Abstract: A method, including assembling a plurality of expansion rings to a lumen of the braided stent body, the lumen of the braided stent body being formed by a plurality of braided members, each expansion ring comprising a frame defined by a plurality of interconnected support assemblies comprising a plurality of legs joined at a first intersection and connected to one of the other interconnected support assemblies at a second intersection opposite the first intersection, the legs being twistable about the first and second intersections; and a claw portion disposed opposite the first and second intersections.

Abstract: A method for implanting a stent by providing an implantation system including a catheter, an expandable element, and a delivery wire, moving a first portion of the expandable element to exit the catheter, and maintaining a second portion of the expandable element within the catheter to establish a partially implanted configuration. Then moving the delivery wire independent of the expandable element in the partially implanted configuration, and enlarging a circumference of the expandable element in response to the moving the delivery wire.

Abstract: A vascular flow diverter includes a tubular mesh framework which includes a mesh cover and an opening. The tubular mesh framework is collapsible and configured to expand from a collapsed shape to a tubular shape when the vascular flow diverter is deployed. The mesh cover conforms to the shape of the tubular mesh, is surrounded by the tubular mesh framework, and is less porous than the tubular mesh framework. The opening is located within the mesh cover. A delivery wire passes through the opening in order to guide the flow diverter into place over an aneurysm.

Abstract: A method is disclosed, including joining a balloon to a resilient inner body of a balloon assist device, the balloon comprising an axial length shorter than an axial length of the inner body; expanding a slit in the resilient inner body of the balloon assist device; inserting a catheter through the slit; and releasing the slit to contract the balloon assist device around the catheter.

Abstract: Methods of making an implant for medical use, having a body formed of a plurality of single strands of a first material. The body further includes at least one multi-strand of radiopaque material incorporated among the single strands, the multi-strand having at least two side-by-side filaments of radiopaque material that lie substantially contiguous to each other over substantially the entire length of the multi-strand.

Abstract: Vascular access system such as for radial artery access. An assembled integral dedicated unit including a guide catheter receivable within a lumen of an introducer sheath. The introducer sheath has a sidewall distal section, a sidewall proximal section and a sidewall transition section at an interface therebetween. An outer diameter of the sidewall distal section is less than an outer diameter of the sidewall proximal section. A method for using the vascular access system includes preparation for introduction through an access site, while radially supported by the guide catheter, sliding the introducer sheath over the guide catheter to the distal end to form the assembled integral dedicated unit. Back-loading in a proximal direction starting from a distal end of the assembled integral dedicated unit with the guidewire until the introducer sheath extends from an interior of the vessel to exteriorly of the access site.

Abstract: A system is provided to effectively position a stent within a vessel. The system includes a delivery catheter and a core wire extend through the catheter. The core wire includes an engaging surface region and a capture member disposed thereon, which cooperate to engage a stent such that the stent is able to be advanced or retracted with the advancement or retraction of the core wire. The engaging surface region and the capture member can generally be configured to engage the stent when a portion of the stent is disposed within the lumen of the catheter, and release the stent when no portion of the stent is within the lumen.

Abstract: A balloon assist device is disclosed which includes an inner body and a balloon bonded to the inner body. The inner body extends along an axis from a proximal end to a distal end and the cross-section of the inner body partially encloses the axis. The balloon assist device also includes an inflation tube in sealed communication with the volume enclosed by the inner body and the sheath. The balloon assist device may also include a pusher for sliding the balloon assist device along the catheter. The pusher may extend parallel to the axis from the proximal end of the balloon assist device in a proximal direction. The inflation tube may also be used as a pusher. The inner body of the balloon assist device may be a split cylinder extending along the axis from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: A capture tube mechanism for delivering and releasing a self-expanding stent includes a core wire on which a proximal portion of the stent is removably retained by a distal portion of a tubular capture sleeve. In one embodiment, one or more elongated members extending through corresponding apertures through the capture sleeve and out the distal end of the capture sleeve can be pulled to split the tubular capture sleeve to release the stent. In another embodiment, the capture sleeve can be pulled proximally over one or more stop members provided on the core wire to release the stent.

Abstract: A braid implant delivery and retraction device having a catheter, an expandable element and a delivery wire with distal, pusher, and recapture bumps. The expandable element having compressed, partially delivered, and implanted configurations. Delivering the braid can include engaging the distal bump till the braid is in the partially delivered configuration. If the user needs to recapture the braid, the recapture bump engages the braid proximally. To fully implant the braid, the distal bump is used until the braid is partially delivered and the distal bump disengages, now the pusher bump completes implanting by proximally pushing the braid completely out of the catheter.

