Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue protection device for mitral valve cerclage annuloplasty and, more particularly to a tissue protection device for protecting tissues of the body (heart) during mitral valve cerclage annuloplasty that is performed on a mitral valve cerclage patient with mitral regurgitation. The tissue protection device for mitral valve cerclage annuloplasty of the present invention is a hollow cylindrical tube where cerclage sutures (10a, 10b) are inserted, in which a hole (22) is formed at a predetermined portion of the cylindrical tube so that a coronary sinus cerclage suture (10a) inserted in a coronary sinus comes out of the cylindrical tube, and a lower section from the hole is inserted into the tricuspid valve to protect tissues of the tricuspid valve and the ventricular septum.

Abstract: Multilumen implant for application in human and animal vascular systems/bodies, with a substantially tubular element (1) divided into a proximal (2) and a distal section (3), and a fixation element (8) for the fixation of the proximal section (2) in a target vessel, wherein the tubular element (1) branches into two or more lumens (4, 5) in the distal section (3), with the fixation element (8) being at least one clamping ring (8) arranged on the outside of the proximal section (2) of the tubular element (1), and wherein the free end of the proximal section of the tubular element (1) is folded around the clamping ring (8) and embraces the clamping ring (8) in a pocket-like manner.

Abstract: Intravascular delivery system is designed for a safe and efficient access to secondary and tertiary vascular structures, such as the branches of the coronary sinus, to enhance the delivery and deployment of various catheters, such as, for example, pacemaker electrical leads. The over-the-wire system features a straight, or alternatively shaped, micro-catheter distal tip of an inner catheter that seamlessly cooperates with a peel-away reinforced outer catheter. The inner catheter and the peel-away reinforced outer catheter are advanced in their engaged mode of operation towards (or beyond) the target site. Subsequently, the inner and outer catheters are disengaged, and the inner catheter is removed from the outer catheter. A pacemaker lead may be advanced over the wire inside the outer catheter to the target site for deployment. Subsequently, the outer catheter is easily split and may be rapidly removed from the blood vessel.

Abstract: A device and method are described for aspirating within a patient during the delivery of a drug-coated treatment device to help remove drug coating dislodged in a patient's blood. The drug treatment device can be a drug-coated balloon, a drug-coated stent, or similar devices. The device can include an occlusion balloon to help contain the dislodged drug coating and aspiration can be applied proximally, distally, or both proximally and distally of the drug coated balloon during a procedure.

Abstract: In embodiments of an obstruction removal device, system, and/or method, a removal tool is disposed at a distal end of a delivery tool and configured to at least partially separate an obstruction from an inner surface of a vasculature. An expandable member is also coupled to the delivery tool. The expandable member includes a proximal end that is free or slidably coupled to the delivery tool. The proximal end of the expandable member is configured to invert or slide toward a distal end of the expandable member, thereby causing the expandable member to surround at least a portion of the obstruction and the removal tool so that the obstruction is captured between the expandable member and the removal tool, when the delivery tool is withdrawn from the vasculature to remove the removal tool and the obstruction from the vasculature.

Abstract: Some implementations of an endovascular device include a stent graft with an expandable tubular metallic frame and a covering material disposed on at least a portion of the metallic frame. The stent graft defines a lumen therethrough. In a particular embodiment, a first balloon is disposed around an outer periphery of the stent graft, a second balloon is disposed around the outer periphery of the stent graft and spaced apart from the first balloon, and a third balloon is disposed within the stent graft lumen between the first balloon and the second balloon. The third balloon can be inflated to fully or partially occlude the lumen. The first and second balloons can be individually inflated to fully or partially shunt blood flow from a blood vessel through the stent graft. In some embodiments, sensors and an automated control unit are included to automate the operations of the endovascular device.

Abstract: The present teachings provide devices and methods of engaging, capturing, and retrieving emboli. Specifically, one aspect of the present teachings provides a device comprising a generally cylindrical body, with its proximal ends joining to a delivery system and a plurality of cells forming its luminal surface. The cylindrical body is configured to axially rotate as it radially expands. Another aspect of the present teachings provides a device comprising two elongated bodies one disposed within the other. As the device expands radially, both elongated bodies are configured to axially rotate independently.

