Disclosed are a stent delivery and release device and a stent delivery and release system. The stent delivery and release device (20) includes a stent proximal end release assembly provided at a proximal end of the stent delivery and release device, a guide head provided at a distal end of the stent delivery and release device, and a control member, wherein an external stent is configured to be loaded between the guide head and the stent proximal end release assembly; a proximal end of the control member is connected to the stent proximal end release assembly, and at least part of a distal end of the control member is wound around the stent and is detachably connected to the guide head; and the stent proximal end release assembly folds or releases the stent by controlling the axial length of the control member.

Disclosed are a stent delivery and release device and a stent delivery and release system. The stent delivery and release device (20) includes a stent proximal end release assembly provided at a proximal end of the stent delivery and release device, a guide head provided at a distal end of the stent delivery and release device, and a control member, wherein an external stent is configured to be loaded between the guide head and the stent proximal end release assembly; a proximal end of the control member is connected to the stent proximal end release assembly, and at least part of a distal end of the control member is wound around the stent and is detachably connected to the guide head; and the stent proximal end release assembly folds or releases the stent by controlling the axial length of the control member.

A bioartificial device, such as a bioartificial pancreas, for implantation in a patient's vascular system. The bioartificial pancreas includes a scaffold adapted to engage an interior wall of a blood vessel, a cellular complex support by the scaffold and extending longitudinally within the interior cavity of the scaffold so as to be exposed to the blood flow when the scaffold is engaged with the blood vessel, the cellular complex support comprising one or more pockets bordered by thin film; and cellular complex comprising pancreatic islets disposed in the one or more pockets, the thin film being adapted to permit oxygen and glucose to diffuse from flowing blood into the one or more pockets at a rate sufficient to support the viability of the islets. The invention also includes methods of making and using a bioartificial pancreas.

In one embodiment according to the present invention, a stent is described having a generally cylindrical body formed from a single woven nitinol wire. The distal and proximal ends of the stent include a plurality of loops, some of which include marker members used for visualizing the position of the stent. In another embodiment, the previously described stent includes an inner flow diverting layer.

In one embodiment according to the present invention, a stent is described having a generally cylindrical body formed from a single woven nitinol wire. The distal and proximal ends of the stent include a plurality of loops, some of which include marker members used for visualizing the position of the stent. In another embodiment, the previously described stent includes an inner flow diverting layer.

Methods and devices for increasing flow in the left atrial appendage (LAA) include a conduit directing blood flow from a pulmonary artery into the LAA and/or a conduit drawing blood from the LAA by a Bernoulli effect. In one embodiment, a method comprises implanting a conduit in a pulmonary vein, expanding an inlet portion such that the conduit becomes anchored within the vein and directs blood through an outlet portion of the conduit into or toward the left atrial appendage.

Methods and devices for increasing flow in the left atrial appendage (LAA) include a conduit directing blood flow from a pulmonary artery into the LAA and/or a conduit drawing blood from the LAA by a Bernoulli effect. In one embodiment, a method comprises implanting a conduit in a pulmonary vein, expanding an inlet portion such that the conduit becomes anchored within the vein and directs blood through an outlet portion of the conduit into or toward the left atrial appendage.

A method of using a self-adjusting stent assembly includes estimating body lumen diameter(s) associated with a portion of a body lumen in which a stent assembly will be placed; determining, based on the estimated diameter(s), target expanded stent diameter(s) of the stent assembly which is to be placed in the portion of the body lumen; selecting the stent assembly for stenting the portion of the body lumen, wherein the stent assembly is configured to: expand from an initial to expanded diameters within a range of expanded diameters; wherein the range of expanded diameters is from about 9 mm to about 5.5 mm; and wherein the target expanded stent diameter(s) is/are within the range of expanded diameters; and apply a chronic radial force to a wall that forms the portion of the lumen, wherein the radial force is less than about 0.33 N/mm; and implanting the stent assembly in the portion of the body lumen.

A method of using a self-adjusting stent assembly includes estimating body lumen diameter(s) associated with a portion of a body lumen in which a stent assembly will be placed; determining, based on the estimated diameter(s), target expanded stent diameter(s) of the stent assembly which is to be placed in the portion of the body lumen; selecting the stent assembly for stenting the portion of the body lumen, wherein the stent assembly is configured to: expand from an initial to expanded diameters within a range of expanded diameters; wherein the range of expanded diameters is from about 9 mm to about 5.5 mm; and wherein the target expanded stent diameter(s) is/are within the range of expanded diameters; and apply a chronic radial force to a wall that forms the portion of the lumen, wherein the radial force is less than about 0.33 N/mm; and implanting the stent assembly in the portion of the body lumen.

A treatment device (500) is provided including a shaft (507), an expandable member, a first elongated control member (508) and a second elongated control member (502). The expandable member can further include at least a first controllable portion (504) and a second controllable portion (503), where the expandable member, including the first controllable portion and the second controllable portion, is configured to transition between at least a partially retracted configuration and an expanded configuration under control of at least the first elongated control member (508). Further still, the first controllable portion can be configured to transition between at least a partially retracted configuration and an expanded configuration, while the second controllable portion (503) is configured to remain substantially unchanged, under control of at least the second elongated control member (502).