Abstract: A graft system for intraluminal delivery in a vessel in need of repair comprising a graft, anchoring means, and a strippable sheath around at least part of the graft. A preferred anchoring means is a balloon-expandable stent. Also included in the invention is a method of using the device to treat a body lumen. The strippable sheath is removable by pulling on a drawstring to remove it which permits expansion of the graft. The positioning of the device may then be adjusted prior to stent dilation. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a bifurcated graft system for intraluminal delivery in an aortic aneurysm comprising a bifurcated graft having a distal region and two legs, an expandable stent disposed in part of the distal region, and a strippable crocheted sheath around the distal region and one of the two legs. The strippable crocheted sheath is removable by untying it to permit expansion of the graft after initial placement within the aneurysm.

Abstract: A graft is provided that is adapted to be secured to a stent surrounding the graft. The graft includes an inner layer of a non-porous material, and an outer layer of material laminated to the inner layer. The graft further includes a plurality of fastening elements adapted to be secured to a stent surrounding the graft. An underside of each fastening element is fixed between the inner layer and the outer layer.

Abstract: A stent comprises a first section and a second section and at least one securement member. The at least one securement member is disposed about at least one region of the first section and at least one region of the second section. The at least one securement member has a crimped diameter that is less than its uncrimped diameter. When the at least one securement member is in the crimped diameter at least a portion of an inner surface of the at least one securement member is fixedly engaged to the at least one region of the first section and the at least one region of the second section. In the crimped diameter the at least one region of the first section and the at least one region of the second section are immediately adjacent one another.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for attachment between intersecting stent members and a covering or graft. The attachment fixes the covering relative to selected intersections of the stent members and prevents the covering from wrinkling, crimping, or sliding during radial expansion of the stent. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment comprises a continuous filament passing through the stent covering and looping around stent members between selected intersections and knotted around the intersecting stent members at selected intersections.

Abstract: A graft system for intraluminal delivery in a vessel in need of repair comprising a graft, anchoring means, and a strippable sheath around at least part of the graft. A preferred anchoring means is a balloon-expandable stent. Also included in the invention is a method of using the device to treat a body lumen. The strippable sheath is removable by pulling on a drawstring to remove it which permits expansion of the graft. The positioning of the device may then be adjusted prior to stent dilation. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes a bifurcated graft system for intraluminal delivery in an aortic aneurysm comprising a bifurcated graft having a distal region and two legs, an expandable stent disposed in part of the distal region, and a strippable crocheted sheath around the distal region and one of the two legs. The strippable crocheted sheath is removable by untying it to permit expansion of the graft after initial placement within the aneurysm.

Abstract: A self-centering blood clot filter is provided. The filter includes an anchoring portion including a generally cylindrical radially expandable body including an axial lumen extending therethrough. The filter further includes a filtering portion including a conical body concentrically aligned within the axial lumen of the anchoring portion. The conical body of the filtering portion is tapered to form a distal tip. As such, the blood clot filter can be properly centered within the lumen of a vessel for effective lysing of blood clots.

Abstract: A candy-like confection which contains a natural sweetener is provided. The confection preferably includes XYLITOL as the natural sweetener and calcium hydroxide which increases the pH level of the saliva in the mouth to reduced the presence of bacteria in the mouth. As a result, resultant tooth decay and associated bad breath are prevented. Vitamins may be added to the confection to enable the simultaneous delivery of vitamins, prevention of tooth decay prevention and bad breath while enjoying a candy-like confection.