Abstract: An implantable vascular graft includes an outer tube structure formed of a textile material, and an inner tube structure formed of a non-textile material. The inner tube structure is within the outer tube structure in coaxial relation therewith. One or both of the outer and inner tube structures have deformable reinforced portions incorporated therein. The deformable reinforced portions provide for conformance of the associated one or both of the outer and inner tube structures to a vessel of a patient. An implantable laminate prosthesis includes a first layer structure formed of textile material, and a second layer structure formed of non-textile material. The first and second layer structures are secured together in laminating relation. The first or second layer structure has a reinforced portion.

Abstract: A vascular graft prosthesis having a reinforced margin designed and configured to strengthen the margin for various purposes, such as to minimize suture hole elongation and prevent suture line tearing during vessel anastomosis, thereby enhancing the vessel anastomosis and the anastomotic site.

Abstract: A multilayer composite vascular access graft and a method of constructing such a graft are disclosed. The mcVAG has improved performance characteristics, which include desirable handling characteristics such as ease of suturing, kink resistance and the ability to serve as a cannulation route soon after the implant procedure.

Abstract: There is described an artificial blood vessel for use in a region of a living body which needs to be repeatedly pierced with a needle. The artificial blood vessel includes a main section having a vessel wall which includes a laminated assembly comprising an inner layer, an outer layer, and an intermediate layer positioned therebetween, and a pair of anastomotic sections disposed on the respective opposite ends of the main section. Each of the anastomotic sections has an intermediate layer thinner than the intermediate layer of the main section or is free of an intermediate layer, so that the anastomotic section as a vessel wall thinner than the main section.

Abstract: A modular elongated stent having an overlap region where two modular components fit together, the overlap region being relatively stiff as compared to another more flexible region of the stent when the stent is in an assembled configuration, the stent further comprising a mimic region that has a stiffness essentially equivalent to the stiffness of the overlap region, to provide kink resistance. A stent having such a mimic region or otherwise stiff region and a flexible region may have a transition region between the stiff and flexible regions, also to provide kink resistance. A stent may have relatively stiff regions and relatively flexible regions positioned to align the flexible regions with curved regions of a body lumen when deployed within the body lumen. The stiffness of the stiff, flexible, and transition regions may be controlled by varying the cross-sectional area of the stent components and/or by varying the stent architecture.

Abstract: Medical devices and related methods are disclosed.

Abstract: An anastomotic device includes a tube and anastomotic coupler rings having vessel openings attached to each end of the tube. In an embodiment, the diameters of the vessel openings are different.

Abstract: An anastomotic device has a tube with three or more tube portions that are connected together. A first anastomotic coupler ring is attached to a first tube portion. A second anastomotic coupler ring is attached to a second tube portion. In an embodiment, a third anastomotic coupler ring is attached to a third tube portion.

Abstract: An anastomotic device includes a tube and anastomotic coupler rings having vessel openings attached to each end of the tube. In an embodiment, the diameters of the vessel openings are the same.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and systems for treating aneurysms using filling structures filled with a curable medium. An embodiment of a method comprises positioning at least one double-walled filling structure across the aneurysm and filling the structure(s) with a filling medium so that an outer wall conforms to the inside of the aneurysm and an inner wall forms a generally tubular lumen to provide for blood flow. The lumen is supported with a balloon or other expandable device while and/or after filling. The pressure within the structure and/or in the space between an external wall of the structure and the aneurysm wall is monitored and a flow of the medium into the structure is controlled responsive to the pressure. The pressure can also be used to determine a filling endpoint. The medium is hardened while the lumen remains supported by the balloon. The balloon is then removed after the medium hardens.

Abstract: A catheter assembly and related methods directed to stent edge protection for an edge of a stent. One example stent edge protect member is positioned with a distal end portion of the stent edge protect member arranged proximal of and adjacent to a proximal end of the stent. The stent edge protect member defines an outer surface that transitions from an outer surface of the stent at the proximal end of the stent to an outer surface of the catheter branch on which the stent edge protect member is positioned. The stent edge protect member can be positioned on a single catheter branch or multiple catheter branches.

Abstract: The vascular graft includes a conduit structure having outer and inner wall surfaces. The conduit structure includes a longitudinal central portion having a flexibility. The conduit structure further includes a pair of longitudinal intermediate portions each of which are integral with the central portion and located longitudinally such that the central portion is between the intermediate portions. The intermediate portions each have a flexibility which is less than the flexibility of the central portion.

