Abstract: A stent having a tubular framework structure consisting of interconnected stent struts, fabricated as a whole from a bioresorbable material and being convertible from a compressed first geometric shape into a radially dilated, dimensionally stable, tubular second geometric shape. Characterized by all of the stent struts of the tubular framework structure has made of a uniform bioresorbable material, the tubular framework structure comprises at least one surface region, which is congruent in one piece and is situated on a lateral cylindrical surface the surface, region comprising stent struts surrounded by stent struts of the framework structure that are adjacent to the surface region, such that the stent struts within the surface region have a smaller amount by weight of bioresorbable material per one predefinable discrete strut length, than the stent struts of the framework structure adjacent to the surface regions.

Abstract: A tubular woven implantable graft having a tapered section is provided. The graft comprises a first diameter and a second diameter and has a generally constant number of warp yarns per inch adjacent both the first diameter and the second diameter. A method for producing an implantable woven graft is also provided. The method includes weaving a first section having a first diameter and a tapered diameter tapering from the first diameter to a second diameter. During weaving of the tapered section a number of warp yarns are dropped from the weave and compressive forces are applied to the fabric to narrow the width of the fabric.

Abstract: A device made up of a textile tubular sheath, which can be implanted in the human body, suitable for containing a filling material and the ends of which are suitable for covering the ends of two portions of a single resected rib. The sheath contains a braid, in which the yarns allow relative movement in relation to one another in order locally to modify the diameter and the shape of the braid, such that the braid not only covers but also encloses the end of one portion of the rib. The sheath is secured to a tip which, allowing the injection of a biocompatible material for filling the sheath, the packing of the braid and the connection by adhesion of the sheath and the braid with the ends of the portions of the rib, is in turn sectional.

Abstract: A flat sheet of woven material includes warp yarns and weft yarns interlaced at substantially right angles to each other. A graft material is cut from the flat sheet of woven material such that the graft material includes a graft material longitudinal axis and the warp yarns are disposed at an angle relative to the graft material longitudinal axis. The warp yarns and weft yarns are not parallel to or perpendicular to the graft material longitudinal axis. The graft material is formed into the shape of an endoluminal prosthesis, such as by rolling opposing edges towards each other and securing the opposing edges to each other. The endoluminal prosthesis thus includes warp yarns disposed at an angle relative to the prosthesis longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An implant for blood vessels, in particular to influence the flow of blood in the area of arteriovenous malformations. The implant has a wall comprising individual filaments combined so as to form a circular braiding, the circular braiding being positioned in elongated form and with a reduced diameter in an insertion catheter and expanding at the placement site thus adapting to the vessel diameter and increasing its braiding density.

Abstract: The present invention relates to covered endoprosthetic devices. Covered endoprosthetic devices comprise an endoprosthesis and a sheath. The sheath comprises a central portion and outer portions, wherein the central portion preferentially restricts or causes a restriction of blood flow. Blood flow can be reduced by the central portion of the sheath by varying the permeability of the sheath or by having projections on the sheath that slow blood flow. Permeability may be provided by perforations or holes in the material of the sheath or by varying the polymer structure that makes up the sheath itself. The outer portions of the sheath do not substantially reduce blood flow. Methods of using sheath-covered endoprosthetic devices of the invention to treat aneurysms, especially aneurysms in proximity to small perforator vessels or arteries, are also encompassed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a removable porous stent to be placed in tubular structures that is unsuitable for permanent stents. The walls of the stent are freely permeable to allow the blood flow. The stent can be used as a carrier of chemotherapy or radiation to be placed in tubular structures for local treatment of cancer. The stent is formed by at least one continuous thread arranged in interconnected loops and having a reversible bind-off at one end of the tubular body, mechanically securing each loop at said end of the tubular body apart from a single releasable loop. This loop is preferably extended beyond the tubular structure of the stent enabling an initiation of the removal at a distance from the treatment site.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a woven fabric for use in an implantable medical device. The woven fabric has shape memory element strands woven with textile strands. At least one of the shape memory element strands has at least one float of at least five textile strands between binding points.

