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: 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 (18) for deployment in a curved lumen such as the aortic or thoracic arch (130) comprises a constraining mechanism at its proximal end. A stent (4?) provided at the proximal end of the stent graft (18) includes loops of material (11) that co-operate with restraining wires (42) that extend between a central guide wire carrier (24) and a restraining wire cannula (8). The constraining mechanism acts to maintain the proximal stent (4?) constrained at three points around its circumference at both the proximal and distal ends of the proximal stent (4?). The proximal stent (4?) is thus allowed to expand after expansion of the remainder of the stent graft (18) during deployment. In an embodiment, the constraining mechanism acts to constrain two adjacent struts of the proximal stent (4?) at three points radially therearound, at the proximal end of the stent (4?) and at the distal end of the stent (4?).

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: Systems and methods are provided for degassing a medical device. In one embodiment, a flushing device is provided that includes a tubular member including first and second ends and a chamber therein. First and second ports are spaced apart from one another along the tubular member and communicate with the chamber. One or more sources of flushing fluid are connectable to the first and/or second ports to create a flushing circuit, e.g., delivering flushing fluid into the first port, through the chamber, and out the second port to remove air or other gases from the chamber. An introducing assembly carrying a stent-graft may be introduced into the chamber, flushed, and then transferred to a delivery device. 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: 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: An implantable medical device (30) for treating aortic dissections includes a stent graft part (34) having a bulbous section (48) of greater radial diameter than the radial diameter of first and second sections (60,62) of the stent graft part (34). The bulbous section (48) is able to close off the false lumen (10) of an aortic dissection, thereby to prevent any fluid backflow into the false lumen (10). Radiopaque markers (70) may be provided for orientation and deployment purposes. The device (30) is able to treat chronic dissections and reduce false lumen backflow, which remains otherwise an unresolved issue in the endovascular treatment of false lumen aneurysms.

Abstract: A stent-graft (100) is provided with a tightenable loop element (104) having a first end terminated in a slip knot or self-tightening knot (112) and a second end which is received in and can slide in the knot (112). The knot (112) is tied by a suture to the stent-graft (100) so as to be fixed thereto. The loop (104) is fitted to the stent-graft (100) in a manner as to pass between the inside to the outside of the graft material and in such a manner that controlled curvature of the stent-graft (100) is possible, in particular control of the overlapping of adjacent stents held within the zone of the loop (104). An introducer assembly is also disclosed which includes a control cannula (120) able to the fixed to the stent-graft (100) during the deployment procedure, as well as a mechanism of suture loops (150, 152) at the proximal end of the stent-graft (100) for retaining this in a constricted form during the process of curving the latter during the deployment process.

Abstract: A stent-graft (100) is provided with a tightenable loop element (122) having a first end terminated in a self-tightening knot (142) and a second end (138) which is received in and can slide in the knot (142). The loop (122) is fitted to the stent-graft (100) in a manner as to cause curvature of the stent-graft (100) upon tightening of the loop. An introducer assembly is also disclosed which includes a cannula (132, 150) within which a pull cord (136) and release wire (134) are located.

Abstract: A stent graft (18) for deployment in a curved lumen such as the aortic or thoracic arch (130) comprises a constraining mechanism at its proximal end. A stent (4?) provided at the proximal end of the stent graft (18) includes loops of material (11) that co-operate with restraining wires (42) that extend between a central guide wire carrier (24) and a restraining wire cannula (8). The constraining mechanism acts to maintain the proximal stent (4?) constrained at three points around its circumference at both the proximal and distal ends of the proximal stent (4?). The proximal stent (4?) is thus allowed to expand after expansion of the remainder of the stent graft (18) during deployment. In an embodiment, the constraining mechanism acts to constrain two adjacent struts of the proximal stent (4?) at three points radially therearound, at the proximal end of the stent (4?) and at the distal end of the stent (4?).