Abstract: A clot removal device for removing clot from a body vessel includes an expandable structure having a constrained delivery configuration, an expanded clot engaging deployed configuration, and an at least partially constrained clot pinching configuration, the expandable structure including a proximal section comprising a plurality of struts with opening angles; a mid-section distal of the proximal section and comprising a plurality of struts with opening angles and cells larger than cells of the proximal section, the mid-section being configured to expand a larger radial extent in the deployed configuration than the proximal section to provide clot grip and retention during retraction of the clot; wherein the proximal section is configured to pinch the clot from the body vessel when partially resheathed by a microcatheter.

Abstract: A medical device for cooperating with a body surface of a patient includes an elastically deformable substrate having a first surface, a second surface, and a plurality of pores extending from the first surface towards the second surface to define a plurality of spaced-apart projections. A lubricant is provided in the pores. Applying a compressive force to the substrate with the body surface elastically deforms the projections to displace the lubricant out of the pores and provide hydrodynamic lubrication between the medical device and the body surface.

Abstract: A filter having a first set of members and a second set of members defining a trap sized to fit into a blood vessel. Each of the first and second members are configured to resiliently extend from the trap. At least one of the first set of members includes a first surface for engaging the vessel wall such that the at least one of the first set of members resists downstream movement within the vessel. At least one of the second set of members includes a second surface for engaging the vessel wall such that the at least one second member resists upstream movement within the vessel.

Abstract: A balloon for medical treatments such as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), delivery of a vascular stents or stent grafts, employs reinforcement materials that are patterned so as to promote consistent folding of the balloon. Also disclosed are methods and apparatus for biocidal treatment using a balloon, including balloons with fiber fabric reinforcements.

Abstract: A balloon catheter includes an elongated catheter shaft, an expandable balloon connected to the elongated catheter shaft, and a sheath that defines a lumen and includes a therapeutic agent disposed within the lumen. The balloon catheter further includes a first configuration and a second configuration. When in the first configuration, the expandable balloon is disposed distally from the sheath such that an outer surface of the expandable balloon does not contact the lumen. Further, when in the second configuration, at least a portion of the outer surface of the expandable balloon is disposed within the lumen of the sheath such that it contacts the therapeutic agent. At least a portion of the therapeutic agent that contacts the outer surface of the expandable balloon is transferred from the lumen of the sheath to the outer surface of the expandable balloon when the balloon catheter is in the second configuration.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a medical procedure includes a balloon comprising an inflatable body. A first releasable or frangible connection is provided to maintain the body at a first diameter up to a first inflation pressure, and to release, such as by disconnecting, and thus allow the body to assume a second diameter, such as at a second inflation pressure greater than the first inflation pressure or upon a manual release of the connection by a clinician. Multiple releasable or frangible connections may be provided, including between portions (folds) of the inflatable body of the balloon. This disclosure also pertains to a non-compliant or semi-compliant balloon having a first inflation diameter corresponding to a first range of inflation pressures and a second inflation diameter corresponding to a second inflation pressure greater than the first range of inflation pressures.

Abstract: A method of generating a 4D model includes capturing imagery of a catheter and a vessel as the catheter is directed through the vessel to a location of interest, wherein the catheter is disposed on a guidewire, constructing a 3D time varying reference curve describing a trajectory of the guidewire, and constructing a time varying 3D model of the artery using the reference curve.

Abstract: Intravascular delivery system is designed for a safe and efficient access to secondary and tertiary vascular structures, such as the branches of the coronary sinus, to enhance the delivery and deployment of various catheters, such as, for example, pacemaker electrical leads. The over-the-wire system features a straight, or alternatively shaped, micro-catheter distal tip of an inner catheter that seamlessly cooperates with a peel-away reinforced outer catheter. The inner catheter and the peel-away reinforced outer catheter are advanced in their engaged mode of operation towards (or beyond) the target site. Subsequently, the inner and outer catheters are disengaged, and the inner catheter is removed from the outer catheter. A pacemaker lead may be advanced over the wire inside the outer catheter to the target site for deployment. Subsequently, the outer catheter is easily split and may be rapidly removed from the blood vessel.

Abstract: A balloon dilator device, comprising an annularly shaped, cylindrical type structure having walls that are expandable from a radially collapsed state to a radially expanded state by inflation of a balloon inserted within the annular structure. Once the walls have been expanded, they remain in the expanded state even if the balloon is deflated, because the radially expanded state is a state of minimum mechanical potential energy, and in order to return to the collapsed state, the structure would have to pass a state of higher potential energy. The device walls require sufficient stiffness in their longitudinal direction to enable the device to be pushed into a minimally invasive incision made in the subject. This device stiffness can be achieved either by its mechanical material properties, or by its substantially closed wall structure, or by use of a stiff protector sheath used to protect the walls during insertion.