Abstract: A cardiovascular conduit system may comprise a connector. The connector may comprise a proximal end adapted to attach to a cardiovascular organ. The proximal end may comprise a first plurality of expandable members, and each member in the first plurality of expandable members may be deployable from a delivery position to a deployed position. The first plurality of expandable members may be dimensioned to deploy inside the cardiovascular organ to secure the connector to the cardiovascular organ. The connector may comprise a distal end adapted to attach to a conduit and an opening extending through the connector. Connectors for cardiovascular conduit systems may also include expandable stents. Connectors may be rotatably secured to a conduit, and the conduit may be reinforced. Methods for forming and using cardiovascular conduit systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stent having a hollow tubular structure with open ends which tubular structure is formed by a plurality of filaments woven alternately, wherein each of the filaments has at least one elongated closed-loop wire and both ends of each of the filaments are positioned at the open ends, and a method for fabricating the stent.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for stenting are provided comprising a stent attached to a porous biocompatible material that is permeable to endothelial cell ingrowth, but impermeable to release of emboli of predetermined size. Preferred stent designs are provided, as well as preferred manufacturing techniques. Apparatus and methods are also provided for use at a vessel branching. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may comprise a coating configured for localized delivery of therapeutic agents. Embodiments of the present invention are expected to provide enhanced embolic protection, improved force distribution, and improved recrossability, while reducing a risk of restenosis and thrombus formation.

Abstract: Provided is a stent to be inserted into an in vivo organ having a tubular structure that allows a degree of freedom in design and excellent mechanical flexibility. A cylinder-shaped stent is inserted to be placed and used in the inner cavity of an in vivo tubular organ, wherein: the wall of the stent has a planar mesh pattern filled with a plurality of closed cells being adjacent to each other and having congruent shapes; the closed cells have point-symmetric parallel hexagonal shapes; all closed cells circumferentially adjacent to each other are congruent and similar in shape; two closed cells adjacent to each other sharing different sides form a substantially V-shaped member; and the vertex of each folded part in the substantially V-shaped member points to the circumferential direction.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for securing the intersection formed by two or more crossed strands. The intersection defines at least two sections. The practice of the disclosed methods includes bending a securing material, such as a suture or other suitably biocompatible material, through at least two of the sections formed by the intersection, and joining them to secure the intersection. Also disclosed are devices formed by using securing material to secure the intersection of crossed strands of a medical device, such as a woven stent. The secured intersection or intersections of the resultant device enhance the structural integrity of the device, and may serve to eliminate the possible unwinding or release of unsecured, or free, strand ends. Radiopaque materials, in addition to polymers, may be used as securing material.

Abstract: Polymeric composite stents reinforced with fibers for implantation into a bodily lumen are disclosed.

Abstract: A woven aortic sinus prosthesis has a first substantially cylindrical section position away from a patient's heart, which optionally passes into an aortic arch of the patient, a second section having a greater diameter than the first section and forming a bulb, which second section is connected to the first section, and optionally a third substantially cylindrical section close to the heart, which is connected to the bulb section, wherein the prosthesis is continuously woven and has a constant number of warp yarns over its axial length, whereby there is a greater distance between the warp yarns in a region of the bulb section than in the first and third cylindrical sections.

Abstract: A woven textile vascular prosthesis including a tubular trunk and at least one fork, each fork having an apex located between outgoing tubular branches with a small diameter, wherein at least a portion of a wall of the prosthesis in a zone of the apex is woven more densely than in other zones having an original weave construction.

Abstract: A tubular woven implantable graft having a tapered section is provided. The graft comprises a first diameter and a second diameter and has a generally constant number of warp yarns per inch adjacent both the first diameter and the second diameter. A method for producing an implantable woven graft is also provided. The method includes weaving a first section having a first diameter and a tapered diameter tapering from the first diameter to a second diameter. During weaving of the tapered section a number of warp yarns are dropped from the weave and compressive forces are applied to the fabric to narrow the width of the fabric.

Abstract: Conformable end sealing stent for treating aortic aneurysms with acute angulation having an end portion with a circumference and configured to exert a radial force against an inner wall of the aorta, said end portion comprised of one or more filaments formed into at least three intertwined curved loops, each loop having a first and second end and a curved section which curved section is shaped and sized to extend at least halfway around the circumference.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an implantable woven graft for bridging a defect in a main vessel near one or more branch vessels. The graft includes a region of reduced yarn density. Reduced yarn density regions are alignable with at least one of the one or more branch vessels, and are suitable for in situ fenestration, for example by perforation. The disclosed examples are particularly suited for bridging abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Abstract: A surgical implant is made from biocompatible fiber material as a woven textile fabric, in particular in the form of a vascular prosthesis, the woven fabric being so configured that its permeability to blood is so low that the blood impregnates the textile fabric upon implantation and seals it off by coagulating, but does not flow through it.

