Abstract: A delivery system for delivering an implantable stented device to a lumen of a patient, the delivery system including an elongated body having a proximal end and a distal end, a driver mechanism positioned at the proximal end of the elongated body, an elongated threaded rod located axially distal to the driver mechanism, and a sheath including an elongated tubular portion having a hollow interior portion with a first diameter that is sized for compression and retention of the implantable stented device in a compressed configuration for delivery to a body lumen.

Abstract: A prosthesis includes a tubular graft, a prosthetic valve component, an inflow stent, an outflow stent, and a plurality of body stents disposed between the inflow and outflow stents. Each stent is a sinusoidal patterned radially-expandable ring having a first set of crowns and a second set of crowns, with the first set of crowns disposed closer to an inflow end of the tubular graft than the second set of crowns. The prosthesis is configured to be resistant to backfolding and/or buckling during deployment thereof.

Abstract: A stent graft device that includes a frame, a cover material covering the frame, and an anchoring member having an adjustable geometry is provided. The anchoring member may be incorporated as part of the frame or coupled thereto. The anchoring member may be formed of a material having a tensile strength such that it can be bent, straightened, or otherwise changed in shape. Tissue growth over and/or around the anchoring member anchors the stent graft device within a lumen. During removal of the stent graft device, the geometry of the anchoring member changes to allow the anchoring member to be removed from the tissue growth along a removal path with minimal trauma. The design and/or shape of the anchoring member is not particularly limited so long as the anchoring member has an adjustable geometry that permits tissue overgrowth and subsequent removal from the tissue overgrowth with minimal trauma.

Abstract: An example medical stent for treating a body lumen is disclosed. The example stent includes an expandable scaffold having a first end region, a second end region and an outer surface. The stent further includes a first fixation member coupled to the expandable scaffold and a biodegradable material disposed along the first fixation member at a first tissue engagement region. Further, the biodegradable material is designed to degrade from a first configuration in which the biodegradable material shields the first fixation member from a target tissue site to a second configuration in which the first fixation member is engaged with the target tissue site.

Abstract: A vascular repair device assembly includes a main prostheses, first internal prostheses, an optional second internal prostheses, and at least two sub-prostheses. Methods for delivering vascular repair devices include delivering a vascular repair device through a blood vessel to the aneurysm site, aligning a proximal open end of a main prosthesis cranially to the site of the aneurysm patient and directing a distal end of at least one additional one vascular repair device through a proximal end of at least a first internal lumen, and aligning the proximal end of the additional vascular repair device into a distal end of the at least one sub-prosthesis.

Abstract: A transcatheter valve assembly includes a main body that defines a braided stent frame having a proximal end and a distal end and a graft material covering at least a portion of the braided stent frame. The graft material is coupled to the braided stent frame at each of the proximal end and the distal end. The braided stent frame is configured to modify a length and diameter thereof to fit a diameter of a patient. A medial portion defines one of an open facing surface that is positioned proximal the coronary arteries when the valve assembly is deployed, and a pair of conduits configured for receiving a stent to fluidly engage with the coronary arteries when the valve assembly is deployed. A valve housing is at the proximal end of the transcatheter valve assembly.

Abstract: A prosthesis can include a collapsible, reexpandable frame comprising first, second, and third sets of struts that define first and second rows of expandable cells. In some embodiments, the struts of the first, second, and third set of struts can be tapered. In some embodiments, the frame can include an intermediate section and an inflow section that is proximal to the intermediate section. The inflow section can include a concave saddle portion that is adjacent the intermediate section, and an outwardly flared portion.

