Abstract: Deflection devices, systems, and methods for the prevention of stroke. Devices hereof comprise an extension portion and an anchor portion, both of which are configured to prevent the device from advancing into the artery extending from the aortic arch in which the device may be positioned. Additionally, a retrieval system is provided, the system comprising a sleeve catheter and a retrieval device slidably disposed therein. The distal end of the retrieval device comprises one or more attachment portions configured to engage at least a portion of the anchor portion of a device positioned within an artery extending from the aortic arch.

Abstract: Provided is a covered endovascular stent-graft comprising a first membrana tectoria for modeling a vascular shape and a stent-graft skeleton fitted to the outside of the first membrana tectoria, at least part of the outer surface of the stent-graft skeleton being covered with a second membrana tectoria; the first membrana tectoria and the second membrana tectoria are combined so that at least part of the stent-graft skeleton is covered between the first membrana tectoria and the second membrana tectoria, wherein the first membrana tectoria and/or the second membrana tectoria is/are a polyvinylidene fluoride resin membrana tectoria. The polyvinylidene fluoride resin membrana tectoria of the covered endovascular stent-graft makes the cost reduced and has good mechanical properties and biological properties.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis system for a branched body lumen comprises a branch vessel prosthesis. The branch vessel prosthesis is deployable within a branch vessel body lumen and comprises a stent having a generally tubular body portion, a flareable proximal end portion, and a coupling portion disposed intermediate the body portion and the flareable portion. The coupling portion is more crush-resistant than the body portion. The flareable proximal end may be disposed within a fenestrated stent graft wit with coupling portion disposed in the fenestration of the fenestrated stent graft.

Abstract: A multi-element, bioresorbable, vascular stent may be used to maintain or enhance patency of a blood vessel. The stent may be used in peripheral blood vessels, which may be long and/or tortuous. By using multiple, separate stent elements that are balloon expandable, the multi-element stent may be stronger than a traditional self-expanding stent but may also be more flexible, due to its multiple-element configuration, than a traditional balloon-expandable stent. Thus, the multi-element, bioresorbable, vascular stent described herein may be particularly advantageous for treating long lesions in tortuous peripheral blood vessels.

Abstract: A method for the hemostasis of perforating and bleeding vessel related to intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) includes navigating an occlusion device into a parent artery and then deploying the occlusive device to transiently occlude bleeding vessels to reduce blood flow and local blood pressure until hemostasis is achieved, while maintaining flow within the parent artery. Embodiments of the occlusion device include a catheter, an expandable member sized for insertion into the mid-cerebral artery (MCA) and having a length sufficient to occlude at least one ostia of the lenticulostriate arteries (LSA), with a flow path for blood provided from a proximal side of the expandable member to a distal side of the expandable member, and a semi-permeable contacting member about the expandable member and adapted to be in contact with a wall of the MCA adjacent the ostia, the semi-permeable member permitting a reduce flow of blood through the ostia.

Abstract: A device (10) for treating heart failure in a patient. The device (10) comprising a body (12), at least one passage (18) through the body (12), at least one one way valve (20) in the passage (18) and a mounting means (14) adapted for mounting the body (12) in an opening provided in the patient's atrial septum. In use, the device (10) is oriented such that, when the patient's left atrial pressure exceeds the patient's right atrial pressure by a predetermined amount, the one way valve(s) (20) opens to allow blood flow through the passage(s) from the left atrium to the right atrium to thereby reduce the left atrial pressure.

Abstract: A hybrid stent includes multiple main cells aligned in a spiral shape and including multiple first link units which are aligned diagonally and spaced at a predetermined distance from each other and multiple second link units which connect adjacent first link units among the multiple first link units and are spaced at a predetermined distance from each other, and one or more open cells adjacent to the multiple main cells in a longitudinal direction and aligned in a spiral shape.