Abstract: A method of non-delaminably bonding a non-porous thermoplastic elastomer to a substrate by heating a bilayer of the elastomer and the substrate for a predetermined time and a product obtained by the method. Methods for producing non-delaminable conduits and non-delaminable kink-resistant conduits constructed of biocompatible elastomers and substrates, and products produced by these methods are taught. Methods, products, and articles of manufacture relating to non-delaminable monofilament supported kink-resistive conduits that may be used as inflow conduits in left ventricular assist devices for treatment of heart failure are also provided.

Abstract: A low profile, implantable prosthesis includes (a) a tubular graft including opposed open ends and having yarns in a textile pattern to define a textile wall having a luminal surface and an exterior surface; and (b) a tubular, radially extensible member including a portion arranged in a closed zig-zag pattern, the pattern having a series of angled bends at proximal and distal ends thereof, and longitudinally extending members having opposed proximal and distal ends, the distal ends being disposed from the angled bends of the proximal end; the longitudinally extending members having a plurality of detents for securing the yarns within the textile pattern at one of the opposed open ends, wherein the yarns of the textile patterns are securably disposed to the detents. The detents may be holes, inwardly extending notches, outwardly extending protuberances, or combinations thereof in the longitudinally extending members.

Abstract: Medical devices, such as endoprostheses, and methods of making the devices are disclosed. In some embodiments, a medical device includes a composite having a metallic matrix and a plurality of particles in the matrix, the particles and the matrix having different compositions.

Abstract: A medical device having at least one expandable stent, and at least three removable slat members carried by the stent. The removable slat members provide a substantially continuous cover for the medical device, and thus impede the flow of blood through the peripheral walls of the medical device. When deployed within a blood vessel, some of the slat members may serve to cover an aneurysm and restrict the blood flow into the aneurysm. In addition, one or more of the slat members may be selectively removed to provide blood flow into a branching blood vessel. In an alternative embodiment, an inner expandable stent is coaxially disposed within the outer expandable stent, and three removable slat members are carried by the inner expandable stent.

Abstract: A stent includes a first portion including first and second bands of cells that flare outwardly when the stent is expanded from a contracted to a flared condition, and a second portion connected to the first portion by flexible connectors. During use, the stent is introduced into a main vessel in the contracted condition and positioned with the first portion adjacent an ostium and the second portion within a branch vessel extending from the ostium. The first portion is flared, causing first struts of the first set of cells to move from an axial towards a radial and partial circumferential orientation and causing second struts of the second set of cells to move from an axial towards a radial orientation. The stent is expanded further such that the second portion expands within the branch body lumen, and the first and second struts move towards a more circumferential orientation.

Abstract: A miniature rotating portion, anchored to and used within the human body. Optionally and preferably, the device may be used to generate energy for sensors or other implantable devices.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a stent-graft for use in a medical procedure that comprises a graft having at least first and second reinforced holes disposed in the graft. The first and second reinforced holes may comprise first and second grommets. In one embodiment, a first stent may be coupled to the graft using at least one suture disposed through the first and second grommets. Alternatively, a first stent may be coupled to the graft, such that the first stent itself is disposed through the first and second grommets. The grommets may comprise self-sealing properties to reduce leakage around the sutures and/or stent segments that are disposed through the grommets.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a barbed stent having at least one integrally-formed barb. In one embodiment, the barbed stent comprises a stent having at least one segment forming a strut. A slit is formed in the strut, preferably such that the slit is disposed partially but not entirely through the strut. A barbed portion is formed extending from the strut, whereby the slit separates the barbed portion from a remainder of the strut. The barbed portion then may be bent at an angle with respect to the strut, and a sharpened tip suitable for engaging tissue may be formed, for example, by grinding an end region of the barbed portion.

Abstract: Implantable prosthetic valves comprising support frames are provided. The support frames may include a plurality of symmetrically arrayed interconnected U-shaped member structures. Preferred support frames are tubular structures enclosing a longitudinal axis and including a plurality of U-shaped member structures facing a distal or a proximal end of the support frame. Each U-shaped member structure may be connected to a single longitudinally adjacent U-shaped member facing in an opposite longitudinal direction, as well as two laterally adjacent U-shaped members.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for implanting expandable prostheses in the body lumens rely on stapling or anchoring the prostheses with separately introduced fasteners. The prostheses may be self-expanding or balloon expandable, and may include a single lumen or more than one lumen. After initial placement, a stapling system is introduced within the expanded prosthesis to deploy a plurality of fasteners to at least one prosthesis end. The stapling system may apply a force to the prosthesis to modify the shape of the prosthesis to conform to the shape of the vessel wall. The stapling system can be deflected in one or more distinct steerable segments. A lumen extension or lumens may be coupled to the prosthesis to extend the reach of the prosthesis within the implantation site. Fasteners may also be applied to the lumen extensions.