Abstract: An intrasaccular flow diverter includes a wire structure (e.g., a braided wire or a laser-cut hypotube), a thin-film mesh placed over the wire structure, and crimps fixing the thin-film mesh to the wire structure at each crimp. The wire structure and the thin-film mesh between adjacent crimps are expanded radially to form thin-film covered spheroid structures. When deployed in an aneurysm, the spheroid structures may volumetrically fill the aneurysm sac. An intrasaccular flow diverter with an umbrella structure includes a wire structure with a plurality of crimps along the wire structure, and a thin-film covered umbrella structure at one end of the wire structure. The wire structure between adjacent crimps is expanded radially to form a spheroid structure. When deployed in an aneurysm, the thin-film covered umbrella structure may cover the aneurysm neck.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and devices for percutaneous retrieval of objects, such as endovascular devices, from an internal body space. The present inventions have vascular, non-vascular (gastrointestinal), and surgical (laproscopic) applications. The inventions include a retrieval end having one or more compressed states and an expanded state, the retrieval end adopting the expanded state when the retrieval end is deployed into a subject's internal body space, the retrieval end having a mouth through which an object can be passed into an interior space within the retrieval end when the retrieval end is in the expanded state, the mouth being adjustable between an opened state and a closed state; wherein when at least a portion of the retrieval end of the inner sheath is transitioned to a compressed state following capture of the object, the retrieval end exerts an inward force that at least partially collapses or compresses the object.

Abstract: A system includes an adjustable implant configured for implantation internally within a subject and includes a permanent magnet configured for rotation about an axis of rotation, the permanent magnet operatively coupled to a drive transmission configured to alter a dimension of the adjustable implant. The system includes an external adjustment device configured for placement on or adjacent to the skin of the subject having at least one magnet configured for rotation, the external adjustment device further comprising a motor configured to rotate the at least one magnet and an encoder. Rotation of the at least one magnet of the external adjustment device effectuates rotational movement of the permanent magnet of the adjustable implant and alters the dimension of the adjustable implant. Drive control circuitry is configured to receive an input signal from the encoder.

Abstract: A balloon catheter and method for manufacturing are disclosed in which the fracturing of the vicinity of a proximal opening portion formed by an inner shaft can be prevented. A distal side of an inner shaft included by a balloon catheter is disposed in a lumen of an outer distal shaft, and a proximal side of the inner shaft is disposed on an outer surface of an outer proximal shaft, and the inner shaft forms a proximal opening portion which opens on an outer surface side of the outer proximal shaft. The inner shaft has a first region and a second region disposed on a proximal side of the first region. The first region is fixed to the outer surface of the outer proximal shaft. The second region is not fixed to the outer surface of the outer proximal shaft.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for forming an anastomosis between a first layer of tissue and a second layer of tissue of a patient's body. The system includes a first anastomosis device component and a second anastomosis device component configured to interact with the first anastomosis device component. The first anastomosis device component is configured to be delivered to a first lumen inside the patient's body. The second anastomosis device component is configured to be delivered to a second lumen inside the patient's body. The second anastomosis device includes one or more sensors configured to capture sensor data for determining an alignment of the second anastomosis device component relative to the first anastomosis device component, or for characterizing the position or orientation of the second anastomosis device component in three-dimensional space.

Abstract: A tubular braided implant is provided including a braid that can be delivered as a single layer braid, invert into itself during deployment to form at least two nested sacks and include additional braid material that can fill the innermost sack. The additional braid material can loop or coil like a ribbon and/or invert to form smaller and smaller nested sacks. The braid can have a variable braid angle along its length such that when positioned for delivery, the can have a high braid angle near its distal end and a low braid angle near the proximal end. In addition, or as a replacement for the braid material that fills the innermost sack, the implant can include an embolic coil that can loop within the innermost sack.

Abstract: A system, device and method for left atrial appendage occlusion detection is disclosed. The system for occlusion detection comprises a sheath; a delivery system comprising: a delivery catheter extending between a proximal end and a distal end; and a handle coupled to the proximal end of the delivery catheter; a medical tool coupled to a distal end of the delivery catheter at a target location within a portion of an organ of a patient, the medical device comprising a hub including a bore defining an axis, an occluder portion coupled to the hub and an anchor portion extending between a first end and a second end; at least one pressure sensor configured to measure a pressure of the target cavity while blood is suctioned form inside the left atrial appendage; and at least one processor configured to process the pressure measurement acquired from the at least one pressure sensor.