Abstract: Stents formed from dissimilar materials configured to control tissue growth. A stent may be formed from a composite wire helically wound into a stent having a tubular configuration. The composite wire includes a first wire and a second wire coupled together, the first and second wires being formed from dissimilar metals such that a potential difference is formed when the dissimilar metals are exposed to bodily fluids. The potential difference is configured to inhibit cell proliferation and thereby control tissue growth around the stent after implantation. A stent may be formed from a hollow composite wire including an inner member that includes first and second longitudinal strips formed from dissimilar metals. A stent may be formed from a composite wire having a plurality of windows along a length of the composite wire. An insert formed from a dissimilar metal is disposed within each window of the plurality of windows.

Abstract: A strand made of a platinum alloy material is prevented from protruding from both ends of a stent when some strands of the stent are disposed using the strand made of the platinum alloy material. In a stent (10) which is formed by helicoidally braiding a plurality of strands, some strands among the plurality of strands are disposed using a strand made of a platinum alloy material, and a length of the strand made of the platinum alloy material is made shorter than lengths of other strands by a length of the strand made of the platinum alloy material which is estimated to protrude from the stent.

Abstract: An endoluminal device can comprise a flexible tubular wall and a frame member. The frame member can be comprised of a shape-memory material having sides with protrusions which are partially or substantially flattened when formed together with the flexible tubular wall to thereby create a bias in the side wall of the endoluminal device that resists deformation from a desired device profile during crush loading and is thereby resistant to invaginations when deployed.

Abstract: An elastic ring, defining an inner opening, an outer contour and an annular bearing surface between the inner opening and the outer contour. The ring is deformable between a rest position and an insertion position in which the inner opening has a diameter greater than its diameter in the rest position. The ring is also elastically biased towards the rest position. The ring includes at least three strands passing through the ring, each strand having a first end and a second end positioned on the outer contour, the inner contour of the opening being defined by a portion of each strand and having a pseudo-polygonal shape.

Abstract: Methods for treatment of a cerebral aneurysm within a cerebral vasculature of a patient are described. A microcatheter and a device for treatment of the aneurysm are provided. The device is a self-expanding resilient permeable shell having a plurality of elongate resilient filaments with a woven structure. The plurality of filaments includes small and large filaments. The filaments are bundled and secured to each other at a proximal end. A ratio of the total cross-sectional area of small filaments to the total cross-sectional area of large filaments may be between 0.56 and 1.89. The distal end of the microcatheter is advanced to a region of interest within a cerebral artery. The device is advanced through the lumen and out of the distal end of the microcatheter such that the permeable shell deploys and expands within the cerebral aneurysm. The microcatheter is then withdrawn from the cerebral artery.

Abstract: Woven structures and associated systems for weaving such structures are disclosed. Some disclosed innovations pertain to braided structures, such as braided wire structures, with axially asymmetric woven structures (or “directional meshes”) being examples. Other innovations disclosed herein pertain to methods of manufacturing woven structures, with automated methods of braiding directional meshes being examples. Some directional mesh embodiments can be configured and used as energizable electrodes for electrosurgical therapies, for example, bipolar vaporization therapies.

Abstract: A device for providing cardiac treatment at the left atrium of a patient's heart. The device includes a retention body and a prosthetic valve. The retention body has a shape that can be manipulated between a collapsed state and a normal or expanded state. First and second openings are defined at one side of the retention body, and a lower opening is defined at an opposite side. The prosthetic valve is carried by the retention body at the lower opening. The retention body is configured to engage a substantial portion of an interior surface of the left atrium, securing the prosthetic valve at a desired location relative to a native mitral valve (e.g., within the mitral valve or slightly spaced from the mitral valve). The first and second openings are sized and shaped so as to permit blood flow from the pulmonary veins into the interior region.

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 substantially the same. 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: An intraluminal prosthesis includes a stent architecture having a series of stent elements repeating along a circumferential axis. One series of stent elements includes v-shaped stent elements having at least four different orientations, and V-shaped stent elements connecting adjacent v-shaped stent elements. One series of stent elements includes R-shaped stent elements having at least four different orientations, and U-shaped stent elements having at least two different orientations, the U-shaped stent elements connecting adjacent R-shaped stent elements. Adjacent series of stent elements can be connected by connectors. Portions of the stent elements may narrow in width along a length thereof. The stent architecture may include radiopaque element receiving members. The stent architecture may be formed by machining a metal or polymer tube. The intraluminal prosthesis may include one or more graft layers.

