Abstract: A stent deployment device comprises an elongate catheter shaft (2), and an inflatable balloon (3). The inflatable balloon (3) is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration part of the longitudinal axis of the balloon (3) is curved in three-dimensional space, and part of the balloon (3) is helically shaped. A stent (6) is movable from a collapsed delivery configuration to a partially expanded intermediate configuration, and subsequently from the intermediate configuration to a fully expanded deployed configuration. In the delivery configuration the longitudinal axis of the stent (6) is straight. The longitudinal axis of the stent (6) may be straight or curved in three-dimensional space in the intermediate configuration. In the deployed configuration the longitudinal axis of the stent (6) is curved in three-dimensional space. The balloon (3) in the expanded configuration exerts force on the stent (6).

Abstract: A stent (1) for deployment in a blood vessel which is movable between an unloaded straight cylindrical state and a loaded curved state. The stent (1) is bendable between a first loaded configuration when the blood vessel is in the unloaded state, and a second loaded configuration when the blood vessel is in the loaded state. The stent (1) has an unloaded configuration which is intermediate the first loaded configuration and the second loaded configuration. Because of the unloaded configuration of the stent (1), the degrees of deformation which the stent (1) undergoes are minimized leading to minimized strains, increased fatigue life, and reduced risk of fracture.

Abstract: A medical device suitable for location in a body lumen is movable between a first loaded configuration and a second loaded configuration. The device has an unloaded configuration which is intermediate the first loaded configuration and the second loaded configuration. The device can be a stent for deployment in a blood vessel.

Abstract: A bristle device for delivery into a body lumen comprises a longitudinally extending stem 1 and a plurality of bristles extending generally outwardly from the stem for anchoring the device in a body lumen. There may be at least two bristle segments and in some cases there are flexible sections between the segments. The flexible sections articulate to enable the device to pass through a catheter placed in a tortuous anatomy or to be deployed in a curved vessel, or across a bifurcation. In some cases at least some of the bristle segments are spaced-apart to accommodate bending of the bristles.

Abstract: A stent suitable for deployment in a blood vessel to support at least part of an internal wall of the blood vessel includes a central section, a first intermediate section, a first end section, a second intermediate section and a section end section. The stent is movable between a delivery configuration and a deployment configuration.

Abstract: A catheter includes a shaft extending from a proximal end to a distal end and a sheath which extends along the length of the catheter shaft. The sheath includes a compliant material and is expansile for fluid delivery from a distal end of the sheath to the proximal end of the catheter. The sheath is connected to a Luer on the proximal end of the catheter. Upon injection of fluid/particles through the Luer, the sheath expands to provide a temporary lumen which facilitates flow of fluid/particles from the proximal end of the catheter to an opening or opening adjacent to the distal end of the sheath and at or near the distal end of the catheter shaft for delivery of the fluid/particles into the vessel. Upon cessation of injection pressure, the sheath automatically contracts to provide a lower profile to easily accommodate repositioning/removal of the catheter.

Abstract: A bristle device (8) for delivery into a body lumen comprises a longitudinally extending stem and a plurality of bristles extending generally outwardly from the stem for anchoring the device in a body lumen. There may beat least two bristle segments (96) and there are flexible sections (95) between the segments (96). The flexible sections (95) articulate to enable the device to pass through a catheter placed in a tortuous anatomy or to be deployed in a curved vessel, or across a bifurcation. In some cases at least some of the bristle segments (96) are spaced-apart to accommodate bending of the bristles.

Abstract: A stent (1) comprises a central section (2), a first intermediate section (3), a first end section (4), a second intermediate section (5), and a second end section (6). The stent (1) is movable between a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded deployment configuration. In the delivery configuration the central section (2), the first intermediate section (3), the first end section (4), the second intermediate section (5), and the second end section (6) are all cylindrically shaped. In the deployment configuration the central section (2) is helically shaped, while the first end section (4) and the second end section (6) remain cylindrically shaped. Each intermediate section (3, 5) acts as a blended region to provide a smooth transition from the helical shape of the central section (2) to the cylindrical shape of the unstented blood vessel. The radial stiffness of the stent (1) varies gradually along part of the length of the stent (1).