Abstract: Flared stents are disclosed, and apparatus and methods for delivering such stents into a bifurcation between a main vessel and a branch vessel. The stent includes a first tubular portion a second flaring portion that may be flared radially outwardly to contact the ostium. The stent may include variable mechanical properties along its length. The stent may be delivered using a catheter including proximal and distal ends, the stent overlying first and second balloons on the distal end. During use, the catheter is advanced through an ostium into the branch to place the stent within the branch. The first balloon is expanded to flare the stent to contact a wall of the ostium, thereby causing the stent to migrate partially into the ostium. The second balloon is expanded to fully expand the stent within the ostium and branch.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of making a sleeve comprising a conical frustum having first and second end profiles and a lumen there through for covering and constraining an expandable device, and apparatuses, systems, and assemblies comprising an expandable device and a sleeve having a frustoconical shape when the expandable device is at least partially expanded. The present disclosure further describes methods for deploying an expandable device in a patient comprising releasing a releasable seam disposed on a sleeve and everting the sleeve while retracting it from the expandable device.

Abstract: A multi-stage stent including a stent body and a bio-erodible material is provided. The stent body can be compressed in an initial state and the bio-erodible material can be coupled to the stent body in a configuration that holds the stent body in an expanded first state, following a first stage expansion from the initial state upon deployment of the stent body. Upon erosion of the bio-erodible material the stent body is released from the first state to expand further in a second stage expansion to a second state.

Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method for coupling a wearable therapy system to a dressing and detaching the wearable therapy system from the dressing. One aspect provides a system including a drape with a switchable adhesive layer and a therapy system adhered to the drape via the switchable adhesive layer. The therapy system includes one or more radiation sources that can emit radiation wavelengths (e.g., light or electromagnetic waves) to impinge upon the adhesive and deactivate the adhesive when it is desired to remove the therapy system from the drape.

Abstract: A stent incorporating flexible, preferably polymeric, connecting elements into the stent wherein these elements connect adjacent, spaced-apart stent elements. Preferably the spaced-apart adjacent stent elements are the result of forming the stent from a helically wound serpentine wire having space provided between adjacent windings. Other stent forms such as multiple, individual spaced-apart ring-shaped or interconnected stent elements may also be used. The connecting elements are typically web-shaped and result from creating slits or apertures in a covering of graft material applied to the stent and then, for example, applying heat to cause the slits or apertures to enlarge. The remaining graft material forms the interconnecting webs between the adjacent stent elements.

Abstract: This document provides implantable intraluminal stent graft medical devices. In some embodiments, the stent graft devices provided herein are implantable in bodily conduits that have side branches, and the stent graft devices are operable to allow the flow of fluids between the conduit and the side branches. In some embodiments, the walls of the stent graft devices provided herein include compliant channels which allow for fluid communication between the interior and the exterior of the stent graft devices. In some embodiments, the compliant channels are configured to inhibit or reduce tissue ingrowth, tissue bridging, and/or endothelialization.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implanting a shunt for regulating blood pressure between a patient's left and right atria are provided. The shunt comprises an anchor having a neck region, first and second end regions, and a conduit affixed with the anchor formed of a biocompatible material that is resistant to transmural and translation tissue ingrowth and that reduces a risk of paradoxical embolism. The shunt may be advanced through the sheath until the first region protrudes from the sheath and self-expands within the left atrium. The shunt and the sheath may then be retracted until the first region contacts the left side of the atrial septum. The sheath may further be retracted until the counterforce exerted by shunt tension on the atrial septum overcomes the friction of the retained portions of the shunt such that the second region is exposed from the sheath and self-expands within the second atrium.

Abstract: A tubular tissue graft device is provided comprising a tubular member and a restrictive fiber matrix of a bioerodible polymer about a circumference of the tubular tissue. The matrix may be electrospun onto the tubular tissue. In one embodiment, the tubular tissue is from a vein, such as a saphenous vein, useful as an arterial graft, for example and without limitation, in a coronary artery bypass procedure. Also provided is method of preparing a tubular graft comprising depositing a fiber matrix of a bioerodible polymer about a perimeter of a tubular tissue to produce a tubular tissue graft device. A cardiac bypass method comprising bypassing a coronary artery with a tubular tissue graft device comprising a vein and a restrictive fiber matrix of a bioerodible polymer about a circumference of the vein also is provided.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments comprise AV fistulas and other anastomotic devices for creating new or reinforcing existing side-branch vessels, and/or bridging neighboring vessels together. An exemplary embodiment may comprise a sidewall port, such as a flanged sidewall port, and/or flow frame design, such as a partially bare, flexible stent or a whisk, for purposes of creating a transmural flow. Another exemplary embodiment may comprise a compliant vessel support to aid in the transition from device to vessel and/or vessel to device, and to promote vessel dilation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an intraluminal vascular prosthesis for implantation into a blood vessel, with a stent framework and a prosthesis material secured onto the stent framework, wherein the vascular prosthesis has a hollow-cylindrical body with a lumen passing there through and a circumferentially closed jacket, wherein at least one substantially U-shaped or V-shaped fenestration-cut in the prosthesis material of the vascular prosthesis is provided, which is dimensioned and formed, such, that via the fenestration-cut a flap-like access to the lumen of the vascular prosthesis for at least one side branch branching off from the hollow-cylindrical body can be formed.

