Abstract: A stent-graft prosthesis for implantation within a body vessel includes a graft material, a frame, and a channel. The graft material includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a graft lumen extending between the proximal and distal ends. The frame is coupled to the graft material. The channel is configured to relieve pressure associated with pulsatile blood flow during implantation of the stent-graft prosthesis within a body vessel. The channel permits blood to flow from an upstream side of the stent-graft prosthesis to a downstream side of the stent-graft prosthesis when the stent-graft prosthesis is in a partially expanded configuration in the body vessel. The channel may be a plurality of channels.

Abstract: A stent-graft has a closed web end configuration in which endmost stent crowns do not extend beyond an end or edge of a tubular graft. In order to couple the stent-graft to tip capture fingers or prongs of a delivery system, the stent-graft includes a ring woven between the endmost crowns of an end stent. When end stent is in a compressed delivery configuration, sections of the ring between adjacent endmost crowns form attachment loops that longitudinally extend beyond the end of the tubular graft for engaging the tip capture fingers of a delivery system. When the end stent is in an expanded fully deployed configuration, the attachment loops retract back to the stent so that the ring is a circular band having a diameter substantially equal to the expanded diameter of the stent.

Abstract: A prosthetic assembly configured for endovascular placement within an aortic arch and method of use thereof. The prosthetic assembly includes a proximal aortic stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned within a proximal portion of the aortic arch adjacent to the brachiocephalic artery, a distal aortic stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned within a distal portion of the aortic arch adjacent to the left subclavian artery, a first branch stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned within the brachiocephalic artery and a second branch stent-graft prosthesis configured to be positioned in one of the left common carotid and the left subclavian artery. When deployed, a proximal end of the first branch stent-graft prosthesis is disposed within a lumen of the proximal aortic stent-graft prosthesis to proximally displace the ostium of the brachiocephalic artery.

Abstract: Embodiments hereof relate to a guidewire formed from an elongated shaft, at least a portion of the shaft having an outer layer, a plurality of channels formed through the outer layer, and an inner core. The outer layer is formed from a material non susceptible to erosion by an erosion agent and the inner core is formed from a radiopaque material susceptible to erosion by the erosion agent. When exposed to the erosion agent, core material adjacent to the channels is removed to form a pattern of integral radiopaque segments or markers with a plurality of voids therebetween. By controlling the location of channels and the rate of erosion of the core material, the pattern of integral radiopaque segments and voids allow for in situ measurement when viewed under fluoroscopy.

Abstract: Stent-graft delivery systems having a tip capture mechanism with a plurality of elongated cables that allow for gradual deployment and repositioning of a stent-graft prosthesis. The tip capture mechanism includes a guiding assembly, a distal tip assembly, and a plurality of cables. In a first relative position, the distal tip assembly extends the guiding assembly to temporarily constrain the distal ends of the cables and an intermediate portion of each cable constrains an endmost crown of the prosthesis. In this first relative position, tension on the cables may be selectively adjusted to allow for both gradual continuous radial expansion and contraction of the endmost crowns of the stent-graft prosthesis. In a second relative position, the distal tip assembly does not extend over the guiding assembly and thus does not constrain the distal ends of the cables, and thereby the cables do not constrain the endmost crowns.

Abstract: A stent-graft has a closed web end configuration in which endmost stent crowns do not extend beyond an end or edge of a tubular graft. In order to couple the stent-graft to tip capture fingers or prongs of a delivery system, the stent-graft includes a ring woven between the endmost crowns of an end stent. When end stent is in a compressed delivery configuration, sections of the ring between adjacent endmost crowns form attachment loops that longitudinally extend beyond the end of the tubular graft for engaging the tip capture fingers of a delivery system. When the end stent is in an expanded fully deployed configuration, the attachment loops retract back to the stent so that the ring is a circular band having a diameter substantially equal to the expanded diameter of the stent.

Abstract: A stent-graft delivery system is disclosed having an outer tubular shaft or sheath with a relatively stiff proximal segment and a distal segment formed from a tubular textile component. The proximal segment being formed from a polymeric tubing and having a distal end attached to a proximal end of the tubular textile component. During tracking of the delivery system through the vasculature, a self-expanding stent-graft is constrained by and within the tubular textile component in a compressed delivery configuration. Upon positioning at a treatment site, such as an aneurysm, retraction of the outer tubular shaft proximally slides the tubular textile component over the stent-graft to expose and deploy the stent-graft. The tubular textile component may be made from strands of one or more biocompatible materials that have been formed into a textile by weaving, braiding, knitting, crocheting, felting or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A stent-graft has a closed web end configuration in which endmost stent crowns do not extend beyond an end or edge of a tubular graft. In order to couple the stent-graft to tip capture fingers or prongs of a delivery system, the stent-graft includes a ring woven between the endmost crowns of an end stent. When end stent is in a compressed delivery configuration, sections of the ring between adjacent endmost crowns form attachment loops that longitudinally extend beyond the end of the tubular graft for engaging the tip capture fingers of a delivery system. When the end stent is in an expanded fully deployed configuration, the attachment loops retract back to the stent so that the ring is a circular band having a diameter substantially equal to the expanded diameter of the stent.

Abstract: Stent-graft delivery systems having a tip capture mechanism with a plurality of elongated cables that allow for gradual deployment and repositioning of a stent-graft prosthesis. The tip capture mechanism includes a guiding assembly, a distal tip assembly, and a plurality of cables. In a first relative position, the distal tip assembly extends the guiding assembly to temporarily constrain the distal ends of the cables and an intermediate portion of each cable constrains an endmost crown of the prosthesis. In this first relative position, tension on the cables may be selectively adjusted to allow for both gradual continuous radial expansion and contraction of the endmost crowns of the stent-graft prosthesis. In a second relative position, the distal tip assembly does not extend over the guiding assembly and thus does not constrain the distal ends of the cables, and thereby the cables do not constrain the endmost crowns.

