Abstract: An elongate delivery shaft assembly (30) includes an outer covering shaft (38) and an inner support shaft (40).

Abstract: An endovascular system includes an elongate delivery shaft assembly, which, when a stent-graft is removably constrained in a radially-compressed delivery state along a distal end portion of the delivery shaft assembly, is shaped so as to define a self-orienting portion, which is shaped so as to define (a) at least proximal and distal curved portions, the proximal curved portion disposed more proximal than the distal curved portion, and (b) at least one point of inflection on a central longitudinal axis of the delivery shaft assembly longitudinally between the proximal and the distal curved portions. Upon positioning of a distal tip of the system near a bifurcation of a brachiocephalic artery from an aortic arch, the self-orienting portion automatically rotationally orients itself in the aortic arch to a rotational orientation in which an inferior lateral opening of the stent-graft faces upstream in the aortic arch. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Coaptation-assist devices (20) are provided for treating a native atrioventricular valve. The coaptation-assist devices (20) include a ventricular anchor (30), which includes one or more wires (35), and which is configured to be positioned in a ventricle; and a neo-leaflet (32), which is supported by the ventricular anchor (30) and is configured to at least partially replace function of a target native leaflet of the native atrioventricular valve by providing a surface of coaptation (34) for one or more opposing native leaflets. In some configurations, the ventricular anchor (30) includes a proximal subannular anchor (54), which includes a digitate anchor (56) that is shaped so as to define a plurality of fingers (60) having a plurality of curved superior peaks (66) that point in a superior direction and engage a subannular surface of the target native leaflet. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A stent-graft (20) comprises strut members (30) and a graft member (32), which is fixed to the strut members (30). The strut members (30) and the graft member (32) are arranged so as to define, when the stent-graft (20) is in a radially-expanded state: a main tube (40), which is shaped so as to define a main lumen (42); and a lateral tube (50), which (a) has (i) a distal end (52) and (ii) a proximal end (54) that is joined to a lateral wall (56) of the main tube (40) at a junction (60), (b) is shaped so as to define a lateral lumen (62) that is in fluid communication with the main lumen (42), and (c) defines a central longitudinal axis (64). The strut members (30) that define the lateral tube (50) are shaped so as to define two to four non-contiguous arcuate members (70), which (a) are centered around the central longitudinal axis (64), and (b) collectively subtend at least 150 degrees around the central longitudinal axis (64).

Abstract: An elongate delivery shaft assembly (30) includes an outer covering shaft (38) and an inner support shaft (40).

Abstract: A stent-graft (20) comprises strut members (30) and a graft member (32), which is fixed to the strut members (30). The strut members (30) and the graft member (32) are arranged so as to define, when the stent-graft (20) is in a radially-expanded state: a main tube (40), which is shaped so as to define a main lumen (42); and a lateral tube (50), which (a) has (i) a distal end (52) and (ii) a proximal end (54) that is joined to a lateral wall (56) of the main tube (40) at a junction (60), (b) is shaped so as to define a lateral lumen (62) that is in fluid communication with the main lumen (42), and (c) defines a central longitudinal axis (64). The strut members (30) that define the lateral tube (50) are shaped so as to define two to four non-contiguous arcuate members (70), which (a) are centered around the central longitudinal axis (64); and (b) collectively subtend at least 150 degrees around the central longitudinal axis (64).

