Abstract: A system for flushing a lumen of a medical device to remove air, comprising: a first fluid delivery device adapted to provide a pulsatile flow of a flushing gas from a pressurised source of the flushing gas; a second fluid delivery device adapted to provide a pulsatile flow of a flushing liquid from a source of the flushing liquid; and, at least one fluid coupling for connecting the first fluid delivery device and the second fluid delivery device to the lumen of the medical device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a flushing fixture (300) for flushing a lumen of a catheter, comprising a housing (302) having a catheter entry port (304) and a catheter exit port (306), the catheter entry port being arranged to receive at least a distal part of a catheter (320), wherein the housing defines a flushing chamber (308) that is at least partially fillable with a liquid to thereby submerge the distal part of the catheter (320), wherein the catheter exit port (306) comprises a deformable exit opening (312) that is shaped to conform to a distal tip (324) of the catheter in such a way that the distal tip of the catheter covers the opening in a fluid tight manner, when in use.

Abstract: Apparatus for progressively dilating the lumen of a narrow natural vessel such as an iliac artery and implanting a tubular device enabling access through the dilated lumen to conduct subsequent procedures via the dilated lumen, includes an inflatable integrated balloon locatable at least partially within the tubular device, the tubular device having a length L1 providing a self-expanding tubular body having at least a portion including stents, so that when the integrated balloon is removed the dilated lumen of the natural vessel remains dilated and supported by the tubular device.

Abstract: Apparatus for progressively dilating the lumen of a narrow natural vessel such as an iliac artery and implanting a tubular device enabling access through the dilated lumen to conduct subsequent procedures via the dilated lumen, includes an inflatable integrated balloon locatable at least partially within the tubular device, the tubular device having a length L1 providing a self-expanding tubular body having at least a portion including stents, so that when the integrated balloon is removed the dilated lumen of the natural vessel remains dilated and supported by the tubular device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a false lumen closure assembly for closing a false lumen in a body vessel including a compressed false lumen occluder, a carrier catheter and a retractable sheath. The compressed false lumen occluder includes a stent graft including at least one occlusive barrier across the stent graft to occlude blood flow through an interior of the stent graft. The carrier catheter carries the false lumen occluder and extends from a proximal end proximal of the false lumen occluder to a distal end distal of the false lumen occluder, and passes the false lumen occluder exteriorly of the stent graft. The compressed false lumen occluder and at least part of the carrier catheter are disposed in a lumen of the retractable sheath.

Abstract: Balloon catheters and methods are provided for selectively occluding blood flow into a right atrium of a patient's heart communicating with an inferior vena cava (IVC) and superior vena cava (SVC). In one embodiment, a catheter includes first and second balloons adjacent one another on a distal end of the catheter shaft. During use, the distal end is introduced into the right atrium and positioned such that the first balloon is located within the right atrium. The first balloon is expanded within the right atrium and the catheter shaft directed such that the expanded first balloon engages at least a portion of the IVC to prevent substantial inflow into the right atrium from the IVC. The second balloon is then expanded to limit inflow into the right atrium from the SVC, and a medical procedure is performed within the patient's body.

Abstract: A hybrid endoprosthetic device comprises a stented tubular part and a branched tubular body connected such that a main lumen of the stented tubular part communicates with a main lumen of the branched tubular body. The branched tubular body has multiple branch lumens for connection with natural vessels of the vasculature, and includes at least one branch lumen for access to facilitate delivery and implantation of the hybrid endoprosthetic device by an endovascular step in a hybrid surgical procedure. The hybrid endoprosthetic device is configured to replace a part of the aorta and common iliac artery. A delivery system for use with the device is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for flushing a medical device, comprising a multi-port valve for controlling the delivery of flushing fluids, the multi-port valve connected to a source of pressurised flushing gas; a fluid outlet for coupling flushing fluids to the medical device; and, a gas-driven pump connected to the fluid outlet, wherein, in a first configuration, the multi-port valve couples a flow of gas from the source of pressurised flushing gas to the fluid outlet, and wherein, in a second configuration, the multi-port valve couples a flow of gas from the source of pressurised flushing gas to the gas-driven pump to drive the gas-driven pump thereby to provide a flow of flushing liquid to the fluid outlet.

Abstract: A stent graft for deployment in a curved lumen such as the aortic or thoracic arch comprises a constraining mechanism at its proximal end. A stent provided at the proximal end of the stent graft includes loops of material that co-operate with restraining wires that extend between a central guide wire carrier and a restraining wire cannula. The constraining mechanism acts to maintain the proximal stent constrained at both the proximal and distal ends of the proximal stent. The proximal stent is thus allowed to expand after expansion of the remainder of the stent graft during deployment. In an embodiment, the constraining mechanism acts to constrain two adjacent struts of the proximal stent at three points radially therearound, at the proximal end of the stent and at the distal end of the stent. The proximal stent may then overlap with the interior of an adjacent stent at an inner part of a curved vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for removing air from a medical device, such as a stent-graft and/or its delivery device. In an exemplary embodiment, the stent-graft or its delivery system or both are exposed to perfluorocarbon, by immersing the stent-graft or flushing the delivery device to remove air from the stent-graft. Optionally, the stent-graft and/or delivery system may be flushed multiple times, e.g., with perfluorocarbon before or after flushing with carbon dioxide, saline, a bio-inert gas, and the like. Thereafter, the stent-graft may be introduced into a patient's body and deployed at a target location, such as the site of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Abstract: Methods of reducing air within a stent graft delivery device are disclosed, utilizing various flushing techniques. A port in a manifold that includes a pusher catheter coaxially disposed about a guide wire catheter is flushed. A portion in a sheath hub that excludes a longitudinally extended outer sheath coaxially disposed about the pusher catheter is flushed with a flushing fluid and/or a blood soluble gas, such as carbon dioxide. The guide wire catheter is also flushed.