Abstract: A woven, self-expanding stent device has one or more strands and is configured for insertion into an anatomical structure. The device includes a coupling structure secured to two different strand end portions that are substantially aligned with each other. The two different strand end portions include nickel and titanium. The coupling structure is not a strand of the device.

Abstract: A stent including a stent wire comprising a plurality of filaments twisted into a bundle having a helix, the stent wire bent into a pattern having a plurality of substantially straight wire sections separated by a plurality of bends. The pattern of the stent wire is spirally wound about a central axis in the same direction as the helix formed by the plurality of filaments. Each of the filaments in a bend have a cylindrical cross-section where at least one of the plurality of filaments is displaced and spaced from an immediately adjacent filament in the bend.

Abstract: A prosthetic aortic conduit for replacing a root portion of an aorta is provided. The conduit comprises a continuous tubular conduit along a substantially common axis. A portion of the tubular conduit does not substantially deform in a longitudinal direction and has resilient means which allow said another portion of the conduit to be expandable in a lateral direction. The portion that is able to deform laterally mimics the function of the sinuses of Valsalva. The method of manufacturing such a conduit comprises the steps of having a continuous weave of rows of yarn or the equivalent with a change in tightness of the rows so that in some portion of the conduit it is expandable in the lateral direction and in some portion of the conduit it is expandable in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A vascular occluding device for modifying blood flow in a vessel, while maintaining blood flow to the surrounding tissue. The occluding device includes a flexible, easily compressible and bendable occluding device that is particularly suited for treating aneurysms in the brain. The neurovascular occluding device can be deployed using a micro-catheter. The occluding device can be formed by braiding wires in a helical fashion and can have varying lattice densities along the length of the occluding device. The occluding device could also have different lattice densities for surfaces on the same radial plane.

Abstract: The self-expanding plastic stent is a resilient plastic stent with such expansional strength that a small diameter delivery system may be used to implant the stent, thereby minimizing possible complications for the patient. The stent is made from a braided monofilament, which may be polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyetherketoneether-ketoneketone (PEKEKK), or any blends and alloys of these particular resins. The plastic stent may or may not be covered with polymer film. When used, the polymer film includes materials based on polyurethanes, silicones, or materials that biodegrade or erode in the body. Specifically the biodegradable materials might include poly-L-lactide, poly-D-lactide, polyglycolide, ?-caprolactone (epsilon-caprolactone), starch, and collagen or its polymer blends, alloys or copolymers. This material is heat-treated. The monofilament preferably has a diameter of 0.2-0.7 mm.

Abstract: A self-expandable shape memory alloy stent includes first and second wires made of super-elastic shape memory alloy. The first wire extends downwardly from the top to the bottom of the stent without interlocking with itself but extends upwardly from the bottom to the top of the stent while interlocking with itself to leave a multiplicity of rhombic spaces. Similarly, the second wire extends downwardly from the top to the bottom of the stent without interlocking with itself but extends upwardly from the bottom to the top of the stent while interlocking with itself, in such a manner as to divide the rhombic spaces formed by the first wire into four small rhombic spaces. The first wire and the second wire are woven with each other in such a manner that the second wire passes alternately below and above the first wire at intersection points.

Abstract: A method of making a non-porous tubular graft is disclosed. The method includes the step of securing a plurality of fastening elements extending through an outer layer of knitted, woven, or braided material along a length of the outer layer, wherein the fastening elements extend outwardly from the outer layer. The method further includes the steps of placing an inner layer of non-porous material within the outer layer such that an underside of each fastening element is positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer and laminating the outer layer to the inner layer to form the non-porous tubular graft.

Abstract: The present invention provides an implantable prosthesis and more specifically, an implantable tubular textile prosthesis comprising a biocompatible fabric having inner and outer surfaces and first and second ends; the fabric having a textile construction comprising cold drawn PTFE yarns having a substantially uniform denier and high molecular orientation. Use of cold drawn PTFE yarns result in implantable prostheses that have excellent abrasion resistance, strength and lubricity properties. Useful textile constructions include weaves, knits, braids, filament windings, spun windings and combinations thereof. The prostheses of the present invention are lubricious and have characteristics that closely resemble the properties of a natural body lumen.

