Abstract: A wear resistant pipe fitting includes an inlet end in fluid communication, in use, with a first linear pipe segment, and an outlet end in fluid communication, in use, with a second linear pipe segment. The pipe fitting includes a first eccentric reducer arranged to receive a slurry or pipeline fluid from the first linear pipe section and deliver the slurry or pipeline fluid to a second eccentric reducer; the second eccentric reducer arranged to receive the slurry or fluid from the first eccentric reducer and deliver the slurry or pipeline fluid to the second linear pipe section; and, a flow interrupter device is positioned within the first eccentric reducer for disrupting the flow of the slurry or pipeline fluid before the slurry or fluid enters the second eccentric reducer.

Abstract: A catheter includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion including an arcuate portion. The catheter further includes a rotating portion, the rotating portion connecting the proximal portion and distal portion, the rotating portion including a first piece and a second piece, wherein the first piece and second piece create a snap fit. Methods of using the catheter include threading the inserted catheter through the vasculature and allowing the distal portion to freely rotate about an axis defined by the rotating portion responsive to any tortuosity in the vasculature.

Abstract: Methods for ameliorating stent graft migration and endoleak using treatment site-specific cell growth promoting compositions in combination with stent grafts are disclosed. Also disclosed are application of cell growth promoting compositions such as, but not limited to, autologous platelet gel compositions directly to treatment sites during or after stent graft implantation.

Abstract: A wear resistant pipe fitting having an inlet end in fluid communication, in use, with a first linear pipe segment, and an outlet end in fluid communication, in use, with a second linear pipe segment is disclosed. The pipe fitting includes a first eccentric reducer arranged to receive a slurry or pipeline fluid from the first linear pipe section and deliver the slurry or pipeline fluid to a second eccentric reducer; the second eccentric reducer arranged to receive the slurry or fluid from the first eccentric reducer and deliver the slurry or pipeline fluid to the second linear pipe section; and, a flow interrupter device positioned within the first eccentric reducer for disrupting the flow of the slurry or pipeline fluid before the slurry or fluid enters the second eccentric reducer.

Abstract: A drug elution stent includes a stent framework and a drug elution portion disposed on the stent framework. The drug elution portion includes a first sugar layer disposed on the stent framework, at least one therapeutic agent layer disposed on the first sugar layer and a second sugar layer disposed on the at least one therapeutic agent layer. A method of manufacturing a drug elution stent includes the steps of providing a stent having a stent framework and coating at least a portion of the stent framework with a drug elution portion. The drug elution portion includes a first sugar layer disposed on the stent framework, at least one therapeutic agent layer disposed on the first sugar layer and a second sugar layer disposed on the at least one therapeutic agent layer.

Abstract: Universal modular stented graft assemblies are assembled, on site, and often in a patient's parent artery, from at least two components; a first component and a second component. The first and second components each include a window, or fenestration. The second component couples with the first component by fitting at least partially in the first component to form the universal modular stent graft assembly with an adjustable collateral opening. As the first and second components are assembled, the first and second components are adjusted relative to each other so that the first and second component windows overlap to form a collateral opening whose size is selectable, depending on the overlap, with the desired position and dimensions in the universal modular stent graft assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering and retaining a leadless medical implant to tissue, wherein a docking base and the implant are sequentially delivered to an implantation site. In a first stage, the docking base is delivered and deployed into tissue at an implantation site. In a second stage, the implant is navigated through the vasculature and coupled to the docking base. Various mechanisms for navigating the implant to the previously implanted docking base and coupling the implant thereto are described. Navigational mechanisms include advancing the implant over a proximally extending wire portion that is releasably attached to the previously implanted docking base, utilizing fluoroscopic visualization to guide the implant to a previously implanted docking base that is at least partially radiopaque and utilizing electromagnetism to guide the implant to a previously implanted docking base that is electro-magnetizable.

Abstract: Systems and methods of delivering and retaining a leadless medical implant to tissue, wherein a docking base and the implant are sequentially delivered to an implantation site. In a first stage, the docking base is delivered and deployed into tissue at an implantation site. In a second stage, the implant is navigated through the vasculature and coupled to the docking base. Various mechanisms for navigating the implant to the previously implanted docking base and coupling the implant thereto are described. Navigational mechanisms include advancing the implant over a proximally extending wire portion that is releasably attached to the previously implanted docking base, utilizing fluoroscopic visualization to guide the implant to a previously implanted docking base that is at least partially radiopaque and utilizing electromagnetism to guide the implant to a previously implanted docking base that is electro-magnetizable.

Abstract: A catheter includes a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion including an arcuate portion. The catheter further includes a rotating portion, the rotating portion connecting the proximal portion and distal portion, the rotating portion including a first piece and a second piece, wherein the first piece and second piece create a snap fit. Methods of using the catheter include threading the inserted catheter through the vasculature and allowing the distal portion to freely rotate about an axis defined by the rotating portion responsive to any tortuosity in the vasculature.