Abstract: A prosthetic valve for implanting in a patient's native valve has a self-expanding frame that comprises a first end, a second end opposite the first end, an anterior portion, and a posterior portion. The self-expanding frame has an expanded configuration adapted to engage tissue at a treatment site, and a collapsed configuration adapted to be delivered to the treatment site. The expandable frame also comprises a self-expanding atrial skirt near the second end, a self-expanding ventricular skirt near the first end, a self-expanding annular region disposed between first and second ends, a first self-expanding anterior tab disposed on the anterior portion, and a self-expanding foot coupled to the posterior portion and extending radially outward. The foot has an outer surface for engaging the tissue thereby facilitating anchoring of the prosthetic valve and minimizing or preventing rotation of the prosthetic valve.

Abstract: A prosthesis can comprise an expandable frame, a plurality of distal anchors and a plurality of proximal anchors. The anchors can extend outwardly from the frame. The frame can be configured to radially expand and contract for deployment within a body cavity. The frame and anchors can have one of many different shapes and configurations. For example, when the frame is in an expanded configuration, the frame can have a larger cross-sectional dimension in a middle portion of the frame and a smaller cross-sectional dimension in a proximal portion and a distal portion of the frame, wherein the middle portion is between the proximal and distal portions. As another example, the anchors can have looped ends, the entire anchor may loop out from the frame.

Abstract: A method including generating a 3-D model of an unstenosed geometry of a blood vessel responsive to a 3-D model of an actual geometry of the blood vessel, establishing a parametric description of a stent that is expanded from a collapsed configuration to a final configuration that apposes the unstenosed geometry, developing a design for the stent by varying parameters of the parametric description responsive to a design heuristic that includes risk of stent strut breakage during a plastic deformation between the collapsed configuration and the final configuration, embodying the stent according to the design for the stent, inserting the stent into a blood vessel in its collapsed configuration, maneuvering the stent through the blood vessel to a stenosis, and expanding the stent to its final configuration.

Abstract: Prosthetic mitral valves and their methods of manufacture and use.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a fatigue resistant stent includes a flexible tubular structure having an inside diameter, an outside diameter, and a sidewall therebetween and having apertures extending through the sidewall. According to other aspects of the invention, processes for making a fatigue resistant stent are disclosed. According to further aspects of the invention, delivery systems for a fatigue resistant stent and methods of use are provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of treating hypoxia in tissue of a blood vessel, the method comprising placing a stent in the vessel, the stent having a centre line which curves in three dimensions to promote the supply of oxygen from the blood flowing in the lumen of the stented vessel to the vessel wall. There is disclosed a method of treating a subject with diabetic atherosclerosis, the method comprising placing a stent in a blood vessel of the subject, the stent having a centre line which curves in three dimensions to promote the supply of oxygen from the blood flowing in the lumen of the stented vessel to the vessel wall.

Abstract: Stents can become twisted during deployment within tortuous vessels such that proper expansion against the vessel wall is inhibited. Stents can be twisted prior to deployment in a direction opposite the direction of twisting during deployment to facilitate full expansion of the stent against the vessel wall along the stent's entire length.

Abstract: A stent is provided that includes a body extending between a distal and a proximal end. The body is defined by a plurality of elongated members, with each elongated member extending between a distal end that is coterminous with the distal end of the body and a proximal end that is coterminous with the proximal end of the body. Each of the plurality of elongated members are arranged so as to define a lumen extending along the length of the respective plurality of elongated members, the lumen extending between the distal and proximal ends of the body so as to form a lumen length. Each of the plurality of elongated members are configured to permit drainage of a fluid from within the lumen to an environment external the stent along the entire lumen length.

Abstract: An iron based and absorbable implanted prefabricated tube (1) for medical device and preparation method therefor, and a medical device prepared by the prefabricated tube and preparation method therefor. The average nitrogen content of nitrogen in the prefabricated tube is from 0.04-0.4 wt. % or 0.02-0.04 wt. %. The prefabricated tube can be cut along the length direction directly by laser or by machining to obtain multiple absorbable implanted medical devices.

Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a component containing an iron alloy material, a pulverulent pre-alloy is provided. The pre-alloy comprises, in wt. %, 0.01 to 1% C, .0.01 to 30% Mn, ?6% Al, and 0.05 to 6.0% Si, the remainder being Fe and usual contaminants. The pulverulent pre-alloy is mixed with at least one of elementary Ag powder, elementary Au powder, elementary Pd powder and elementary Pt powder so as to produce a powder mixture containing 0.1 to 20% of at least one of Ag, Au, Pd and Pt. The powder mixture is applied onto a carrier (16) by means of a powder application device (14). Electromagnetic or particle radiation is selectively irradiated onto the powder mixture applied onto the carrier (16) by means of an Irradiation device (18) so as to generate a component from the powder mixture by an additive layer construction method.

Abstract: A radially expansible annular stent is disclosed. The stent comprises a plurality of stenting turns around a lumen centered on a longitudinal axis. Adjacent turns of the stent are joined by connector struts. The stent annulus has a wall thickness related to the material from which it is formed. The radial thickness of the connector struts is smaller than that of the stent annulus. A method of making such a stent is also disclosed. The method includes cutting the connector struts from a tubular workpiece with a laser beam. The laser beam is aimed so as to be offset from a longitudinal axis of the workpiece to provide the reduced radial thickness of the connector struts.

Abstract: Lumen support devices and methods of their use are provided. A lumen support includes one or more plastically deformable cells having two stable configurations with no stable configurations between the two stable configurations. The lumen support device may be plastically deformed to other stable configurations.

Abstract: An angioplasty catheter comprises a catheter body having a balloon or other radially expandable shell at its distal end. An external structure is carried over the shell and scores a stenosed region in a blood vessel when the balloon is inflated therein. The catheter has an attachment structure disposed between the catheter body and the balloon to accommodate foreshortening and rotation of the external structure as the balloon is expanded. The external structure may be part of a helical cage structure which floats over the balloon. Stabilizing struts are provided between at least some of the helical struts.

Abstract: A delivery apparatus can include a handle portion and at least one rotatable drive shaft. The handle portion can have an actuation mechanism with a motor. The rotatable drive shaft can have a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion of the rotatable drive shaft can be coupled to the motor, and the distal end portion of the rotatable drive shaft can be configured to be releasably coupled to a prosthetic heart valve. The actuation mechanism can be configured to control and monitor expansion of the prosthetic heart valve and to control and monitor torque of the motor.

Abstract: A tissue fixation device includes an elongated body extending between a proximal portion and a distal portion including a plurality of barbed loops. The elongated body, proximal portion, and distal portion are provided in a variety of configurations depending upon the performance requirements desired of the tissue fixation device for the envisaged application of use.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, and a method for making it from a single length of tubing. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common axis and interconnected by one or more links. A Y-shaped member is comprised of a U-shaped member and a link having a curved portion and a straight portion to improve the flexibility and thereby improve the fatigue performance of the Y-link junction.

Abstract: An ostial stent is operable to be placed at the ostium of a patient's vascular system so as to improve vessel patency in the ostial region. The ostial stent includes a stent tube that presents spaced apart proximal and distal stent openings and a longitudinal stent passage that extends between the openings. The stent tube includes a selectively-expandable tube section and a self-expandable tube section. The self-expandable tube section projects longitudinally from one of the stent openings, and is automatically expandable to a flared condition for placement within the ostium.

Abstract: A stent suitable for deployment in a blood vessel to support at least part of an internal wall of the blood vessel includes a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart annular elements, and a plurality of connecting elements to connect adjacent annular elements. Each connecting element is circumferentially offset from the previous connecting element. Upon application of a load to the stent, the stent moves from an unloaded configuration to a loaded configuration. In the unloaded configuration the longitudinal axis of the stent is straight, and the stent is cylindrically shaped. In the loaded configuration the longitudinal axis of the stent is curved in three-dimensional space, and the stent is helically shaped.