Abstract: Stents generally can include a tubular structure having circumferentially positioned undulating wires that extend over a majority of a length of the stent such that the undulations oscillate circumferentially to define a circumference of the stent. The undulations can wrap over and under adjacent undulations to form an interwoven structure. Additionally, or alternatively, adjacent wires can be joined. Wires forming the stent can be cut from elastic tubing such that each wire has a three-dimensional shape.

Abstract: An example introducer is disclosed. An example introducer includes an inner liner including a lumen, a distal region and at least one folded portion extending along the distal region. The introducer also includes a reinforcing member having a length and including at least one spine extending along the length of the reinforcing member. The introducer also includes a sheath disposed along at least a portion of the introducer, wherein the sheath includes at least one perforation, wherein material adjacent to the at least one folded portion is removed from a distal portion of the introducer to form a tip region. The introducer also includes a tip member disposed along the tip region.

Abstract: A medical implant (20) includes first and second ring members (22, 24), each including a resilient framework (26) having a generally cylindrical form. A tubular sleeve (28) is fixed to the first and second ring members so as to hold the ring members in mutual longitudinal alignment, thereby defining a lumen (32) passing through the ring members. A constricting element (30) is fit around the sleeve at a location intermediate the first and second ring members so as to reduce a diameter of the lumen at the location.

Abstract: A device and method for intravascular treatment of atherosclerotic plaque prior to balloon angioplasty which microperforates the plaque with small sharp spikes acting as serrations for forming cleavage lines or planes in the plaque. The spikes may also be used to transport medication into the plaque. The plaque preparation treatment enables subsequent angioplasty to be performed at low balloon pressures of about 4 atmospheres or less, reduces dissections, and avoids injury to the arterial wall. The subsequent angioplasty may be performed with a drug-eluting balloon (DEB) or drug-coated balloon (DCB). The pre-angioplasty perforation procedure enables more drug to be absorbed during DEB or DCB angioplasty, and makes the need for a stent less likely. Alternatively, any local incidence of plaque dissection after balloon angioplasty may be treated by applying a thin, ring-shaped tack at the dissection site only, rather than applying a stent over the overall plaque site.

Abstract: Treating a treatment area in the vasculature includes a first catheter adapted for positioning at the treatment area, said first catheter including a first balloon having a transient radiopaque material corresponding to the treatment area. A second catheter adapted for positioning at a treatment area includes a treatment that substantially matches the transient radiopaque material, preferably so that the length and/or position of the treatment corresponds to the length and/or position of the transient radiopaque material. Related kits, assemblies, and methods are also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are medical devices comprising a single-lobed, thin-walled, expandable body and a flexible, elongated delivery device for treating saccular vascular aneurysms and occluding segments of blood vessels and other biological conduits. The expandable bodies may include gold and other metals that can be compressed, positioned in the lumen of an aneurysm, or other biological conduit and expanded. The external surface of the expandable bodies can be configured to promote local thrombosis and to promote the growth of tissue into and around the surface in order to reduce migration of the expandable body and to occlude and seal the aneurysm or biological conduit. For the treatment of saccular aneurysms, the expandable body may be deployed in combination with one or more coiled wires that contact both the wall of the aneurysm and the expandable body and exert force on the expandable body to aid in sealing the aneurysm neck.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bowl-shaped neck bridge with a distal-facing concavity and a central lumen. The neck bridge is inserted and expanded within a cerebral aneurysm. The, embolic members (such as embolic coils, embolic ribbons, or string-of-pearls embolic strands) are inserted through the central lumen into the aneurysm sac.

