Abstract: A stent-graft comprising a stent and a graft having a supported portion lining or covering at least a portion of the stent, and an unsupported portion extending proximally beyond the proximal end of the stent. The stent-graft may have a length corresponding to at least a mean standard length from a standard incision point to a distal-most portion of a standard lumen into which the distal end of the stent is adapted to be deployed, with the unsupported portion of the graft extending beyond the mean standard length by an amount equal to at least two, if not three or more, standard deviations of the mean standard length. A method for deploying the stent-graft comprises making an incision in a wall of the lumen, introducing and deploying the stent-graft in the lumen so that the proximal end extends beyond the incision, and attaching the graft to a lumen by anastamosis.

Abstract: A stent-graft comprising a stent and a graft having a supported portion lining or covering at least a portion of the stent, and an unsupported portion extending proximally beyond the proximal end of the stent. The stent-graft may have a length corresponding to at least a mean standard length from a standard incision point to a distal-most portion of a standard lumen into which the distal end of the stent is adapted to be deployed, with the unsupported portion of the graft extending beyond the mean standard length by an amount equal to at least two, if not three or more, standard deviations of the mean standard length. A method for deploying the stent-graft comprises making an incision in a wall of the lumen, introducing and deploying the stent-graft in the lumen so that the proximal end extends beyond the incision, and attaching the graft to a lumen by anastamosis.

Abstract: A stent-graft comprising a stent and a graft having a supported portion lining or covering at least a portion of the stent, and an unsupported portion extending proximally beyond the proximal end of the stent. The stent-graft may have a length corresponding to at least a mean standard length from a standard incision point to a distal-most portion of a standard lumen into which the distal end of the stent is adapted to be deployed, with the unsupported portion of the graft extending beyond the mean standard length by an amount equal to at least two, if not three or more, standard deviations of the mean standard length. A method for deploying the stent-graft comprises making an incision in a wall of the lumen, introducing and deploying the stent-graft in the lumen so that the proximal end extends beyond the incision, and attaching the graft to a lumen by anastamosis.

Abstract: A stent includes regions of differing numbers of braided filaments to provide different dimensions and/or properties in different regions along the stent length. The stent may include a first and second plurality of braided filaments each braided together. The second plurality of braided filaments is braided into the first plurality of braided filaments to form a region of different properties than the first. A method of constructing a braided stent includes the steps of braiding a first plurality of filaments to form the flexible portion, combining a second plurality of filaments to the first plurality of filaments, and then braiding the second plurality of filaments with the first plurality of filaments to form the more rigid region from the combination of the first and second plurality of filaments, where the second plurality of filaments is braided only in the rigid region.

Abstract: A composite multilayer implantable material having a first inner tubular layer formed of expanded polytetrafluoroethyene having a porous microstructure defined by nodes interconnected by fibrils, wherein said first layer has a plurality of pleated folds, a second tubular layer formed of textile material circumferentially disposed exteriorly to said first layer; and having an elastomeric bonding agent applied to one of said first layer or second layer and disposed within the pores of said microstructure for securing said first layer to said second layer.

Abstract: A stent includes regions of differing numbers of braided filaments to provide different dimensions and/or properties in different regions along the stent length. The stent may include a first and second plurality of braided filaments each braided together. The second plurality of braided filaments is braided into the first plurality of braided filaments to form a region of different properties than the first. A method of constructing a braided stent includes the steps of braiding a first plurality of filaments to form the flexible portion, combining a second plurality of filaments to the first plurality of filaments, and then braiding the second plurality of filaments with the first plurality of filaments to form the more rigid region from the combination of the first and second plurality of filaments, where the second plurality of filaments is braided only in the rigid region.

Abstract: A stent and method for making the stent are provided. The stent comprises regions of differing numbers of braided filaments to provide a stent with different dimensions and/or properties in different regions along the stent length. A preferred stent comprises a first and second plurality of braided filaments each braided together. The second plurality of braided filaments is braided into the first plurality of braided filaments to form a region of different properties than the first. A preferred embodiment is a stent having a narrower diameter along a more flexible region and a broader diameter along a more rigid region. Also included is a method of constructing a braided stent in accordance with the above.