Abstract: A stent includes a stent body defining a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal ends. The stent body is expandable from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration and includes a plurality of stent segments including first and second end segments on opposite ends of the stent body and at least one intermediate segment disposed between the first end segment and the second end segment. Each stent segment defines a plurality of cells. The first end segment defines a plurality of peaks and valleys. The distance between a peak and an adjacent valley of the first end segment is substantially equal to a first length. The at least one intermediate segment defines a plurality of peaks and valleys. The distance between a peak and an adjacent valley of the at least one intermediate segment is substantially equal to a second length that is longer than the second length.

Abstract: Implementations described herein provide for junctionless monolithic composite implants and methods for manufacturing the same. The implant includes a monolithic composite body having a first region comprising a first metal alloy, a second region comprising a second metal alloy, and a transition region disposed between the first region and the second region formed from a bonded mixture of the first alloy and the second alloy. In one example, the transition region is a sintered mixture of the first alloy and the second alloy. In another example, the transition region is disposed at a region of minimum stress within the monolithic composite body under physiological loading conditions of the implant.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of a stent with a high degree of flexibility are shown and described. The stent can include a continuous helical winding having interconnected struts joined at vertices, and having bridges connecting sections of the helical winding to each other. An annular ring can be provided at one or both ends of the helical winding, and the annular ring can have extensions extending to connect to the helical winding. One of the extensions can connect to a bridge and another extension can connect to a vertex. The struts at the ends of the helical winding can have strut lengths that differ from the strut lengths of the struts in a central portion of the winding between the ends of the winding.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a radially collapsible frame (1) for a prosthetic valve, the frame (1) comprising an outflow end region (3) at a proximal end of the frame (1) and an inflow end region (2) at a distal end of the frame (1), opposite to the outflow end region (3). The frame (1) further includes at least two radially spaced commissure attachment regions (10, 10?, 10?) and a cell structure (30), composed of a plurality of lattice cells being arranged radially around a flow axis of the frame (1) and connecting the at least two commissure attachment regions (10, 10?, 10?). Finally, at least one anchoring/positioning arch (20, 20?, 20?) is provided, wherein said at least one anchoring/positioning arch (20, 20?, 20?) radially overlaps the cell structure (30) at least partially.

Abstract: Medical devices and methods for making and using a medical device are disclosed. An example medical device may include a stent that comprises a first covered region formed of one or more interwoven filaments and a covering. The stent may also comprise a second uncovered region adjacent the first covered region. The second uncovered region may include a knitted filament. A first end of the knitted filament may be attached to the first covered region. The knitted filament is configured to be unraveled to remove both the first covered region and the second uncovered region of the stent while the first end of the knitted stent remains attached to the first covered region.

Abstract: Systems, methods and kits relating to in-situ forming polymer foams for the treatment of aneurysms are disclosed. The systems include an insertable medical device and an in-situ forming foam that is formed from a polymer that reacts in an aqueous environment. When used to treat an aneurysm, the foam is placed into contact with at least a portion of an exterior surface of the medical device and/or the tissue surface of the aneurysm.

Abstract: An aortic graft assembly includes a tubular component that defines a wall aperture having a proximal end that extends perpendicular to a major longitudinal axis of the tubular aortic component, and a tunnel graft connected to the wall of the tubular aortic component and extending from the wall aperture toward a proximal end of the tubular aortic component. The method for delivery of the aortic graft assembly includes delivering the aortic graft assembly through the wall aperture and into interfering relation with the tunnel graft.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of a stent with a high degree of flexibility are shown and described. The stent can include a continuous helical winding and at least one bridge. The continuous helical winding has a plurality of circumferential sections that circumscribe a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end to define a tube. The circumferential sections are spaced apart along the axis. The at least one bridge is configured to connect one circumferential section to an axially-spaced adjacent circumferential section. The at least one bridge extends on a plane generally orthogonal with respect to the axis.