Abstract: Devices and methods are described for occluding the left atrial appendage (LAA) to exclude the LAA from blood flow to prevent blood from clotting within the LAA and subsequently embolizing, particularly in patients with atrial fibrillation. An implant is delivered via transcatheter delivery into the LAA. The implant includes a conformable structure comprising a foam body and internal support. The support includes anchors that penetrate the foam body and anchor the implant to the walls of the LAA. The implant provides compliance such that it conforms to the native configuration of the LAA.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve can include a support structure, an actuator member, and a plurality of leaflets. The support structure can have a plurality of struts and a plurality of rivets. The struts can have openings formed therein. The rivets can have first portions and second portions. The first portions can extend through the openings of the struts, and the second portions are larger than the first portion and the openings of the struts. The struts are pivotable about the rivets to radially expand and compress the support structure. The actuator member can be coupled to the struts of the support structure and configured to selectively actuate expansion and compression of the support structure. The leaflets can be coupled to the support structure and configured to allow unidirectional blood flow through the prosthetic heart valve.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes treatment of the vasculature of a patient with an expandable implant. The implant is constrained to a reduced delivery diameter for delivery within the vasculature by at least one sleeve. The implant can be constrained to other diameters, such as an intermediate diameter. The sleeves can be expanded, allowing for expansion of the diameter of the expandable implant, by disengaging a coupling member from the sleeve or sleeves from outside of the body of the patient. The expandable implant can comprise a steering line or lines which facilitate bending and steering of the expandable implant through the vasculature of a patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods can involve wedge dissectors attached to strips in turn attached to medical balloons, for forming serrations within vascular wall tissue for angioplasty as well as drug delivery.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel filter and delivery means. The device described within will not interfere with standard practice and tools used during standard surgical procedures and tools such as cannulas, clamps or dissection instruments including valve replacement sizing gages or other surgical procedures where the patient must be put on a heart-lung machine cross-clamping the aorta.

Abstract: A catheter for introduction into a body cavity comprises a flexible outer tube with a handle member and proximal and distal ends and a flexible inner tube with a holder. The exterior surface of the outer tube has a first cross sectional shape along at least a portion of its length with the inferior surface having a second cross section shape along at feast a portion of its length. The inner tube has an exterior surface having a third cross section shape along at least a portion of its length. The third cross section shape has a radius less than said second cross section shape and is configured to prevent more than a predetermined rotation when received within in the second cross section shape of the outer tube. The holder has a holder stop proximate its distal face with the distance between the proximal face of the handle member and the stop being equal to the length of the membrane. This ensures that once the stop contacts the handle member, the membrane will be fully deployed.

Abstract: A stent includes a high radial force segment and a highly flexible segment, where the diameters of the high radial force segment and the highly flexible segment are different. For example, the stent may be formed from a tube having varying diameters as it extends distally combined with increased strut density to achieve increased flexibility distally while reducing loss of radial stiffness. The stent may further be placed with an additional stent segment, where the additional stent segment has a radial force similar to the radial force of the highly flexible force segment.

Abstract: A device for a tissue channel includes a device frame, a shape memory polymer foam segment coupled to the device frame, and an attachment structure coupled to the device frame. The device frame includes a proximal structure, a distal structure, and an intermediate structure coupled to the proximal structure and the distal structure. The proximal structure is configured to collapse to fit into a delivery structure and expand to block migration of the proximal structure. The distal structure is configured to collapse to fit into the delivery structure and expand to block migration of the distal structure. The intermediate structure is configured to fit in the tissue channel upon device deployment. The shape memory polymer foam segment is configured to compress to fit into the delivery structure and occlude the channel. The attachment structure is configured to attach and detach the device from a delivery guide.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced medical balloon includes a cylindrical central portion. The balloon includes first and second conical portions connected to the cylindrical central portion along a central longitudinal axis extending from a first end of the balloon to a second end of the balloon. The balloon includes a plurality of first fiber strands extending from the first end of the balloon to the second end of the balloon. Each strand of the plurality of first fiber strands runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis through the cylindrical central portion and radially around at least a portion of the first and second conical portions. The balloon includes at least one second fiber strand extending radially around the central portion. The strands are applied as part of a single continuous fiber.

Abstract: A monitoring system for an analyte in a bodily fluid of a patient comprises a housing, a sensor disposed within the housing, and a cannula. The sensor detects and reports the detection of an analyte. The sensor includes a sensor inlet and a sensor outlet. The cannula includes a cannula inlet and a cannula outlet, where the cannula inlet is fluidly coupled to the sensor inlet and the cannula outlet is fluidly coupled to the sensor outlet. The monitoring system can provide real-time monitoring of an intravenous analyte, where a fluid delivery unit can automatically administer a fluid in response to detection of a predetermined amount of the analyte.

Abstract: Stent delivery systems and methods for making and using stent delivery systems are disclosed. An example stent delivery system may include a guide member having a proximal portion and a distal portion. A stent may be disposed about the distal portion of the guide member. The stent may have a wall having an opening formed therein. A pusher member may be disposed about the guide member and positioned proximal of the stent. A holding filament may be disposed at the opening and may extend to the proximal portion of the guide member. The holding filament may be configured to releasably secure the position of the stent relative to the pusher member. The holding filament may be releasable from the stent independently of movement of the guide member.

