Abstract: The present invention provides a prosthesis formed from a plurality of tubular layers members deployed in vivo using endovascular techniques and material. The layers define a lumen through a diseased portion of a vascular system. Each layer may be constructed using overlapping tubular members to provide a custom prosthesis. Subsequent prosthesis layers overlapping in the central portion of the lumen strengthen the prosthesis walls and may incorporate biocompatible materials having desirable properties.

Abstract: A vascular access graft that is radially supported and self-sealing upon puncture with, for example, a dialysis needle. The graft has at least one access segment that is formed by an inner layer, an intermediate layer, and outer layer. The intermediate layer has, in longitudinal cross-section, regions of different densities. Radial support members within the intermediate layer prevent collapse of vascular access graft and may be formed of a material that has a lower melting temperature than the other components of the graft. A porous or low-density material is provided between the radial support members to permit blood seepage therein, and the graft is formed by heating to cause the radial support members to melt slightly into the interstitial spaces of the low-density material. The radial support members may be individual turns of a helical coil of FEP, and the low-density material may be compressed PTFE “cotton”. The inner and outer layers may also be formed of PTFE.

Abstract: Shape memory alloy and elastically self-expanding endoluminal stents which are at least partially encapsulated in a substantially monolithic expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (“ePTFE”) covering. An endoluminal stent, which has a reduced diametric dimension for endoluminal delivery and a larger in vivo final diametric diameter, is encapsulated in an ePTFE covering which circumferentially covers both the luminal and abluminal walls along at least a portion of the longitudinal extent of the endoluminal stent. The shape memory endoluminal stent is fabricated from a shape memory alloy which exhibits either shape memory or pseudoelastic properties or from an elastic material having an inherent spring tension.

Abstract: Improved methods of treatment of diseased or occluded vascular grafts in patients having undergone coronary artery bypass or other bypass surgery are disclosed. Deployment of a conduit in the myocardium at a site distal to the site of attachment of the coronary artery bypass graft allows oxygenated blood to flow from a chamber in the heart directly into the coronary artery, bypassing blockages in the coronary artery and the graft originally used to bypass the coronary artery. To ensure proper positioning, the conduit is delivered through the graft to the myocardium. A new lining for the existing vein graft and methods of delivery are also disclosed.

Abstract: An endoluminal graft which is both expandable and supportive is provided either in a longitudinal form or in a bifurcated form. The graft expands between a first diameter and a second, larger diameter. The support component is an expandable stent endoprosthesis. A cover, liner, or a liner, or both a cover and a liner are applied to the endoprosthesis in the form of a stretchable wall material that is porous, elastomeric and biocompatible in order to allow normal cellular invasion upon implantation, without stenosis, when the expandable and supportive graft is at its second diameter. Preferably, the elastomeric wall material is a polycarbonate urethane.

Abstract: The present invention includes a stent. The stent comprises a structural support and a polymeric film or sheet or tube that overlays the structural support. The stent also includes a tacky portion that adheres the polymeric film or sheet or tube to the structural support. The tacky portion comprises sugar or starch or polyvinylalcohol or degradation products of these materials.

Abstract: A porous tube suitable for use as a vascular graft prosthesis and a method of making it is disclosed. It has a structure of porous polytetrafluoroethylene having a fibrous structure of nodes and fibers connecting the nodes together and an integrated intrawall circumferential support adjacent to areas of variable porosity. This invention provides a polytetrafluoroethylene polymer in a porous form useful as artificial internal organs for, for example vascular bypass, vascular access, and endovascular prosthesis. PTFE walls are found with radial zones of differing porosity are described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a branching endoluminal prosthesis for use in branching body lumen systems which includes a trunk lumen and first and second branch lumens. The prostheses comprises a radially expandable tubular trunk portion having a prosthetic trunk lumen, and radially expandable tubular first and second branch portions with first and second prosthetic branch lumens, respectively. A radially expandable tubular Y-connector portion provides fluid communication between the prosthetic trunk lumen and the first and second prosthetic branch lumens.