Abstract: Luminal endoprosthesis formed of a multi-layer braided framework. The framework is devoid of any cover layer, and formed of a plurality of stabilized layers of biocompatible metal wires which are interlaced, forming a lattice, a plurality of wires of a given layer being integrated in the lattice of the adjacent layers. The mechanical characteristics of an outermost layer is so that when in place, the layer applies against a vessel wall, the other layers extending substantially along cylindrical surfaces distinct from the outermost layer so as to form a multi-layer mat which affects the haemodynamic of a flow of blood passing along or through this mat and preventing a growing of plaque.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a woven fabric for use in an implantable medical device. The woven fabric comprises shape memory element strands woven with textile strands. At least one of the shape memory element strands has at least one float of at least five textile strands between binding points.

Abstract: A system and method for treating and repairing complex anatomy characterized by a plurality of vessel portions oriented at various angles relative to each other. The system including a graft device that is capable of being assembled in situ and has associated therewith a method that avoids the cessation of blood flow to vital organs. A delivery catheter system and various graft supporting, mating and anchoring structures are additionally included.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable vascular prosthesis configured for use in a wide range of applications, such as treating aneurysms, maintaining patency in a vessel, and allowing for the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents to a vessel wall. The prosthesis comprises one or more helical sections coupled to one or more anchoring sections having a generally zig-zag or cell-like configuration. The prosthesis is configured to conform to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and further is configured to be precisely deployed in a vessel without shifting or foreshortening during deployment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an implantable vascular prosthesis configured for use in a wide range of applications, such as treating aneurysms, maintaining patency in a vessel, and allowing for the controlled delivery of therapeutic agents to a vessel wall. The prosthesis comprises a helical proximal section coupled to a distal anchoring section having a generally zig-zag configuration. The prosthesis is configured to comply to a vessel wall without substantially remodeling the vessel, and further is configured to be precisely deployed in a vessel without shifting during deployment. The prosthesis also has a substantially small delivery profile compared to other known stents, while having an increased surface area to enhance delivery of therapeutic agents.

Abstract: An implantable, varied-diameter graft is seamlessly flat-woven to provide a seamless, varied-diameter graft. The graft includes a flat-woven tubular portion having opposed first and second tubular ends with a contiguous bulbous woven section therebetween. The bulbous woven section has opposed first and second open ends with the first bulbous end being contiguous with the first tubular end. The second bulbous end is contiguous with the second tubular end. The first tubular end has a first number of warp yarns interlaced with a plurality of fill yarns in a woven pattern to define a first flat-woven tubular diameter. The second end has a second number of warp yarns interlaced with a plurality of fill yarns in a woven pattern to define a second flat-woven tubular diameter. The bulbous section has a third number of warp yarns interlaced with a plurality of fill yarns in a woven pattern to define a third flat-woven tubular diameter.

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: Sheathing for reinforcing natural veins for use as surgical implants in the form of textile netting that is configured by forming a seamless, tubular, essentially pile-less, knit fabric and has loops having large, open apertures having essentially polygonal shapes is made available.

Abstract: A medical device for treating a target site within a lumen having an arcuate portion is provided. The medical device includes a first tubular portion comprising a proximal and distal end, and a second tubular portion comprising a proximal and distal end. A linking portion couples the first and second tubular portions, and an opening defined between the distal end of the first tubular portion and the proximal end of the second tubular portion. At least part of the linking portion is configured to conform to at least a portion of the arcuate portion of the lumen. Associated methods for using a medical device are also provided.

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: An anastomotic ring device for forming a hollow rivet (ring) attachment between tissue lumens facilitates laparoscopic or endoscopic implantation by including features that facilitate actuation from a stressed, generally cylindrical shape. Economical manufacturer is achieved by weaving open ended strands into a generally cylindrical stent shape that is imparted with a Shape Memory Effect (SME) to actuate to a hollow rivet (ring) shape. Alternatively or in addition to SME inherent in the woven strands, an actuating force may be received from a helical spring element incorporated into the ring. Self-actuating ring devices are enhanced by forming woven strands into petals that diverge from opposing petals such that the strands encounter less friction when actuating. Each of these features alone or in combination enhance clinical use of anastomotic ring devices, such as a bariatric gastric bypass procedure.