Abstract: An enhanced stent apparatus, comprising: a support element, wherein the support element is constructed to be positioned in a body lumen; and, a porous structure, the porous structure located on a surface of the support element, and wherein the porous structure is comprised of at least one fiber under 30 microns in diameter, has a coverage area of less than 30% and is provided with apertures.

Abstract: Modular graft systems with conjoinable grafts comprising graft material with the system comprising a first and second graft prosthesis with mating ends, securing rods attached to one of the mating ends comprising at least one spike that juts from the securing rod. The other of the mating ends is double layered with graft material for receiving at least one spike in the first layer of graft material when the mating ends are conjoined.

Abstract: All metal stent grafts and covered stents having either a single structural supporting stent member with concentrically positioned graft members on the luminal and abluminal surfaces of the stent member or a single graft member with concentrically positioned structural supporting stent members on the luminal and abluminal surfaces of the graft member are provided.

Abstract: Aneurysms are treated by filling a double-walled filling structure with a curable medium. The structures may be delivered over balloon deployment mechanisms in order to shape and open tubular lumens therethrough. The filling structures are preferably used in pairs for providing flow into the iliac arteries when treating abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Abstract: A method for implanting a balloon expandable stent at a site within a passageway of a curved coronary article. The stent includes at least two longitudinally spaced apart circumferential rings. At least one longitudinally extending connector extends between adjacent rings. The connector has at least one turn back portion that can expand or contract in length while being passed through a curved passageway. The stent is disposed on a stent delivery catheter having an inflatable balloon. The stent delivery catheter and the stent is delivered through the passageway to the site of implementation with the connector member expanding or contracting in length to facilitate delivery and placement of the stent. The stent is expanded at the site of implantation by inflating the balloon to force the stent radially outward against the wall of the coronary artery.

Abstract: A vascular prosthesis includes a prosthesis wall whose outer surface has at least one reinforcing means, the surface of the prosthesis wall and the surface of the at least one reinforcer being coated, at least in part, with an antimicrobial layer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a polymer stent with one or more markers such that when the stent is placed within a lumen, the markers can be detected external to the body. The markers can also be used to monitor the stent position after placement and absorption of bioabsorbable stents. Further, the stent may comprise two markers used to determine the diameter of the stent in real time. It is also contemplated that the stent may comprise at least three markers. The use of at least three markers enables the three dimensional orientation of the stent to be determined at any time. The stent may also comprise markers such that the markers are located in regions with different in vivo lifetimes. It is also contemplated that the pattern and material type of markers on the stent may be used to determine the type of stent within a lumen or box.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for repair of stenotic and aneurysmic vessels utilizing in situ deployment of an inflatable tubular shaped device (1) having a longitudinally oriented annulus (17). When inflated, the size and rigidity of the device (1) is increased, thereby providing supplemental strength to the vessel wall and a lumen (8) for the passage of fluid.

Abstract: The invention provides a self-sealing arteriovenous graft including a tube having a polymeric inner layer defining a lumen through which blood may flow and an outer textile layer. The outer textile layer is concentrically disposed about the inner layer. Furthermore, an intermediate self-sealing layer is concentrically positioned between the inner and outer layers. The self-sealing layer includes a biocompatible polymer.

Abstract: A compressible and expandable stent assembly for implantation in a body lumen such as a mitral valve, the stent assembly including at least one stent barrel that is shaped and sized so that it allows for normal operation of adjacent heart structures. One or more stent barrels can be included in the stent assembly, where one or more of the stent barrels can include a cylinder with a tapered edge.

Abstract: An intraluminal graft includes a tubular graft body extending along a cylindrical axis, a plurality of wires spaced apart from each other and arranged to circumferentially reinforce said tubular graft body along a substantial portion of its length, and a body surface including an inner surface region and an outer surface region. The body surface defines a plurality of apertures extending from an exterior space, and a first portion of a first wire is in the interior space while a second portion of the first wire is in the exterior space.