Abstract: A composite stent-graft tubular prosthesis includes a non-continuous tubular body formed of polytetrafluoroethylene components, providing axial and circumferential compliance to said prosthesis and a circumferentially distensible stent.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a medicated prosthesis such as a stent. The method includes forming a stent out of porous metal and loading a therapeutic agent into the pores of the metal. In one embodiment the stent is formed from a sintered metal wire, sheet, or tube and can include adding a coating to the stent. When the stent is implanted into the vasculature of a patient, the therapeutic agent in the stent dissipates into the tissue of the vasculature proximate the stent.

Abstract: A radially expandable endoluminal covered stent assembly and a method and apparatus for making the same. A longitudinally and radially expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tubular graft is circumferentially engaged about one or more radially expandable stents and is retained thereon by a radial recoil force exerted by the tubular graft against the stent. The graft is retained on the stent or stents prior to and during endoluminal delivery and radial expansion without the use of adhesives, sutures or other attachment means. Further, upon radial expansion the stent or stents do not require retaining means for preventing contraction, despite the inherent recoil imparted by the tubular graft. The covered stent is assembled by joining a dilation mandrel and a stent mandrel, placing the graft on the dilation mandrel where it is radially expanded, and passing the expanded graft over the stent that is positioned on the stent mandrel.

Abstract: An expandable intraluminal graft for use within a body cavity having a tubular shaped member with two ends and a wall surface disposed between the ends. The tubular shaped member has a first diameter to permit intraluminal delivery of the member into a body cavity, and a second expanded diameter. Coated on the surface of the tubular shaped member is a substance that inhibits and/or reduces restenosis, vascular narrowing and/or in-stent restenosis.

Abstract: A drug storing and metering stent for placement within a vessel comprising an outer member having a lumen, an inner member positioned within the lumen of the outer member. A space separates the inner member from the outer member and within which space a therapeutic drug is disposed. The stent includes at least one protrusion provided on at least one of the inner and outer members and extending across the space so as to cause a friction fit between the inner and outer members. The stent also includes a pattern of perforation across both the inner and outer members to permit the stent to expand radially. The invention also relates to a method of making such a stent, and a method of releasing a therapeutic drug within a vessel.

Abstract: An easy-to-produce and mechanically strong tube of an implantable submucosal tissue has been developed which is manufactured in any desired length, wall thickness, or diameter. The construct produced by the method of the invention may be used as grafts for arteries, veins, ureters, urethras, shunts, or in any application where a compliant, tissue-compatible tube is needed. The manufacture of the submucosal tissue prosthesis generally involves wrapping a first sheet of submucosal tissue (60) and a second sheet of submucosal tissue (70) around a mandrel (50), wherein the first end (74) and the second opposite end (76) of the second sheet of submucosal tissue (70) are sutured together with sutures (78). The submucosal tissue is compressed and dried on the mandrel (50) before removing the construct by pulling on a first end (54) and a second end (56) of a water permeable tape to unwind the tape and thus release the construct for eventual use.

Abstract: Solid free-form fabrication (SFF) methods are used to manufacture devices for allowing tissue regeneration and for seeding and implanting cells to form organ and structural components, which can additionally provide controlled release of bioactive agents, wherein the matrix is characterized by a network of lumens functionally equivalent to the naturally occurring vasculature of the tissue formed by the implanted cells, and which can be lined with endothelial cells and coupled to blood vessels at the time of implantation to form a vascular network throughout the matrix. The SFF methods can be adapted for use with a variety of polymeric, inorganic and composite materials to create structures with defined compositions, strengths, and densities, using computer aided design (CAD). Examples of SFF methods include stereo-lithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), ballistic particle manufacturing (BPM), fusion deposition modeling (FDM), and three dimensional printing (3DP).

Abstract: The invention relates to coated stents and the method of making them. A stent that is substantially radiolucent is at least partially coated with a radiopaque layer that makes the stent visible under X-ray or fluoroscopy. A protective layer is coated on the stent and the radiopaque layer to protect both from scratches, flaking, and galvanic corrosion, and to improve both blood and bio-compatability.