Abstract: A stent graft (2) for treatment of an emergency rupture of, for instance, the aorta adjacent the aortic bifurcation. The stent graft comprising a tubular body (8) with a bifurcation (10) in the tubular body defining a first long leg (12) and a second short leg (14). The second leg has a valve arrangement (18) to prevent fluid flow through the second leg from the stent graft. The valve can be opened from external of the stent graft for the placement of a leg extension stent graft (90) therethrough.

Abstract: A curve forming stent graft for curved vessels such as the thoracic arch. The stent graft has a tubular body zig zag self expanding stents fastened to and supporting the tubular body. The zig zag self expanding stents comprising struts and points between adjacent struts thereby defining proximal end points and distal end points. A temporary diameter constriction arrangement associated with the least some of the plurality of zig zag self expanding stents comprises a pair of adjacent distal end points being releasably retained adjacent each other whereby at rest the tubular body of the stent graft is in a substantially sawtooth form and when released in a curved configuration a distal end point of a stent overlaps a proximal end point of a distally adjacent stent to facilitate curvature of the stent graft in a curved vessel.

Abstract: A reinforcing and marker ring for a stent graft is disclosed. The reinforcing and marker ring comprises a plurality of turns of a substantially inextensible resilient wire in a circular shape and terminal ends at each end of the wire. The terminal ends each comprise a loop, each loop attachable to a stent graft having an opening or a fenestration so as to substantially lock a peripheral length of the circular shape. A marker winding is wound helically around the reinforcing wire, the marker winding being viewable on an image display system employing electromagnetic radiation so as to indicate the location of a periphery of the fenestration. The circular shape of the resilient wire, with the marker winding wound around it, is collapsible under radial pressure to form a squashed circular shape for loading into a delivery device, the squashed circular shape self-expandable back to a substantially circular shape upon release from the delivery device.

Abstract: A pre-loaded stent graft delivery device and stent graft, the stent graft delivery device. The stent graft has at least one fenestration or side arm and the fenestration is preloaded with an indwelling guide wire. Indwelling access sheaths are provided within auxiliary lumens of a pusher catheter and dilators are preloaded into the access sheaths along with the indwelling guide wire. A handle assembly at a distal end of the guide wire catheter. The handle includes a multiport manifold with access ports to the auxiliary lumens in the pusher catheter. Upon deployment of the stent graft into the vasculature of a patient, the indwelling guide wire can be used to facilitate cathertisation of a side branch or target vessel through the fenestration or be used to stabilise the access sheath during catheterisation, advancement of the access sheath into the target vessel and deployment of a covered or uncovered stent therein through the access sheath.

Abstract: A curve forming stent graft for curved vessels such as the thoracic arch. The stent graft has a tubular body zig zag self expanding stents fastened to and supporting the tubular body. The zig zag self expanding stents comprising struts and points between adjacent struts thereby defining proximal end points and distal end points. A temporary diameter constriction arrangement associated with the least some of the plurality of zig zag self expanding stents comprises a pair of adjacent distal end points being releasably retained adjacent each other whereby at rest the tubular body of the stent graft is in a substantially sawtooth form and when released in a curved configuration a distal end point of a stent overlaps a proximal end point of a distally adjacent stent to facilitate curvature of the stent graft in a curved vessel.

Abstract: A stent graft (10) has a tubular body (12) of a biocompatible material and at least one fenestration (18, 20). The or each fenestration has a tubular side branch stitched into it with a portion of the tubular side branch extending within the tubular body and a portion of the tubular side branch extending exteriorly of the tubular body. The stitching by which the tubular side branch is mounted into the fenestration extends circumferentially and diagonally from one end of the tubular side branch to the other such that the tubular side branch extends from the tubular body at an angle thereto. The tubular side branch has a resilient ring around at least one and preferably both ends thereof and a self expanding stent in between them. The tubular side branch can have a circumferential linear portion (46) at an inner end to engage against the inner wall (58) of the tubular body.

Abstract: A stent graft (10) has a tubular body (12) of a biocompatible material and at least one fenestration (18, 20). The or each fenestration has a tubular side branch stitched into it with a portion of the tubular side branch extending within the tubular body and a portion of the tubular side branch extending exteriorly of the tubular body. The stitching by which the tubular side branch is mounted into the fenestration extends circumferentially and diagonally from one end of the tubular side branch to the other such that the tubular side branch extends from the tubular body at an angle thereto. The tubular side branch has a resilient ring around at least one and preferably both ends thereof and a self expanding stent in between them. The tubular side branch can have a circumferential linear portion (46) at an inner end to engage against the inner wall (58) of the tubular body.

Abstract: A multi-port stent graft delivery device (100) has an annular access lumen (107) between a delivery catheter (112) and a main sheath (106), at least one indwelling access sheath (118, 122) within the access lumen, and an indwelling guide wire (138, 146) within the or each access sheath and a stent graft (131) retained in the delivery device. Upon deployment of the stent graft into the vasculature of a patient the indwelling guide wire can be used to facilitate stabilisation of the access sheath during cathertisation of a side branch and deployment of a side arm covered or uncovered stent therein through the advanced access sheath. A two part handle enables withdrawal of a nose cone dilator before final placement of the side arm stents. A manifold (114) associated with a proximal handle portion provides a plurality of access ports (116, 120).

Abstract: A medical grasping device (1) has an elongate control member (9) with a grasping member (17) proximal to its distal tip. An outer sheath (3) with a passageway therethrough surrounds the elongate control member and is relatively movable with respect to the control member. A control assembly (2) disposed at a proximal end of said outer sheath has a fixed handle (5) and a sliding handle (7) and the proximal end of the elongate control member is fixed to the sliding handle to move the control member. The grasping member (17) has a plurality of pre-formed wire loops (50, 52, 54, 56) which self-deploy transversely upon emerging from said distal end of said outer sheath. Each wire loop is fastened to substantially opposite sides of the elongate control member so that each of said wire loops is substantially semi-circular upon full deployment and the respective ends (27, 29) of each wire loop extend substantially in opposite directions from the elongate control member.

Abstract: A flexible stent graft for deployment in a body vessel at a treatment site includes a tubular body, at least a first portion of which comprises a graft material and a coiled stent comprising a plurality of helical turns with spacings between the turns. The coiled stent is affixed to the graft material of the first portion. The first portion has a first portion diameter and the coiled stent has a helix diameter which is substantially the same as the first portion diameter. The coiled stent comprises a ratio of helical pitch to helix diameter of from about 1:2 to about 1:20, where the helical pitch is the spacing between adjacent turns of the coiled stent.