Abstract: An intravascular delivery catheter includes a middle member or manipulator to ameliorate the effect of buckling of the graft cover during the tracking or positioning of the delivery device within a body flow lumen to deploy an exclusion device, such a stent graft. The delivery device/catheter includes a region or regions of lower resistance to bending than other portions of the delivery device, which are positioned, within the delivery device, to preferentially bend the delivery system at locations where buckling will have minimal effect upon the deployment of the exclusion device from the delivery system.

Abstract: A drug elution stent includes a stent framework and a drug elution portion disposed on the stent framework. The drug elution portion includes a first sugar layer disposed on the stent framework, at least one therapeutic agent layer disposed on the first sugar layer and a second sugar layer disposed on the at least one therapeutic agent layer. A method of manufacturing a drug elution stent includes the steps of providing a stent having a stent framework and coating at least a portion of the stent framework with a drug elution portion.

Abstract: Universal modular stented graft assemblies are assembled, on site, and often in a patient's parent artery, from at least two components; a first component and a second component. The first and second components each include a window, or fenestration. The second component couples with the first component by fitting at least partially in the first component to form the universal modular stent graft assembly with an adjustable collateral opening. As the first and second components are assembled, the first and second components are adjusted relative to each other so that the first and second component windows overlap to form a collateral opening whose size is selectable, depending on the overlap, with the desired position and dimensions in the universal modular stent graft assembly.

Abstract: Universal modular stented graft assemblies are assembled, on site, and often in a patient's parent artery, from at least two components; a first component and a second component. The first and second components each include a window, or fenestration. The second component couples with the first component by fitting at least partially in the first component to form the universal modular stent graft assembly with an adjustable collateral opening. As the first and second components are assembled, the first and second components are adjusted relative to each other so that the first and second component windows overlap to form a collateral opening whose size is selectable, depending on the overlap, with the desired position and dimensions in the universal modular stent graft assembly.

Abstract: A system for treating abnormalities of the cardiovascular system includes a stent having a plurality of therapeutic agent-carrying regions and non therapeutic agent-carrying regions. The therapeutic agent-carrying regions are located within low strain regions of the stent and the non therapeutic agent-carrying regions are located within high strain regions of the stent. Another embodiment of the invention includes a method of manufacturing a therapeutic agent-carrying stent comprising forming a stent framework and applying a formulation containing one or more therapeutic agents to the stent framework while preventing the therapeutic agents from contacting the high strain regions of the stent framework.

Abstract: Methods for ameliorating stent graft migration and endoleak using treatment site-specific cell growth promoting compositions in combination with stent grafts are disclosed. Also disclosed are application of cell growth promoting compositions such as, but not limited to, autologous platelet gel compositions directly to treatment sites during or after stent graft implantation.

Abstract: A stent graft includes a pair of generally opposed windows alignable with the superior mesentery artery, the celiac trunk and separated by graft material. A stent is provided spanning the window and in contact with the adjacent graft material and the stent presses the adjacent graft material into engagement with the adjacent wall of the flow lumen. A branch graft connection into the renal arteries may also be provided.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthetic assembly includes a trunk body including first and second elongated branches. The trunk body and elongated branches include a bifurcated body lumen formed therein. The assembly further includes an extension cuff including a cuff branch and an access port. The extension cuff, cuff branch, and access port include a bifurcated cuff lumen formed therein. A portion of the extension cuff is retainably positioned within the trunk body. A portion of the cuff branch is retainably positioned within one of the elongated branches. The cuff lumen is in communication with the body lumen. A method of extending an endoluminal prosthetic assembly deployed in a bifurcated vessel is also provided. The assembly includes a trunk body including first and second elongated branches. A portion of a compressed extension cuff is positioned within the trunk body and the first elongated branch. The compressed extension cuff is expanded into operable engagement with the trunk body and the first elongated branch.

Abstract: An intravascular delivery catheter includes a middle member or manipulator to ameliorate the effect of buckling of the graft cover during the tracking or positioning of the delivery device within a body flow lumen to deploy an exclusion device, such a stent graft. The delivery device/catheter includes a region or regions of lower resistance to bending than other portions of the delivery device, which are positioned, within the delivery device, to preferentially bend the delivery system at locations where buckling will have minimal effect upon the deployment of the exclusion device from the delivery system.

Abstract: Methods and devices for ameliorating stent graft migration and endoleak using treatment site-specific cell growth promoting compositions in combination with stent grafts are disclosed. Also disclosed is coating of autologous growth factor compositions onto stent grafts prior to stent graft implantation. Additional embodiments include stent grafts having autologous growth factor composition coatings useful for treating aneurysms.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for aiding aneurysm repair are provided. Such apparatus is constructed to support or bolster the aneurysmal site initially, while contracting if the aneurysmal site shrinks or contracts. The apparatus also supplies a pharmaceutical agent to aid in healing the surrounding aneurysmal tissue. The apparatus may comprise a drug eluting polymer or may have a passive coating which can be selectively deployed by adding an activation agent after deployment. The device can be used alone or in conjunction with a AAA stent graft that isolates the aneurysmal sac from the vascular system.