Abstract: A device for reducing pulsatile pressure within a vessel to treat heart disease, such as pulmonary hypertension, includes a compliant body structured to expand and contract upon changes in pressure within the vessel, a reservoir structured for holding a fluid therein, and a conduit extending between and fluidly coupling the reservoir and the compliant body, wherein the device includes a graphene-polymer composite designed to resist diffusion of the fluid through the device.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an endoprosthesis delivery system comprising an elongate member, such as a catheter, an endoprosthesis, a covering member disposed about the endoprosthesis, and at least one flexible element situated between the endoprosthesis and the covering member. The covering member can extend beyond an end of the endoprosthesis. In operation, as the covering member is removed, the flexible element can guide the covering member over the end of the endoprosthesis to prevent entanglement between the end of the endoprosthesis and the covering member.

Abstract: A catheter for prevention of stroke by diverting and filtering the blood flow to carotid and vertebral arteries is provided. The catheter includes at least one balloon with an outer mesh cover that expands upon the balloon inflation and collapses upon balloon deflation. Partial inflation of balloons provides for full mesh expansion in the target vessel with resulting capturing and retrieval of embolic particles. The inflation of the balloon in the aortic arch or head vessels expands the balloon associated filtering mesh leading to both filtering and deflection of embolic particles from the cerebral circulation, while balloon deflation triggers the mesh collapse and promotes its recapturing and retrieval while minimizing the risk of spillage of captured emboli.

Abstract: Delivery systems and methods for deploying an implantable device are disclosed, which can include a delivery device having an outer tubular member and an inner assembly. The inner assembly is disposed within and is slidably movable relative to the outer tubular member. The inner assembly can include a pusher at a distal portion. The pusher abuts and restricts proximal movement, relative to the inner assembly, of a crimped implantable device within the outer tubular member. The pusher can include a slot to accommodate a suture binding mechanism of the implantable device. The delivery device can include a tip disposed at a distal end. The tip includes a tip transition zone. The inner sheath and outer tubular member can each have sections of distinct rigidity along their lengths with transition zones between the sections. A transition zone of the outer tubular member and a transition zone of the inner sheath can be longitudinally offset.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for a device and method for treating aortoiliac occlusion disease with the placement of a fenestrated stent system at the aortic bifurcation. The fenestrated stent system includes a tapered fenestrated stent with a fenestration and a common iliac stent that is placed within the fenestration of the fenestrated stent.

Abstract: A vascular occlusion device includes a braided filament mesh structure defining a longitudinal axis. The mesh structure has a relaxed configuration in which it has an axial array of radially-extending occlusion regions, each of which has a proximal side and a distal side meeting at a peripheral edge, the sides of each occlusion region forming a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis. Each occlusion region is axially separated from the adjacent occlusion region by a reduced-diameter connecting region. The mesh structure is radially compressible to a compressed state in which it is deployed intravascularly to a target site through a catheter. Upon deployment, the device radially expands to a constrained configuration in which the peripheral edges of the occlusion regions engage the vascular wall, and the sides of the occlusion regions form a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis that is smaller than the first angle.

Abstract: The invention provides an inflatable insertion device capable of being percutaneously introduced into a patient's body. The insertion device comprises an inflatable element having a distal end and a proximal end and which is operable between a collapsed condition and an inflated condition by introducing an inflating fluid therein. An elongate member extends internally of the inflatable element from its distal end. The internal member is capable of being withdrawn towards the proximal end of the inflatable element to result in the distal end of the element being withdrawn towards the proximal end internally of the element. The invention further provides a locating device comprising a catheter having a catheter tube fitted with one or more inflatable insertion devices at a distal end thereof.

Abstract: A stent having an inner surface and an outer surface, at least a portion of the outer surface of the stent comprising a dissolvable adhesive polymer or a degradable adhesive polymer disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface of the stent, the adhesive is activated by exposure to an aqueous environment, the dissolvable adhesive polymer dissolves over time in an aqueous environment, the dissolvable adhesive polymer or the degradable adhesive polymer has a surface tack of about 2 psi to about 14 psi.

Abstract: A support layer for a synthetic root comprises at least a first region and a second region. The pattern, material, density and/or tension of the support layer in the first region is different to that in the second region. The support may be formed from a knitted, woven, braided or 3D-printed material. The support layer may be comprised within a synthetic aortic or pulmonary root. In at least one region the synthetic root may have a multi-layered structure with the support layer disposed between an inner and an outer nanofiber layer.