Abstract: An expandable stent (1) to enhance the supply of blood to downstream tissue which is being supplied with blood through a diseased intracranial artery (100) with a stenosis (102) formed therein by plaque with a bore (103) therethrough. The expandable stent (1) comprises first and second end portions (3,4) joined by a central portion (5). The central portion (5) is configured in the expanded state of the stent (1) to be located in the bore (103) of the stenosis (102) with the first and second end portions (3,4) abutting non-diseased parts (104,106) of the artery (100) adjacent the proximal and distal ends (105,107) of the stenosis (102) for anchoring the stent (1) in the artery (100). The central portion (5) with the stent (1) in the expanded state is configured to apply a radial outward pressure to the stenosis (102) such that the diameter of the bore (103) of the stenosis (102) is maintained at its current diameter or increased to approximately 50% of the non-diseased parts (104,106) of the artery (100).

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for transporting and delivering a therapeutic substance to an ear of a subject, including a tubular element (216) configured for deployment in a tympanic membrane (TM) and a fluid transport element (230). The fluid transport element can be configured to transport the therapeutic substance from a proximal side to a distal side of the tubular element. Systems, apparatus, and methods further can include a fluid dispenser including a reservoir configured to contain a therapeutic substance, and a tubular element defining a lumen in fluid communication with an outlet in which the lumen and the outlet are configured to deliver the therapeutic substance from the reservoir to a region proximal to the tympanic membrane. Systems, apparatus, and methods further can include an electrode device.

Abstract: The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to an assembly including a single branch stent device and a modular stent device configured to be coupled to the single branch stent device. The single branch stent device includes a main body and a branch coupling extending radially from the main body. The modular stent device includes a main body configured to be coupled inside of the main body of the single branch stent device, a bypass gate extending distally from a distal end of the main body of the modular stent device, and an artery leg extending distally from the distal end of the main body of the modular stent device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a covered stent (100), including a hollow tubular main body (10), and a window (20) provided on a side wall of the tubular main body (10). An elastic supporting member (30) is provided at a periphery of the window (20); an imaging member (40) is provided on the elastic supporting member (30); and at least part of the imaging member (40) is movably connected to the elastic supporting member (30). Since the imaging member (40) and the elastic supporting member (30) are located at the periphery of the window (20), the imaging member (40) and the elastic supporting member (30) enable the periphery of the window (20) to simultaneously have a good imaging performance and a good supporting performance.

Abstract: A prosthetic component for repair of a patient's aorta includes an uncovered portion spanning the innominate arteries, and a graft material on a proximal end thereof.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing catheters such as delivery catheters is disclosed. The device includes a radially expandable structure which extends from a proximal end to an opposing distal end. The expandable structure is secured to a stabilizer catheter at its proximal end. The device includes means to position the delivery catheter relative to the expandable structure. The means may include one or more attachment members arranged to extend distally from the distal end of the expandable structure. Each attachment member is coupleable to a connector projecting near a distal tip of the delivery catheter. The means may alternatively include one or more sleeves, each arranged for the respective one of the delivery catheters to insert therethrough. A retractable catheter sheath is moveable along the longitudinal axis of the expandable structure to extend the expandable structure between a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration. A kit for stabilizing catheters is also enclosed.