Abstract: Provided is a device for delivery into a body lumen having a longitudinally extending stem and a plurality of bristles extending generally radially outwardly from the stem. The device includes at least two different groups or types of bristles.

Abstract: A medical device suitable for location in a body lumen is movable between a first loaded configuration and a second loaded configuration. The device has an unloaded configuration which is intermediate the first loaded configuration and the second loaded configuration. The device can be a stent for deployment in a blood vessel.

Abstract: A stent suitable for deployment in a blood vessel to support at least part of an internal wall of the blood vessel includes plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart annular elements, and a plurality of connecting elements to connect adjacent annular elements. Each connecting element is circumferentially offset from the previous connecting element. Upon application of a load to the stent, the stent moves from an unloaded configuration to a loaded configuration. In the loaded configuration the longitudinal axis of the stent is curved in three-dimensional space. The stent can be helically shaped.

Abstract: A medical device suitable for location in a body lumen is movable between a first loaded configuration and a second loaded configuration. The device has an unloaded configuration which is intermediate the first loaded configuration and the second loaded configuration. The device can be a stent for deployment in a blood vessel.

Abstract: A medical device includes an expandable element for location in a blood vessel. The expandable element is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, at least a part of a longitudinal axis of the expandable element is curved in three-dimensional space. The medical device can be stent deployment device which includes an elongate catheter shaft and an inflatable balloon.

Abstract: A stent suitable for deployment in a blood vessel to support at least part of an internal wall of the blood vessel includes a central section, a first intermediate section, a first end section, a second intermediate section and a section end section. The stent is movable between a delivery configuration and a deployment configuration.

Abstract: A stent (10) suitable for deployment in a blood vessel to support at least part of an internal wall of the blood vessel comprises a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart annular elements (11), and a plurality of connecting elements (12) to connect adjacent annular elements (11). Each connecting element (12) is circumferentially offset from the previous connecting element (12). Upon application of a load to the stent (10), the stent (10) moves from an unloaded configuration to a loaded configuration. In the unloaded configuration the longitudinal axis of the stent (10) is straight, and the stent (10) is cylindrically shaped. In the loaded configuration the longitudinal axis of the stent (10) is curved in three-dimensional space, and the stent (10) is helically shaped.

Abstract: A stent (1) comprises a central section (2), a first intermediate section (3), a first end section (4), a second intermediate section (5), and a second end section (6). The stent (1) is movable between a collapsed delivery configuration and an expanded deployment configuration. In the delivery configuration the central section (2), the first intermediate section (3), the first end section (4), the second intermediate section (5), and the second end section (6) are all cylindrically shaped. In the deployment configuration the central section (2) is helically shaped, while the first end section (4) and the second end section (6) remain cylindrically shaped. Each intermediate section (3, 5) acts as a blended region to provide a smooth transition from the helical shape of the central section (2) to the cylindrical shape of the unstented blood vessel. The radial stiffness of the stent (1) varies gradually along part of the length of the stent (1).

Abstract: A stent deployment device comprises an elongate catheter shaft (2), and an inflatable balloon (3). The inflatable balloon (3) is movable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration part of the longitudinal axis of the balloon (3) is curved in three-dimensional space, and part of the balloon (3) is helically shaped. A stent (6) is movable from a collapsed delivery configuration to a partially expanded intermediate configuration, and subsequently from the intermediate configuration to a fully expanded deployed configuration. In the delivery configuration the longitudinal axis of the stent (6) is straight. The longitudinal axis of the stent (6) may be straight or curved in three-dimensional space in the intermediate configuration. In the deployed configuration the longitudinal axis of the stent (6) is curved in three-dimensional space. The balloon (3) in the expanded configuration exerts force on the stent (6).

Abstract: A stent (1) for deployment in a blood vessel which is movable between an unloaded straight cylindrical state and a loaded curved state. The stent (1) is bendable between a first loaded configuration when the blood vessel is in the unloaded state, and a second loaded configuration when the blood vessel is in the loaded state. The stent (1) has an unloaded configuration which is intermediate the first loaded configuration and the second loaded configuration. Because of the unloaded configuration of the stent (1), the degrees of deformation which the stent (1) undergoes are minimised leading to minimised strains, increased fatigue life, and reduced risk of fracture.