Abstract: The present invention relates to a stent graft, comprising: a base stent having a first and a second longitudinal end, a lumen extending longitudinally through the base stent, a covering material provided so as to line the base stent, the base stent having a roughened surface that is at least partially penetrated by the covering material so as to form a positive fit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a highly flexible stent graft (100), the method comprising: providing a stent graft having a first and a second longitudinal end and a lumen extending longitudinally therethrough, the stent graft comprising a base stent (10), the base stent having a first covering material (14) provided on the inside of the base stent so as to line the lumen and a second covering material (12) provided on the outside of the base stent, locally ablating the second covering material without puncturing the first covering material to thereby increase the flexibility of the stent graft.

Abstract: A stent having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the stent. In one aspect, the ring of spoons is connected to the axial end through a plurality of complementary male-female form-fitting portions. In one aspect, the ring of spoons include parallel straight side edges. In one aspect, each of the side edges lies within a first distance from a facing side edge of an adjacent spoon in a stent delivery configuration, and each of the side edges lies within a second distance, greater than the first distance, from the facing side edge of an adjacent spoon in a stent deployed configuration.

Abstract: A stent having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the stent. In one aspect, the ring of spoons is connected to the axial end through a plurality of complementary male-female form-fitting portions. In one aspect, the ring of spoons include parallel straight side edges. In one aspect, each of the side edges lies within a first distance from a facing side edge of an adjacent spoon in a stent delivery configuration, and each of the side edges lies within a second distance, greater than the first distance, from the facing side edge of an adjacent spoon in a stent deployed configuration.

Abstract: A stent having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the stent. In one aspect, the ring of spoons is connected to the axial end through a plurality of complementary male-female form-fitting portions. In one aspect, the ring of spoons include parallel straight side edges. In one aspect, each of the side edges lies within a first distance from a facing side edge of an adjacent spoon in a stent delivery configuration, and each of the side edges lies within a second distance, greater than the first distance, from the facing side edge of an adjacent spoon in a stent deployed configuration.

Abstract: A stent having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the stent. In one aspect, the ring of spoons is connected to the axial end through a plurality of complementary male-female form-fitting portions. In one aspect, the ring of spoons include parallel straight side edges. In one aspect, each of the side edges lies within a first distance from a facing side edge of an adjacent spoon in a stent delivery configuration, and each of the side edges lies within a second distance, greater than the first distance, from the facing side edge of an adjacent spoon in a stent deployed configuration.

Abstract: A tubular implant having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the implant. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of attaching elements to an axial end of a tubular implant comprising the steps of providing said elements on one end of a support tube having a radius substantially that of the implant in its unexpanded configuration, abutting the implant and elements end-to-end, fixing the elements to the implant, and parting the elements from the support tube. In a third aspect, the invention provides an implant carrying an element of another material, the element and implant having complementary tapered mating surfaces for achieving a taper form-fit of the element onto the implant.

Abstract: A stenting ring made of a tube or rolled-up sheet that has a characteristic wall thickness. The ring defines a lumen and is equipped with at least one marker made of a material different from that of the ring. The ring is expansible from a radially compact disposition with a relatively small circumference to a radially expanded disposition with a relatively large circumference. The ring exhibits in the compact disposition a serpentine arrangement of succeeding struts lying in alternate opposite directions to the longitudinal axis of the lumen. The marker has a thickness in the radial direction of the ring that is less than the characteristic wall thickness, and has a width that extends circumferentially around an arc of the ring. The marker is attached to the ring at a zone located at a point intermediate in the extent of said arc.

Abstract: A tubular implant having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the implant. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of attaching elements to an axial end of a tubular implant comprising the steps of providing said elements on one end of a support tube having a radius substantially that of the implant in its unexpanded configuration, abutting the implant and elements end-to-end, fixing the elements to the implant, and parting the elements from the support tube. In a third aspect, the invention provides an implant carrying an element of another material, the element and implant having complementary tapered mating surfaces for achieving a taper form-fit of the element onto the implant.

Abstract: A tubular implant having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the implant. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of attaching elements to an axial end of a tubular implant comprising the steps of providing said elements on one end of a support tube having a radius substantially that of the implant in its unexpanded configuration, abutting the implant and elements end-to-end, fixing the elements to the implant; and parting the elements from the support tube. In a third aspect, the invention provides an implant carrying an element of another material, the element and implant having complementary tapered mating surfaces for achieving a taper form fit of the element onto the implant.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter having a wall that defines a catheter lumen and a distal tip that is tapered towards an open distal orifice that defines the distal end of the lumen, the wall over the length of said tapered tip being distensible to allow the orifice to expand, and a distender within the lumen that can be urged distally along the lumen such that the distender presses radially outwardly the catheter wall within the distal tip, so as to distend said orifice.