Abstract: A bifurcated or straight intravascular folded tubular member is deliverable percutaneously or by small cutdown to the site of a vascular lesion. Its inserted state has a smaller nondeployed diameter and a shorter nondeployed length. The intravascular tubular member has a folded tubular section that is unfolded following insertion into the blood vessel. The length of the intravascular folded tubular member is sized in situ to the length of the vessel lesion without error associated with diagnostic estimation of lesion length. The folded tubular member is self-expandable or balloon-expandable to a larger deployed diameter following delivery to the lesion site. An attachment anchor can be positioned at the inlet or outlet ends of the intravascular folded tubular member to prevent leakage between the tubular member and the native vessel lumen and to prevent migration of the tubular member. The attachment anchor has a short axial length to provide a more focal line of attachment to the vessel wall.

Abstract: A helical formation (2) for a conduit (1). The helical formation (2) comprises an elongate member defining at least a portion of a helix, the elongate member comprising two inwardly extending portions (6, 7). The inwardly extending portions (6, 7) are spaced from each other and extend along the length of the elongate member in side-by-side relationship.

Abstract: Medical devices, for example, implantable devices such as endoprostheses, include a composite material having a polymer.

Abstract: Prosthetic conduits include biocompatible material formed into a generally cylindrical section and an expanded section connected to the generally cylindrical section. The conduit has a lumen extending through the generally cylindrical section and the expanded section. The biocompatible material may be tissue. The biocompatible material can include one segment or a plurality of segments joined together to form the generally cylindrical section and the expanded section. The prosthetic conduit may include a reinforcement to prevent dilation or collapse of the conduit. The reinforcement can be placed at or near the junction of a generally cylindrical section and an expanded section and/or at other locations along the conduit. The prosthetic conduit may include a prosthetic heart valve. The prosthetic conduit can include tubules to facilitate attachment of coronary arteries to the prosthetic conduit The prosthetic conduit includes two sections that are joined to form the prosthetic conduit.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthesis includes a tubular graft, an expandable annular support structure and a restraining mechanism restraining the prosthesis in a collapsed configuration in which the annular support structure is compressed to a low profile. The restraining mechanism holds the annular support structures in the collapsed configuration until the prosthesis is positioned for deployment. The restraining mechanism is then released to allow the annular support structures to expand into conforming engagement with the inner wall of a lumen in which the prosthesis is to be deployed. A feature according to the invention provides a balloon catheter onto which the prosthesis is loaded for deployment where the balloon is expanded to provide a radial force to release the restraining mechanism. Another feature provides for a restraining member that breaks upon application of the radial force to release the annular support structure from its constrained configuration.

Abstract: Metal foils, wires, and seamless tubes with increased mechanical strength are provided. As opposed to wrought materials that are made of a single metal or alloy, these materials are made of two or more layers forming a laminate structure. Laminate structures are known to increase mechanical strength of sheet materials such as wood and paper products and are used in the area of thin films to increase film hardness, as well as toughness. Laminate metal foils have not been used or developed because the standard metal forming technologies, such as rolling and extrusion, for example, do not lend themselves to the production of laminate structures. Vacuum deposition technologies can be developed to yield laminate metal structures with improved mechanical properties. In addition, laminate structures can be designed to provide special qualities by including layers that have special properties such as superelasticity, shape memory, radio-opacity, corrosion resistance etc.

Abstract: A bypass graft includes a tubular portion having an internal tubular diameter and a first end and a second end. The tubular portion has a central axis. A flared portion has an adjoining end, wherein the adjoining end of the flared portion is integrally formed on and is substantially concentric with the second end of the tubular portion, and a flared end, wherein the flared end has a flared end internal diameter, such that the internal flared end diameter is greater than the internal tubular diameter. The flared portion includes a circumferential skirt for surgical attachment of the graft to a patient's blood vessel.

Abstract: An expandable stent designed to maintain a passageway through a body lumen of a patient is disclosed. The expandable stent is a tubular member that includes a thermoplastic material and woven or wound fibers at least partially in contact with the thermoplastic material, such that the thermoplastic material maintains the tubular member in at least one of an expanded state and a collapsed state.