Abstract: A stent-graft has a closed web end configuration in which endmost stent crowns do not extend beyond an end or edge of a tubular graft. In order to couple the stent-graft to tip capture fingers or prongs of a delivery system, the stent-graft includes a ring woven between the endmost crowns of an end stent. When end stent is in a compressed delivery configuration, sections of the ring between adjacent endmost crowns form attachment loops that longitudinally extend beyond the end of the tubular graft for engaging the tip capture fingers of a delivery system. When the end stent is in an expanded fully deployed configuration, the attachment loops retract back to the stent so that the ring is a circular band having a diameter substantially equal to the expanded diameter of the stent.

Abstract: Embodiments hereof relate to a guidewire formed from an elongated shaft, at least a portion of the shaft having an outer layer, a plurality of channels formed through the outer layer, and an inner core. The outer layer is formed from a material non susceptible to erosion by an erosion agent and the inner core is formed from a radiopaque material susceptible to erosion by the erosion agent. When exposed to the erosion agent, core material adjacent to the channels is removed to form a pattern of integral radiopaque segments or markers with a plurality of voids therebetween. By controlling the location of channels and the rate of erosion of the core material, the pattern of integral radiopaque segments and voids allow for in situ measurement when viewed under fluoroscopy.

Abstract: A computer memory system (20) which comprises a media module (22); a host computer (24) configured to accommodate the media module (22) in removable fashion; and a display unit (26). The media module (22) is configured to store electronic data. The host computer (24) comprises a docking station (30) configured to accommodate the media module (22); an interface (32) through which electronic signals representing the electronic data are transmitted between the host computer (24) and the media module (22); an optical indicator (34); and a host processor (36). The host processor (36) is configured to control a read/write operation over the interface between the host computer (24) and the media module (22) and to activate the optical indicator (34) whereby the optical indicator (34) provides a first optical signal depicting transmission of electronic signals over the interface in the read/write operation.

Abstract: A prosthesis comprises a tubular member that defines an inner lumen and has an inner surface and an outer surface, an outer member secured to the tubular member and covering at least a portion of the tubular member outer surface and forming an outer chamber therewith, and at least one valve in the tubular member to regulate or control fluid flow between the tubular member lumen and the chamber.

Abstract: A computer memory system (20) which comprises a media module (22); a host computer (24) configured to accommodate the media module (22) in removable fashion; and a display unit (26). The media module (22) is configured to store electronic data. The host computer (24) comprises a docking station (30) configured to accommodate the media module (22); an interface (32) through which electronic signals representing the electronic data are transmitted between the host computer (24) and the media module (22); an optical indicator (34); and a host processor (36). The host processor (36) is configured to control a read/write operation over the interface between the host computer (24) and the media module (22) and to activate the optical indicator (34) whereby the optical indicator (34) provides a first optical signal depicting transmission of electronic signals over the interface in the read/write operation.

Abstract: A stent-graft delivery system is disclosed having an outer tubular shaft or sheath with a relatively stiff proximal segment and a distal segment formed from a tubular textile component. The proximal segment being formed from a polymeric tubing and having a distal end attached to a proximal end of the tubular textile component. During tracking of the delivery system through the vasculature, a self-expanding stent-graft is constrained by and within the tubular textile component in a compressed delivery configuration. Upon positioning at a treatment site, such as an aneurysm, retraction of the outer tubular shaft proximally slides the tubular textile component over the stent-graft to expose and deploy the stent-graft. The tubular textile component may be made from strands of one or more biocompatible materials that have been formed into a textile by weaving, braiding, knitting, crocheting, felting or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A prosthesis delivery system comprises a tip having a lumen, a first end and a second end; a sleeve coupled to the tip second end; a spindle comprising a spindle body and a plurality of projections extending radially outward from the spindle body, each projection having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge facing the tip and the second edge extending from the first edge, being angled toward the tip first end, and extending toward the sleeve; and endoprosthesis having an undulating spring with a plurality of crown portions having apices, where the crown portions extend over at least one of the first or second edges and the sleeve radially constrains the apices.

Abstract: A structure and method for deploying an eyelet in a membrane, where the eyelet includes: a waist section; a first anchor section coupled to and flared from the waist section; and a second anchor section coupled to and flared from the waist section. The eyelet is deployed such that the waist section is located within a membrane opening of the membrane thus keeping the membrane opening open. Further, the membrane is sandwiched between the first and second anchor sections thus anchoring the eyelet to the membrane.

Abstract: A structure and method for deploying an eyelet in a membrane, where the eyelet includes: a waist section; a first anchor section coupled to and flared from the waist section; and a second anchor section coupled to and flared from the waist section. The eyelet is deployed such that the waist section is located within a membrane opening of the membrane thus keeping the membrane opening open. Further, the membrane is sandwiched between the first and second anchor sections thus anchoring the eyelet to the membrane.

Abstract: The invention provides a system for treating a vascular condition, a method of manufacturing the system, and a method for using the system to deliver a therapeutic agent to a desired location in a bodily vessel. The system comprises a tubular inner member received in a lumen of an elongated catheter shaft and extending beyond a distal end of the catheter shaft. The system includes at least one inflatable balloon positioned between distal and proximal perfusion ports. At least a portion of the balloon is disposed on the inner member, at least a portion of the inner member underlying the balloon having a wall thickness between about 0.0015 inch and 0.0025 inch and an inner diameter between about 0.020 inch and 0.040 inch. A stent is removably coupled to the balloon. A therapeutic agent is disposed on at least a portion of the stent.