Abstract: One aspect provides a fiducial marker for use with an implantable lead, the fiducial marker having a structure extending along and about a longitudinal axis, the structure having an asymmetrical shape about the longitudinal axis when viewed in any radial direction from the longitudinal axis so as to provide a unique radioscopic silhouette in any radial direction.

Abstract: A medical device can include an elongate manipulation member, and a thrombectomy device connected to the elongate manipulation member. The thrombectomy device can have a first configuration and a second configuration, the thrombectomy device being expandable from the first configuration to the second configuration. The thrombectomy device can include an arcuate marker-mounting projection attached to a portion of the thrombectomy device configured to contact a thrombus. A marker can be coupled to, and extending around, the arcuate marker-mounting projection with the marker and the arcuate marker-mounting projection contacting each other at three discrete locations. A method for engaging a thrombus can include advancing a thrombectomy device to a location radially adjacent to a thrombus in a blood vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surgical or wound dressing comprising a sheet of gellan gum and an antifibrotic agent. Methods of producing dressings comprising gellan gums and biologically active agents area also produced.

Abstract: The vascular prosthesis includes a luminal graft component that defines at least one fenestration and a crimped adapter at the at least one fenestration. The crimped adapter includes a perimeter and an opening with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the fenestration, and includes a crimped portion of generally concentric folds about the opening. The opening can move relative to the perimeter region of the crimped adapter to accommodate positioning of a branch prosthesis extending through the crimped adaptor. The vascular prosthesis is implanted in a patient to thereby treat, for example, an arterial aneurysm that spans a region of an artery that includes at least one arterial branch.

Abstract: An endovascular delivery system includes a bifurcated and inflatable prosthesis including a main tubular body having an open end and opposed ipsilateral and contralateral legs defining a graft wall therein between. A tether is disposed securably disposed to the contralateral leg, and the contralateral leg is releasably restrained towards the ipsilateral leg tether to prevent undesirable movement of the contralateral leg. A release wire within the endovascular delivery system releasably retains the tether near the ipsilateral leg.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of endoscopy. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for delivering a therapeutic agent within a body lumen, and maintaining the therapeutic agent in contact with a wall of the body lumen for a beneficial period of time. In particular, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods to prevent lesions within the gastrointestinal tract from spreading into healthy surrounding tissue.

Abstract: A stent (100) that is sleeved and radially expandable, and which in an expanded state provides a breathable, generally tubular structure sized and shaped for residence in a sinus or nasal cavity or passage, and in an unexpanded state has a cross-sectional diameter suitable for insertion into such cavity or passage. The sleeve limits expansion and outward pressure exerted by the stent and thereby can prevent or reduce the incidence of headache in patients, and can provide increased surface area for improved elution of drugs to nearby mucosal tissue.

Abstract: A replacement heart valve comprises a unibody, folded, double-wall stent, with a stent cover and a leaflet valve attached to the inner lumen of the stent. The heart valve is delivered using a multi-pulley, suture-based stent restraint assembly provided by fixed guide openings or structures along the distal end of the delivery system that independently permits expansion of the distal and proximal ends of the outer wall of the stent, and control of the inner wall expansion simultaneously with or separately from the expansion of the outer wall.

Abstract: An illustrative stent includes an elongated tubular member comprising at least one strut or filament forming a tubular wall having a plurality of cells extending through a thickness of the tubular wall. The elongated tubular member may be configured to move between a radially collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. A coating is disposed on the elongated tubular member and spanning the plurality of cells. The coating forms a pocket within at least some of the cells of the plurality of cells and extends radially inward of the tubular wall to define a void. In some instances, a partition or wall is positioned within at least some of the pockets and transects the void.