Abstract: A stent and method for making the stent are provided. The stent comprises regions of differing numbers of braided filaments to provide a stent with different dimensions and/or properties in different regions along the stent length. A preferred stent comprises a first and second plurality of braided filaments each braided together. The second plurality of braided filaments is braided into the first plurality of braided filaments to form a region of different properties than the first. A preferred embodiment is a stent having a narrower diameter along a more flexible region and a broader diameter along a more rigid region. Also included is a method of constructing a braided stent in accordance with the above.

Abstract: A stent and method for making the stent are provided. The stent comprises regions of differing numbers of braided filaments to provide a stent with different dimensions and/or properties in different regions along the stent length. A preferred stent comprises a first and second plurality of braided filaments each braided together. The second plurality of braided filaments is braided into the first plurality of braided filaments to form a region of different properties than the first. A preferred embodiment is a stent having a narrower diameter along a more flexible region and a broader diameter along a more rigid region. Also included is a method of constructing a braided stent in accordance with the above.

Abstract: A composite multilayer implantable material having a first inner tubular layer formed of expanded polytetrafluoroethyene having a porous microstructure defined by nodes interconnected by fibrils, wherein said first layer has a plurality of pleated folds, a second tubular layer formed of textile material circumferentially disposed exteriorly to said first layer; and having an elastomeric bonding agent applied to one of said first layer or second layer and disposed within the pores of said microstructure for securing said first layer to said second layer.

Abstract: A stent-graft comprising a stent and a graft having a supported portion lining or covering at least a portion of the stent, and an unsupported portion extending proximally beyond the proximal end of the stent. The stent-graft may have a length corresponding to at least a mean standard length from a standard incision point to a distal-most portion of a standard lumen into which the distal end of the stent is adapted to be deployed, with the unsupported portion of the graft extending beyond the mean standard length by an amount equal to at least two, if not three or more, standard deviations of the mean standard length. A method for deploying the stent-graft comprises making an incision in a wall of the lumen, introducing and deploying the stent-graft in the lumen so that the proximal end extends beyond the incision, and attaching the graft to a lumen by anastamosis.

Abstract: A washing machine includes a mid-level pivot and traverse suspension arrangement and a modular assembly. A support having a central aperture is spaced from the washing machine base by a plurality of upstanding legs. The modular assembly, including a drain tub, a drive shaft, and a transmission, is disposed on the support with the drive shaft and the transmission extending through the central aperture of the support. The modular assembly is a disengageable intact from the support with the transmission and the drive shaft passing through the central aperture of the support.

Abstract: A washing machine having a mid-level pivot and traverse suspension system. The washing machine includes a tub assembly disposed over a support, with the assembly having a center of mass disposed at approximately the same axial position as the typical out-of-balance load. The pivoting force is a function of the distance between the center of mass of the tub assembly and the out-of-balance load. Thus, the pivoting forces are reduced, as well as the corresponding reaction forces transferred to the floor.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine including a cabinet having an upper wall portion provided with a clothes receiving opening, an annular cowling within the cabinet and having an inner peripheral portion encircling the clothes receiving opening, the cowling having an annular midportion sloped radially downward to an outer peripheral portion of the cowling which is secured to a rim of a drain tub defining an open end thereof, the drain tub having rotatably supported therein a spin tub with an opening disposed within the open end portion of the drain tub and aligned with the clothes receiving opening, and a liquid soap dispensing system disposed within the cabinet and externally of the drain tub, the soap dispensing system comprising a multi-load reservoir of liquid soap connected hydraulically through a pump to a nozzle having a drain tube with a spout end portion adjacent the inner peripheral portion of the cowling and encircling a delivery tube which is disposed longitudinally and eccentrically within the drain tube,