Abstract: A stenting ring made of a tube or rolled-up sheet that has a characteristic wall thickness. The ring defines a lumen and is equipped with at least one marker made of a material different from that of the ring. The ring is expansible from a radially compact disposition with a relatively small circumference to a radially expanded disposition with a relatively large circumference. The ring exhibits in the compact disposition a serpentine arrangement of succeeding struts lying in alternate opposite directions to the longitudinal axis of the lumen. The marker has a thickness in the radial direction of the ring that is less than the characteristic wall thickness, and has a width that extends circumferentially around an arc of the ring. The marker is attached to the ring at a zone located at a point intermediate in the extent of said arc.

Abstract: A retrieval catheter (30) for retrieving from a bodily lumen a device (48) attached to the distal end of a pull line (16), the catheter having a wall (32) that defines a catheter lumen (22) and a distal tip (36) that is tapered towards an open distal orifice (38) that defines the distal end of the lumen, the wall over the length of said tapered tip being distensible to allow the orifice to expand, the catheter having: a distender within the lumen that can be urged distally along the lumen such that the distender presses radially outwardly the catheter wall within the distal tip, so as to distend said orifice; the distender having a distal end annulus and a proximal end annulus (42) separated by a radially outward-facing circumferential wall and an axial lumen extending through the distender between said distal and proximal annuli; a pusher shaft (46) that extends from the distender proximally along the catheter lumen to proximally beyond the proximal end of the catheter lumen and that is arranged to push the

Abstract: A covered stent including a stent covered on a first surface by a continuous covering and on a second surface by a discontinuous covering, the discontinuous covering bonded to the continuous covering, the discontinuous covering including first and second rings of material spaced apart such that a region of the second surface is uncovered.

Abstract: A flexible covered stent having a stent covered on a first surface by a first layer of biocompatible material and on a second surface by both a second and third layer of biocompatible material, the first and second layers and the first and third layers of biocompatible material being bonded to one another through openings in a wall in the stent. The first layer of biocompatible material is longer than both the second and third layers of biocompatible material such that at least a portion of the second surface of the stent is not covered by either second or third layer, imparting flexibility to the stent.

Abstract: A flexible covered stent having a stent covered on a first surface by a first layer of biocompatible material and on a second surface by both a second and third layer of biocompatible material, the first and second layers and the first and third layers of biocompatible material being bonded to one another through openings in a wall in the stent. The first layer of biocompatible material is longer than both the second and third layers of biocompatible material such that at least a portion of the second surface of the stent is not covered by either second or third layer, imparting flexibility to the stent.

Abstract: A flexible covered stent includes a stent covered on a first surface by a first layer of biocompatible material and on a second surface by a second layer of biocompatible material, the first and second layers of biocompatible material being bonded to one another through a wall in the stent. The first layer of biocompatible material is longer than the second layer of biocompatible material such that at least a portion of the second surface of the stent is left uncovered, imparting flexibility to the stent. A mid portion of the second surface of the stent can be left uncovered to impart flexibility to the stent similar to that enjoyed by a bare stent.

Abstract: A tubular implant having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the implant. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of attaching elements to an axial end of a tubular implant comprising the steps of providing said elements on one end of a support tube having a radius substantially that of the implant in its unexpanded configuration, abutting the implant and elements end-to-end, fixing the elements to the implant; and parting the elements from the support tube. In a third aspect, the invention provides an implant carrying an element of another material, the element and implant having complementary tapered mating surfaces for achieving a taper form fit of the element onto the implant.

Abstract: A flexible covered stent includes a stent covered on a first surface by a first layer of biocompatible material and on a second surface by a second layer of biocompatible material, the first and second layers of biocompatible material being bonded to one another through a wall in the stent. The first layer of biocompatible material is longer than the second layer of biocompatible material such that at least a portion of the second surface of the stent is left uncovered, imparting flexibility to the stent. A mid portion of the second surface of the stent can be left uncovered to impart flexibility to the stent similar to that enjoyed by a bare stent.

Abstract: A tubular implant having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the implant. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of attaching elements to an axial end of a tubular implant comprising the steps of providing said elements on one end of a support tube having a radius substantially that of the implant in its unexpanded configuration, abutting the implant and elements end-to-end, fixing the elements to the implant; and parting the elements from the support tube. In a third aspect, the invention provides an implant carrying an element of another material, the element and implant having complementary tapered mating surfaces for achieving a taper form fit of the element onto the implant.