Abstract: A self-expanding braided stent includes at least a distal radial expansion ring added to a distal end of the stent body to increase a radial expansion force of the self-expanding braided stent in deployment of the stent, and to facilitate advancement of the stent through a delivery sheath by a core advancement wire. A proximal radial expansion ring is optionally added to a proximal end of the stent body to allow the stent to be recaptured following partial deployment by retraction of the core advancement wire, prior to full deployment of a proximal portion of the stent body.

Abstract: A method of treating an aneurysm, including determining a diameter associated with a vessel having the aneurysm; selecting one of a plurality of braided implants for treating the vessel, wherein each braided implant comprises a porosity substantially consistent over up to a 1 mm diameter range, each braided implant configured to provide consistent porosity over different diameter ranges; and treating the vessel with the one of the plurality of braided implants.

Abstract: A method for implanting a stent by providing an implantation system including a catheter, an expandable element, and a delivery wire, moving a first portion of the expandable element to exit the catheter, and maintaining a second portion of the expandable element within the catheter to establish a partially implanted configuration. Then moving the delivery wire independent of the expandable element in the partially implanted configuration, and enlarging a circumference of the expandable element in response to the moving the delivery wire.

Abstract: A braided implant configured as a flow diverter for treating an aneurysm. The implant can include a braided mesh configured to maintain a substantially consistent target porosity over up to a 1 mm vessel diameter range over a predetermined length in a tapered vessel.

Abstract: A braided implant configured as a flow diverter for treating an aneurysm. The implant can include a braided mesh configured to maintain a substantially consistent target porosity over up to a 1 mm vessel diameter range over a predetermined length in a tapered vessel.

Abstract: A balloon assist device is disclosed which includes an inner body and a balloon bonded to the inner body. The inner body extends along an axis from a proximal end to a distal end and the cross-section of the inner body partially encloses the axis. The balloon assist device also includes an inflation tube in sealed communication with the volume enclosed by the inner body and the sheath. The balloon assist device may also include a pusher for sliding the balloon assist device along the catheter. The pusher may extend parallel to the axis from the proximal end of the balloon assist device in a proximal direction. The inflation tube may also be used as a pusher. The inner body of the balloon assist device may be a split cylinder extending along the axis from the proximal end to the distal end.

Abstract: A self-expanding braided stent includes at least a distal radial expansion ring added to a distal end of the stent body to increase a radial expansion force of the self-expanding braided stent in deployment of the stent, and to facilitate advancement of the stent through a delivery sheath by a core advancement wire. A proximal radial expansion ring is optionally added to a proximal end of the stent body to allow the stent to be recaptured following partial deployment by retraction of the core advancement wire, prior to full deployment of a proximal portion of the stent body.

Abstract: An expandable element having a distal anchor member at a distal end, a proximal anchor member at a proximal end, and a braided intermediate portion can be delivered to a treatment site through a catheter by a delivery wire having a first, distal bump that can be translated distally to push the distal anchor distally and release the distal anchor upon exiting a distal end of the catheter, a shaped segment that can be moved to apply a radial force from within the braided intermediate portion to expand the braided intermediate portion, and a second, proximal bump that can be translated distally to push the proximal anchor distally and expel the expandable element from the catheter. The delivery wire can also have a third, recapture bump positioned between the proximal and distal bumps that can be translated proximally to retract a partially implanted expandable element into the catheter.

Abstract: A braided stent system includes a stent body having a lumen formed by a plurality of braided members with interstices formed therebetween and a first expansion ring connected to the lumen of the stent body. The first expansion ring may include a frame defined by a plurality of interconnected support assemblies that are selectively positioned to impart an outwardly expanding radial force to the stent body, each support assembly can include a plurality of legs joined at a first intersection and connected to one of the other interconnected support assemblies at a second intersection opposite the first intersection. Each support assembly can include a claw portion mechanically connected to one or more of the interstices of the stent body so that the frame imparts an outward radial expansion force of the stent to facilitate use and delivery of the stent.

Abstract: A braid implant delivery and retraction device having a catheter, an expandable element and a delivery wire with distal, pusher, and recapture bumps. The expandable element having compressed, partially delivered, and implanted configurations. Delivering the braid can include engaging the distal bump till the braid is in the partially delivered configuration. If the user needs to recapture the braid, the recapture bump engages the braid proximally. To fully implant the braid, the distal bump is used until the braid is partially delivered and the distal bump disengages, now the pusher bump completes implanting by proximally pushing the braid completely out of the catheter.