Abstract: A blood vessel wall-defining device for repairing an abdominal aneurysm includes a percutaneously-insertable structural frame extending between first and second ends having an unexpanded diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the blood vessel to permit the structural frame to be placed into the blood vessel. The structural frame is expansible to form a cylindrical structural skeleton having a slightly larger diameter than the blood vessel to facilitate the securing of the skeleton in position in the blood vessel. The skeleton has a sheath of a tubular fabric. The structural frame has a plurality of spaced coiled stents prior to expansion which are uncoiled under the aegis of a balloon catheter and locked into position by ratchet means.

Abstract: An intracorporeal device, such as an endovascular graft, having a tubular section with circumferential or helical radial support members. The radial support members may be inflatable channels which support the tubular structure of the graft and which are appropriately sized and longitudinally spaced to prevent or reduce kinking of the tubular structure upon bending of the tubular structure.

Abstract: A braided self-expandable stent-graft-membrane made of elongated members forming a generally tubular body. A membrane layer and graft layer are disposed on a endoprosthesis such as a stent. The membrane layer is substantially impermeable to fluids. The outermost layer is biocompatible with the body tissue. The innermost layer is biocompatible with the fluid in the passage. An embodiment includes a graft layer disposed on the inside of a stent and a membrane layer disposed on the outside of the stent. The innermost layer is biocompatible with the fluid in the passage. The stent-graft-membrane is used at a treatment site in a body vessel or organ where it is desirous to exclude a first fluid located outside the endoprosthesis from reaching a second fluid located in the lumen. The membrane may be made of silicone or polycarbonate urethane. The graft may be braided, woven, spun or spray-cast PET, PCU, or PU fibers. The layers may include ePTFE or PTFE.

Abstract: An intraluminal graft includes a tubular graft body extending along a cylindrical axis, a plurality of wires spaced apart from each other and arranged to circumferentially reinforce said tubular graft body along a substantial portion of its length, and a body surface including an inner surface region and an outer surface region. The body surface defines a plurality of apertures extending from an exterior space, and a first portion of a first wire is in the interior space while a second portion of the first wire is in the exterior space.

Abstract: An intraluminal graft includes a tubular graft body extending along a cylindrical axis, a plurality of wires spaced apart from each other and arranged to circumferentially reinforce said tubular graft body along a substantial portion of its length, and a body surface including an inner surface region and an outer surface region. The body surface defines a plurality of apertures extending from an exterior space, and a first portion of a first wire is in the interior space while a second portion of the first wire is in the exterior space.

Abstract: A composite stent/graft tubular prosthesis includes an inner PTFE tubular structure, an outer PTFE tubular structure assembled about the inner PTFE tubular structure, and a circumferentially distensible stent interposed between the inner and outer PTFE tubular structures. The outer tubular body is a non-continuous body formed of polytetrafluoroethylene components, providing axial and circumferential compliance to said prosthesis. The outer tubular body completely overlies the distensible stent.

Abstract: A multi-component stent-graft assembly for repairing a lesion in a blood vessel, preferably a thoracic dissecting aneurysm, the assembly comprising a frame stent that is affixed to the vessel, in the healthy portions of the vessel and extending along the entire lesion of the vessel, and a stent-graft which is affixed against the inside of the frame stent, the stent-graft being located at the desired locations within the affected portion of the vessel no matter the vessel wall is in conditions to retain the stent-graft, because the retention will be provided by the frame stent.

Abstract: A modular elongated stent having an overlap region where two modular components fit together, the overlap region being relatively stiff as compared to another more flexible region of the stent when the stent is in an assembled configuration, the stent further comprising a mimic region that has a stiffness essentially equivalent to the stiffness of the overlap region, to provide kink resistance. A stent having such a mimic region or otherwise stiff region and a flexible region may have a transition region between the stiff and flexible regions, such as a bridging material attached to the stent, also to provide kink resistance. A stent may have relatively stiff regions and relatively flexible regions positioned to align the flexible regions with curved regions of a body lumen when deployed within the body lumen.

Abstract: The invention comprises a bioabsorbable radially self-expanding stent with one or more supplemental apparatus or methods for achieving the desired final resting diameter of the stent by imparting memory into the bioabsorbable material components. The inventive apparatus and methods include increasing the radial expansion force of the stent through the use of a balloon within the stent delivery apparatus, substituting within the stent body one or more particularly rigid threads relative to the other threads, forming one or more of the helical threads of two side-by-side threads with one of the threads comprised of standard material and the other comprised of a more rigid material, attaching one or more bands to the stent body, and weaving circular or oval bands into the threads forming the wall of the stent shaped and positioned to resist axially elongation of the stent.