Abstract: This invention relates to the design and function of a device which allows for retrieval of a previously implanted valve prosthesis from a beating heart without extracorporeal circulation using a transcatheter retrieval system, including a guide component to facilitate the compression of the valve and retraction into a retrieval catheter, as well as an improved prosthetic transcatheter heart valve having one or more of: a series of radially extending tines having a loop terminus to improve sealing a deployed prosthetic mitral valve against hemodynamic leaking, a pre-compressible stent-in-stent design, or an articulating cuff attached to a covered stent-valve and a commissural sealing skirt structure attached to the underside of the articulating cuff.

Abstract: An example medical device is disclosed. The example medical device includes a tubular scaffold. The scaffold includes a longitudinal axis, an inner surface and an outer surface. The medical device also includes a flexible valve extending radially inward from the inner surface of the scaffold. The valve includes an annular chamber extending circumferentially around the inner surface of the scaffold and is configured to shift from a closed configuration to an open configuration.

Abstract: A medical device for an anastomosis is provided. The medical device distinguishes an inner tubular layer, an outer tubular layer, and a support element defining a longitudinal axis. It further distinguishes two or more independent C-rings distributed and positioned at an acute orientation angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the support element at one end of the support element. The support element and the two or more C-rings are embedded in between the inner and the outer tubular layers. The types of applications one could envision are e.g. a proximal anastomosis, distal anastomosis, or side-to-side anastomoses, in a customized pre-fabricated graft. Embodiments of the invention could also be incorporated into an anastomotic connector device design. Embodiments of the invention could further be envisioned as vascular grafts applications such as Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), dialysis access grafts and peripheral vascular applications.

Abstract: A system, for deployment in a blood vessel includes an anchor device having a stent and a suture loop that joins distal end portions of the stent. A first filling structure and a second filling structure are at least partially insertable through the suture loop to an area within the stent when the stent is in an expanded state. The anchor device has a size such that at least a portion of the first filling structure and at least a portion of the second filling structure protrude through openings in the anchor device to form a seal against a wall of the blood vessel when the first filling structure and the second filling structure have been at least partially inserted through the suture loop and have been filled. A method allows for repairing one or more blood vessels using the system.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes endoluminal devices, such as stents and stent grafts capable of being bent smoothly, with various benefits resulting therefrom.

Abstract: Apparatus includes a delivery tool and a prosthetic valve, the prosthetic valve includes a first frame, and a second frame coupled to the first frame. The delivery tool includes a first catheter, a second catheter, and a rod. A steerable portion of the second catheter extends out of the first catheter, and a steerable distal portion of the rod extends out of the second catheter. An extracorporeal rod-controller is operably coupled to the rod such that operating the extracorporeal rod-controller steers the steerable distal portion of the rod. In a delivery state of the apparatus, the prosthetic valve is compressed onto the rod, distal to the distal end of the second catheter, and the apparatus is transfemorally and transseptally advanceable into a left atrium of a heart of a subject. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A stent with varying porosity is described. The stent can be comprised of multiple stents attached together. A braided stent may have selected regions of increased thickness. The stent may be comprised of wires that are welded together at their ends in order to minimize vessel trauma. The stent may comprise a helically wound radiopaque wire wound through the stent.

Abstract: A tubular graft for use in a stent graft. The tubular graft may include a first woven layer that forms a first side of the tubular graft, where the first woven layer has a set of first warp ends. A second woven layer may forma a second side of the tubular graft, where the second woven layer has a set of second warp ends, and where the second warp ends are distinct from the first warp ends. A woven pocket flap may extend from the first woven layer, where a pocket opening is defined between the woven pocket flap and the first woven layer, and where the woven pocket flap includes at least one common weft yarn with the first woven layer.

Abstract: A manufacturing process includes spinning at least one continuous poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS)/alginate fiber from a polymeric solution comprising PGS and alginate in water, drafting the at least one continuous PGS/alginate fiber in at least one coagulation bath, and drawing the at least one continuous PGS/alginate fiber from the at least one coagulation bath. A yarn includes at least one continuous PGS fiber. A continuous poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS)/alginate fiber forming system includes a feeding tank holding a polymeric solution of alginate and PGS, a pump, a spinneret, a first coagulation bath, a first winder, a second coagulation bath, a second winder, and a bobbin winder, the system forming at least one continuous PGS/alginate fiber from the polymeric solution of alginate and PGS.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes an expandable medical device and outer sheath combination. The outer sheath is capable of being split to form multiple sheath sections that may be peeled back to expose a portion or all of the expandable medical device. The medical device, as well as the outer sheath, may include one or more therapeutic agents for delivery to a treatment area within a patient.