Abstract: A stent graft for deployment in a curved lumen such as the aortic or thoracic arch comprises a constraining mechanism at its proximal end. A stent provided at the proximal end of the stent graft includes loops of material that co-operate with restraining wires that extend between a central guide wire carrier and a restraining wire cannula. The constraining mechanism acts to maintain the proximal stent constrained at both the proximal and distal ends of the proximal stent. The proximal stent is thus allowed to expand after expansion of the remainder of the stent graft during deployment. In an embodiment, the constraining mechanism acts to constrain two adjacent struts of the proximal stent at three points radially therearound, at the proximal end of the stent and at the distal end of the stent. The proximal stent may then overlap with the interior of an adjacent stent at an inner part of a curved vessel.

Abstract: A stent graft for deployment in a curved lumen such as the aortic or thoracic arch comprises a constraining mechanism at its proximal end. A stent provided at the proximal end of the stent graft includes loops of material that co-operate with restraining wires that extend between a central guide wire carrier and a restraining wire cannula. The constraining mechanism maintains the proximal stent constrained at both of its proximal and distal ends. The proximal stent can then expand after expansion of the remainder of the stent graft during deployment. In an embodiment, the constraining mechanism acts to constrain two adjacent struts of the proximal stent at three points radially therearound, at the proximal end of the stent and at the distal end of the stent. The proximal stent may then overlap with the interior of an adjacent stent at an inner part of a curved vessel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for removing air from a medical device, such as a stent-graft and/or its delivery device. In an exemplary embodiment, the stent-graft or its delivery system or both are exposed to perfluorocarbon, by immersing the stent-graft or flushing the delivery device to remove air from the stent-graft. Optionally, the stent-graft and/or delivery system may be flushed multiple times, e.g., with perfluorocarbon before or after flushing with carbon dioxide, saline, a bio-inert gas, and the like. Thereafter, the stent-graft may be introduced into a patient's body and deployed at a target location, such as the site of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Abstract: Apparatus for progressively dilating the lumen of a narrow natural vessel such as an iliac artery and implanting a tubular device enabling access through the dilated lumen to conduct subsequent procedures via the dilated lumen, includes an inflatable integrated balloon locatable at least partially within the tubular device, the tubular device having a length L1 providing a self-expanding tubular body having at least a portion including stents, so that when the integrated balloon is removed the dilated lumen of the natural vessel remains dilated and supported by the tubular device.

Abstract: Balloon catheters and methods are provided for selectively occluding blood flow into a right atrium of a patient's heart communicating with an inferior vena cava (IVC) and superior vena cava (SVC). In one embodiment, a catheter includes first and second balloons adjacent one another on a distal end of the catheter shaft. During use, the distal end is introduced into the right atrium and positioned such that the first balloon is located within the right atrium. The first balloon is expanded within the right atrium and the catheter shaft directed such that the expanded first balloon engages at least a portion of the IVC to prevent substantial inflow into the right atrium from the IVC. The second balloon is then expanded to limit inflow into the right atrium from the SVC, and a medical procedure is performed within the patient's body.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide an endoluminal prosthesis having a stent-graft portion with a superior end and an inferior end and a graft portion. The graft portion is attached to the stent-graft portion at a junction, and the graft portion extends inferiorly from the junction in a pre-delivery configuration. In a first delivered configuration, the stent-graft portion is radially expanded, and in a second delivered configuration, the graft portion is everted and moved superiorly relative to the pre-delivery configuration. A valve may be attached to the graft portion when the graft portion is in the pre-delivery configuration. When delivered, the stent-graft portion is deployed first, and the graft portion and attached valve are then moved superiorly, with at least a portion of the graft portion extending superiorly beyond the superior end of the stent-graft portion.

Abstract: Balloon catheters and methods are provided for selectively occluding blood flow into a right atrium of a patient's heart communicating with an inferior vena cava (IVC) and superior vena cava (SVC). In one embodiment, a catheter includes first and second balloons adjacent one another on a distal end of the catheter shaft. During use, the distal end is introduced into the right atrium and positioned such that the first balloon is located within the right atrium. The first balloon is expanded within the right atrium and the catheter shaft directed such that the expanded first balloon engages at least a portion of the IVC to prevent substantial inflow into the right atrium from the IVC. The second balloon is then expanded to limit inflow into the right atrium from the SVC, and a medical procedure is performed within the patient's body.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for removing air from a medical device, such as a stent-graft and/or its delivery device. In an exemplary embodiment, the stent-graft or its delivery system or both are exposed to perfluorocarbon, by immersing the stent-graft or flushing the delivery device to remove air from the stent-graft. Optionally, the stent-graft and/or delivery system may be flushed multiple times, e.g., with perfluorocarbon before or after flushing with carbon dioxide, saline, a bio-inert gas, and the like. Thereafter, the stent-graft may be introduced into a patient's body and deployed at a target location, such as the site of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Abstract: A hybrid endoprosthetic device comprises a stented tubular part and a branched tubular body connected such that a main lumen of the stented tubular part communicates with a main lumen of the branched tubular body. The branched tubular body has multiple branch lumens for connection with natural vessels of the vasculature, and includes at least one branch lumen for access to facilitate delivery and implantation of the hybrid endoprosthetic device by an endovascular step in a hybrid surgical procedure. The hybrid endoprosthetic device is configured to replace a part of the aorta and common iliac artery. A delivery system for use with the device is also disclosed.