Abstract: A bypass graft incorporates fixation mechanisms at its opposite ends, for securing these ends to different locations along a blood vessel, or alternatively to different locations wherein one of the locations is a different vessel or an organ defining a cavity. Mechanical fixation features such as collets or grommets can be employed, enhanced by delivery of an electrical current sufficient to heat surrounding tissue to form a thermal bond. A graft deployment system includes a tissue dilator and a needle for perforating tissue, mounted coaxially within the dilator. Intralumenal systems further include a catheter for containing the dilator.

Abstract: A bypass graft incorporates fixation mechanisms at its opposite ends, for securing these ends to different locations along a blood vessel, or alternatively to different locations wherein one of the locations is a different vessel or an organ defining a cavity. Mechanical fixation features such as collets or grommets can be employed, enhanced by delivery of an electrical current sufficient to heat surrounding tissue to form a thermal bond. A graft deployment system includes a tissue dilator and a needle for perforating tissue, mounted coaxially within the dilator. Intralumenal systems further include a catheter for containing the dilator.

Abstract: A deployment device for stents and grafts includes a catheter, an expansion framework or cage near the catheter distal end, and a means for controlling expansion from a proximal end of the catheter. The cage is formed of a plurality of elongate strands coupled at opposite ends to the catheter and to the control device. Axial movement of the control device relative to the catheter either elongates the strands to radially collapse the cage, or axially reduces the distance between the strand ends for radial enlargement. In one embodiment the control device is a stylet contained in a lumen of the catheter and extending beyond the catheter distal end. The strands are fixed at their opposite ends to the catheter distal end and the stylet distal end. In another embodiment, the strands are coupled to proximal and distal rings along the catheter, with one of the rings being axially movable by a wire to radially expand and reduce the cage.

Abstract: A resilient graft construction incorporates a structural layer formed of a resilient body compatible metal or polymer, and a fluid impervious layer of graft material secured to the structural layer. The structural layer includes an elongate longitudinal primary section, and secondary sections extended transversely from opposite sides of the primary section. The secondary sections can be arranged in opposed pairs, or staggered. The secondary sections further can be tapered in width, thickness or both. The grafts can be constructed by stamping or otherwise severing structural layer patterns from a flat sheet of structural material, then thermally setting the structural layers when they are wrapped about a mandril to determine a relaxed-state curvature. Opposed longitudinal edges either can overlap one another or be spaced apart from one another in the relaxed state. According to one alternative, the structural layer alone functions as a stent.

Abstract: A bypass graft incorporates fixation mechanisms at its opposite ends, for securing these ends to different locations along a blood vessel, or alternatively to different locations wherein one of the locations is a different vessel or an organ defining a cavity. Mechanical fixation features such as collets or grommets can be employed, enhanced by delivery of an electrical current sufficient to heat surrounding tissue to form a thermal bond. A graft deployment system includes a tissue dilator and a needle for perforating tissue, mounted coaxially within the dilator. Intralumenal systems further include a catheter for containing the dilator.