Abstract: The invention includes modifications of a Z stent to allow the top struts of two Z stents deployed in the vena cava in a bilateral relationship, to interleave. One embodiment includes Z stents with angled top surfaces. A second embodiment includes Z stents having an intermediary suture but lacking the top suture in the topmost stent of a stacked stent module.

Abstract: A method of assembling a prosthetic heart valve includes providing a collapsible and expandable stent having an annulus section and an aortic section. The annulus section has a first diameter in a relaxed condition and a second diameter less than the first diameter in a collapsed condition. A constraint is applied to the stent to constrain the annulus section to a predetermined diameter between the first and second diameters. Applying a cuff and/or a plurality of leaflets to the stent in the constrained condition enables less material to be used. The resultant prosthetic valve is therefore able to be collapsed to a smaller diameter for introduction into a patient.

Abstract: Silk performance apparel and methods of preparing the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, silk performance apparel includes textiles, fabrics, consumer products, and other materials that are coated with aqueous solutions of pure silk fibroin-based protein fragments. In some embodiments, coated apparel products exhibit surprisingly improved moisture management properties and increased resistance to microbial growth.

Abstract: A vascular shunt frame with improved apposition including a main body tube; at least one end of the main body tube is provided with a sealing covering; the sealing covering is provided with a main blood flow opening; a shaping component is disposed at the edge of the main blood flow opening. When the main body stent is inserted into the main blood flow opening of the main body tube, the shaping component can be closely attached to the outer surface of the main body stent, such that the sealing covering closely fits the outer surface of the main body stent to prevent endoleaks. The present disclosure also provides a vascular stent provided with an apposition-improved vascular shunt frame.

Abstract: A prosthetic graft assembly (40, 120) is disclosed for placement of a patient's aortic arch and repair of the descending aorta in a procedure which requires only a sternotomy. The assembly includes a descending graft element (40) which includes an eversible cuff (52) which can be wrapped over a cut end (26) of the descending aorta (18). Distal perfusion can be re-established prior to aortic arch replacement. A second prosthetic element (120), optimised to the patient, is fitted with a replacement for the aortic arch and attached to the descending aorta graft (40). An introducer assembly (30) having a transparent or translucent sheath (70) enables the descending aortic graft element (40) to be deployed without the use of x-rays.

Abstract: Medical devices and related method for improving blood flow to regions of a patient are described herein. Some medical devices may include a first graft portion, a second graft portion, and a catheter portion disposed between the first graft portion and the second graft portion. The medical device may be implanted into a patient to establish a non-natural flow path.

Abstract: A blood conduit with stent has a flexible conduit body and an expandable stent structure. The conduit body has a first opening end through which only an inflow of a blood enters and a second opening end through which only an outflow of the blood leaves. The stent structure includes a plurality of threads adhered to the conduit body and expands in directions intersecting an axial direction of the conduit body. A boundary of one of the threads of the stent structure closest to the second opening end is away from the second opening end with a predetermined distance, thereby preventing blood back flow into the false lumen via a new tear.

Abstract: A method for implanting a prosthesis centrally within a curved lumen includes loading a prosthesis into a delivery sheath, advancing the sheath in a patient towards the curved lumen to place at least the proximal end of the prosthesis within the curved lumen, and centering the proximal end of the prosthesis and/or the distal end of the sheath within the curved lumen. In a first advancing step, the outer catheter containing the inner sheath is advanced together towards the curved lumen to a location proximal of the curved lumen and, in a second advancing step, the inner sheath containing the prosthesis is advanced into the curved lumen to place at least the proximal end within the curved lumen while the outer catheter substantially remains at the location. After centering, the proximal end of the prosthesis is deployed centered within the curved lumen.