Abstract: Stents and method of inserting a stent into a delivery catheter are disclosed. In a disclosed embodiment, a stent for redirecting blood flow away from an aneurysmal sac is provided. The stent comprises an elongate frame that is radially contractable from a fully radially expanded state to a radially contracted state in a process involving elongation of the frame, wherein: the fully radially expanded state represents the state of the frame at body temperature when no external force is applied to the frame; in the radially contracted state the frame has a maximum lateral dimension that is at least 30% smaller than the maximum lateral dimension of the frame in the fully radially expanded state; and the frame comprises a low porosity region for positioning at the opening to the aneurysmal sac, the low porosity region having a porosity of less than 50% when the frame is in the fully radially expanded state.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for use with a native valve of a heart of a subject. The apparatus includes: (1) an annular upstream support portion, comprising an expandable first frame, the upstream support portion configured to be placed against an upstream surface of the native valve; (2) a flexible polyester connector; and (3) an anchoring element, flexibly coupled to the upstream support portion by the connector, and configured to anchor the upstream support portion to the native valve by engaging tissue of the native valve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to tissue-supporting medical devices and drug delivery systems, and more particularly to tubular flexible stents that are implanted within a body lumen of a living animal or human to support the organ, maintain patency and/or deliver drugs or agents. The tubular flexible stent has a cylindrical shape defining a longitudinal axis and includes a helical section having of a plurality of longitudinally oriented strut members and a plurality of circumferentially oriented hinge members connecting circumferentially adjacent strut members to form a band. The band is wrapped about the longitudinal axis in a substantially helical manner to form a plurality of helical windings. At least one connector member extends between longitudinally adjacent helical windings of the band.

Abstract: A joining arrangement between a main tube (3) and a side arm (5) in a side arm stent graft (1). The side arm (5) is stitched into an aperture (11) in the main tube and is in fluid communication with it. The aperture is triangular, elliptical or rectangular and the side arm is cut off at an angle to leave an end portion having a circumferential length equal to the circumference of the aperture. The side arm can also include a connection socket (76) comprising a first resilient ring (79) around the arm at its end, a second resilient ring (80) spaced apart along the arm from the first ring and a zig zag resilient stent (82) between the first and second rings. The zig-zag resilient stent can be a compression stent. Both the main tube and the side arm are formed from seamless tubular biocompatible graft material.

Abstract: A prosthetic heart valve includes a collapsible and expandable stent having a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of commissure features disposed between the proximal end and the distal end. The stent includes a plurality of struts, selected ones of the struts having multiple widths along their length and being wider adjacent the commissure features than at locations spaced away from the commissure features. A collapsible and expandable valve assembly includes a plurality of leaflets connected to the plurality of commissure features.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of treating hypoxia in tissue of a blood vessel, the method comprising placing a stent in the vessel, the stent having a center line which curves in three dimensions to promote the supply of oxygen from the blood flowing in the lumen of the stented vessel to the vessel wall. There is disclosed a method of treating a subject with diabetic atherosclerosis, the method comprising placing a stent in a blood vessel of the subject, the stent having a center line which curves in three dimensions to promote the supply of oxygen from the blood flowing in the lumen of the stented vessel to the vessel wall.

Abstract: A prosthetic mitral valve includes an anchor assembly, a strut frame, and a plurality of replacement leaflets secured to the annular strut frame. The anchor assembly includes a ventricular anchor, an atrial anchor, and a central portion therebetween. The ventricular anchor and the atrial anchor are configured to flare radially outwards relative to the central portion. The annular strut frame is disposed radially within the anchor assembly and is attached to the anchor assembly. The central portion is configured to align with a native valve orifice and the ventricular anchor and the atrial anchor are configured to compress native cardiac tissue therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high entropy alloy having more improved mechanical properties by controlling contents of additive elements in a NiCoFeMnCr 5-element alloy to control stacking fault energy, thereby controlling stability of a ? austenite phase to control a transformation mechanism, wherein the stacking fault energy is controlled in a composition range of NiaCobFecMndCre (a+b+c+d+e=100, 1?a?50, 1?b?50, 1?c?50, 1?d?50, 10?e?25, and 77a?42b?22c+73d?100e+2186?1500), and thus, the ? austenite phase exhibits a twin-induced plasticity (TWIP) property or a transformation induced-plasticity (TRIP) property in which the ? austenite phase is subjected to phase transformation into an ? martensite phase or an ?? martensite phase, under stress, thereby having improved strength and elongation at the same time to have excellent mechanical properties.