Abstract: A method for treating a subject includes providing an endovascular system that includes a stent-graft and an elongate delivery shaft assembly. When the delivery shaft assembly is unconstrained and the stent-graft is removably constrained along a distal end portion of the delivery shaft assembly, the delivery shaft assembly is shaped so as to define a self-orienting portion, which is shaped so as to define at least proximal and distal curved portions. The delivery shaft assembly is transvascularly introduced into a descending aorta of the subject and a distal end of the delivery shaft assembly is advanced to an aortic arch, such that the self-orienting portion assumes a desired rotational orientation in the aortic arch. While the distal end of the delivery shaft assembly is positioned in the aortic arch, the stent-graft is released from the distal end portion of the delivery shaft assembly. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A coaptation-assist device (20, 120A, 120B, 120C, 320A, 320B, 420, 720) is provided for treating a native atrioventricular valve, including a loop-shaped ventricular anchor (30, 130, 330, 430, 730) which includes an anchor-loop wire loop (50, 150, 350, 450, 750), which defines at least a portion of a border of the loop-shaped ventricular anchor, and is configured to be positioned in a ventricle, extending between a ventricular apical area and a subannular surface of a target native leaflet, and to remain anchored in position against surrounding anatomy, including the subannular surface, a ventricular wall, and the ventricular apical area. A neo-leaflet (32, 132A, 132B, 132C, 332A, 332B, 332A, 332B, 432, 732) is supported by the loop-shaped ventricular anchor and is configured to at least partially replace function of the target native leaflet by providing a surface of coaptation (34, 434, 734) for one or more opposing native leaflets that oppose the target native leaflet. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An endovascular prosthesis includes a stent-graft and an external coagulation inducer. The stent-graft includes a first portion of structural strut members and a first portion of a graft member, which, when the endovascular prosthesis is unconstrained in a radially-expanded state, together are shaped so as to define a blood-carrying tubular structure defining a lumen. The external coagulation inducer includes an extra-luminal skirt, which includes a second portion of the structural strut members and a second portion of the graft member, and is configured to assume: (i) when the endovascular prosthesis is removably disposed in a delivery sheath, a radially-compressed delivery state, in which the structural strut members of the first portion do not coincide with the structural stent members of the second portion, and (ii) when the endovascular prosthesis is unconstrained, a radially-expanded state, in which the extra-luminal skirt extends radially outward from an external surface of the stent-graft.

Abstract: An elongate delivery shaft assembly (30) includes an outer covering shaft (38) and an inner support shaft (40).

Abstract: An endovascular self-curving stent-graft (20) includes a self-curving longitudinal portion (22), which is curved so as to define an innermost curve (26) and an outermost curve (28), when the stent-graft (20) is unconstrained in a radially-expanded state. The stent-graft (20) includes a plurality of circumferential strut members (30); a compression-generation spring (40), which (a) is in an elongated configuration when the stent-graft (20) is in a radially-compressed state, and (b) overlaps respective first portions (44) of at least two of the circumferential strut members (30); and an anti-buckling spring (50), which overlaps respective second portions (54) of at least two of the circumferential strut members (30).

Abstract: An endovascular stent-graft (10, 110, 210, 310) is provided that includes elastic struts (20) and a fluid flow guide (30) that is fixed to first and second subsets (32, 34) of the struts (20). The struts (20) of the first subset (32) are arranged as circumferential cells (80) in circumferentially-continuous rings (56), which cause the fluid flow guide (30) to define substantially cylindrical tubular portions (40). The struts (20) of the second subset (34) cause the fluid flow guide (30) to define a bulge (42) having a greatest bulge radius from a central longitudinal axis (38) that is at least 5% greater than an average radius of the substantially cylindrical tubular portions (40) proximally and distally adjacent the bulge (42). The struts (20) of the second subset (34) define tip portions (50).

Abstract: A deployment system (10, 410) includes an inner shaft (36, 436), removably disposed in a self-expanding stent-graft (40), and shaped so as to define (a) at least one conduit therealong (50, 450), which is (i) not coaxial with the inner shaft (36, 436), and (ii) shaped so as to define at least first (52, 452) and second enclosed longitudinal segments (54, 454), and (b) a restraining longitudinal portion (56, 456) that is longitudinally disposed between the first (52, 452) and second enclosed longitudinal segments (54, 454).

Abstract: A stent-graft (20) comprises strut members (30) and a graft member (32), which is fixed to the strut members (30). The strut members (30) and the graft member (32) are arranged so as to define, when the stent-graft (20) is in a radially-expanded state: a main tube (40), which is shaped so as to define a main lumen (42); and a lateral tube (50), which (a) has (i) a distal end (52) and (ii) a proximal end (54) that is joined to a lateral wall (56) of the main tube (40) at a junction (60), (b) is shaped so as to define a lateral lumen (62) that is in fluid communication with the main lumen (42), and (c) defines a central longitudinal axis (64). The strut members (30) that define the lateral tube (50) are shaped so as to define two to four non-contiguous arcuate members (70), which (a) are centered around the central longitudinal axis (64); and (b) collectively subtend at least 150 degrees around the central longitudinal axis (64).