Abstract: A branch vessel suture stent system and method including a branch vessel suture stent having a stent body having a first end, a second end, and a central axis, the first end having a first periphery; and shape memory hooks disposed about the first periphery, each of the shape memory hooks being attached to the first periphery at an attachment point, the shape memory hooks being elongated in a stressed state and looped in a parent state, each of the shape memory hooks defining a loop plane in the parent state. The shape memory hooks are substantially parallel to the central axis in the stressed state, and the first periphery at the attachment point for each of the shape memory hooks is substantially orthogonal to the loop plane for each of the shape memory hooks in the parent state. The delivery system allows the main body of the branch device to expand while maintaining the hooks in an undeployed configuration using individual hypotubes.

Abstract: A modular luminal endoprosthesis consisting of a framework, generally called a stent, and more particularly an endoprosthesis for blood vessels. The framework (6) of this stent comprises a plurality of interconnected layers (8, 10, 12), each of these layers (8, 10, 12) being formed by two plies of metal wires (14), which are respectively dextrogyratory and laevogyratory, and which are interlaced and form a lattice, a plurality of wires (14) of a given layer (8, 10, 12) being integrated in the lattice of at least one of the adjacent layers (8, 10, 12).

Abstract: A surgical implant is made from biocompatible fiber material as a woven textile fabric, in particular in the form of a vascular prosthesis, the woven fabric being so configured that its permeability to blood is so low that the blood impregnates the textile fabric upon implantation and seals it off by coagulating, but does not flow through it.

Abstract: An implantable graft device having treated yarn is disclosed. The device comprises a graft body forming a lumen defining a longitudinal axis and comprising proximal and distal ends. The graft body comprises a woven fabric having warp yarns aligned in a first direction and a weft yarns aligned in a second direction. At least one of the weft yarns and the warp yarns has an agent applied thereto defining treated yarns of the graft body.

Abstract: An implantable device having a composite weave graft is disclosed. The device comprises a graft body forming a lumen defining a longitudinal axis and comprising proximal and distal ends. The graft body comprises a composite of low dernier yarns and polymeric yarns configured for low profile delivery and radial elongation relative to the longitudinal axis during use. The graft body has a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion. The first portion comprises at least one expandable stent radially attached thereto for support and the second portion having corrugations for enhanced kink resistance.

Abstract: Continuously flat-woven implantable tubular prostheses have seamless woven sections which gradually change the number of warp yarns to smoothly transition, i.e., taper, from one diameter to another. Multi-diameter endoluminal grafts having a variety of shapes and configurations are made using a seamless weaving process without unacceptable voids or gaps in the tubular wall.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to an implantable woven graft for bridging a defect in a main vessel near one or more branch vessels. The graft includes a region of reduced yarn density. Reduced yarn density regions are alignable with at least one of the one or more branch vessels, and are suitable for in situ fenestration, for example by perforation. The disclosed examples are particularly suited for bridging abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical stent, and in particular to a cardia stent for treatment on the narrow carida of the oesophagus. The cardia stent according to the present invention is woven by wires of shape memory NiTi alloy. There is a drum-shaped locating port at its upper end, and a trumpet-shaped locating port at its lower end. The upper drum-shaped locating port is connected with the lower trumpet-shaped locating port by a supporting net tube. The remaining portions other than the drum-shaped locating port are coated with a membrane of medical flexible material that can be implanted into a human body. The cardia stent comprises at least an anti-reflux valve. The anti-reflux valve is of a triple-petal structure protruding downward that is made from a membrane of medical flexible material that can be implanted into a human body.

Abstract: A surgical implant is made from biocompatible fiber material as a woven textile fabric, in particular in the form of a vascular prosthesis, the woven fabric being so configured that its permeability to blood is so low that the blood impregnates the textile fabric upon implantation and seals it off by coagulating, but does not flow through it.

Abstract: Self-expandable, woven intravascular devices for use as stents (both straight and tapered), filters (both temporary and permanent) and occluders for insertion and implantation into a variety of anatomical structures. The devices may be formed from shape memory metals such as nitinol. The devices may also be formed from biodegradable materials. Delivery systems for the devices include two hollow tubes that operate coaxially. A device is secured to the tubes prior to the implantation and delivery of the device by securing one end of the device to the outside of the inner tube and by securing the other end of the device to the outside of the outer tube. The stents may be partially or completely covered by graft materials, but may also be bare. The devices may be formed from a single wire. The devices may be formed by either hand or machine weaving.