Abstract: A stent-graft (20) comprises strut members (30) and a graft member (32), which is fixed to the strut members (30). The strut members (30) and the graft member (32) are arranged so as to define, when the stent-graft (20) is in a radially-expanded state: a main tube (40), which is shaped so as to define a main lumen (42); and a lateral tube (50), which (a) has (i) a distal end (52) and (ii) a proximal end (54) that is joined to a lateral wall (56) of the main tube (40) at a junction (60), (b) is shaped so as to define a lateral lumen (62) that is in fluid communication with the main lumen (42), and (c) defines a central longitudinal axis (64). The strut members (30) that define the lateral tube (50) are shaped so as to define two to four non-contiguous arcuate members (70), which (a) are centered around the central longitudinal axis (64), and (b) collectively subtend at least 150 degrees around the central longitudinal axis (64).

Abstract: An endovascular prosthesis includes a stent-graft and an external coagulation inducer. The stent-graft includes a first portion of structural strut members and a first portion of a graft member, which, when the endovascular prosthesis is unconstrained in a radially-expanded state, together are shaped so as to define a blood-carrying tubular structure defining a lumen. The external coagulation inducer includes an extra-luminal skirt, which includes a second portion of the structural strut members and a second portion of the graft member, and is configured to assume: (i) when the endovascular prosthesis is removably disposed in a delivery sheath, a radially-compressed delivery state, in which the structural strut members of the first portion do not coincide with the structural stent members of the second portion, and (ii) when the endovascular prosthesis is unconstrained, a radially-expanded state, in which the extra-luminal skirt extends radially outward from an external surface of the stent-graft.

Abstract: An endovascular system (10) includes an endovascular implant (20) and a delivery tool (30). The implant (20) is configured to assume a radially-compressed delivery state, and a radially-expanded deployment state. The delivery tool (30) includes a proximal main delivery catheter (36), having a distal portion (46) in which the implant (20) is disposed while in the radially-compressed delivery state; and a distal restraining assembly (50), which includes a restraining-assembly tubular shaft (52) disposed distal to the proximal main delivery catheter (36). The distal restraining assembly (50) is configured to assume an engaged state, in which the distal restraining assembly (50) prevents proximal displacement of the implant (20) relative to the distal restraining assembly (50), and a disengaged state, in which the distal restraining assembly (50) allows proximal displacement of the implant (20) relative to the distal restraining assembly (50). Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An elongate delivery shaft assembly (30) includes an outer covering shaft (38) and an inner support shaft (40).

Abstract: An endovascular self-curving stent-graft (20) includes a self-curving longitudinal portion (22), which is curved so as to define an innermost curve (26) and an outermost curve (28), when the stent-graft (20) is unconstrained in a radially-expanded state. The stent-graft (20) includes a plurality of circumferential strut members (30); a compression-generation spring (40), which (a) is in an elongated configuration when the stent-graft (20) is in a radially-compressed state, and (b) overlaps respective first portions (44) of at least two of the circumferential strut members (30); and an anti-buckling spring (50), which overlaps respective second portions (54) of at least two of the circumferential strut members (30).

Abstract: A stent-graft (20) comprises strut members (30) and a graft member (32), which is fixed to the strut members (30). The strut members (30) and the graft member (32) are arranged so as to define, when the stent-graft (20) is in a radially-expanded state: a main tube (40), which is shaped so as to define a main lumen (42); and a lateral tube (50), which (a) has (i) a distal end (52) and (ii) a proximal end (54) that is joined to a lateral wall (56) of the main tube (40) at a junction (60), (b) is shaped so as to define a lateral lumen (62) that is in fluid communication with the main lumen (42), and (c) defines a central longitudinal axis (64). The strut members (30) that define the lateral tube (50) are shaped so as to define two to four non-contiguous arcuate members (70), which (a) are centered around the central longitudinal axis (64), and (b) collectively subtend at least 150 degrees around the central longitudinal axis (64).