The present invention relates to devices, systems and methods for implanting a radially expandable endoluminal stent. In certain aspects, the devices, systems, and methods of the present invention include a radially expandable endoluminal stent mounted on a delivery tube and having a distal end and a proximal end. A first retention element is also mounted on the delivery tube at or adjacent to the distal end of the expandable endoluminal device, and a second retention element is mounted on the delivery tube at or adjacent to the proximal end of the expandable endoluminal device. Expansion of the first and/or second retention elements reduces or prevents migration of the stent during and immediately after stent deployment.

A stent-delivery assembly that includes a catheter; an expandable stent that is movable, relative to the catheter, from a first position to a second position; and a guidewire assembly extending through a longitudinal passage of the catheter and a longitudinal passage of the stent, the guidewire assembly being movable, relative to the catheter, from a third position to a fourth position. While the expandable stent is in the first position and while the guidewire assembly is in the third position, the stent-delivery assembly has an a-traumatic shape. While the expandable stent is in the second position and while the guidewire assembly is in the fourth position, the guidewire assembly is capable of passing through the stent to allow for retrieval of the stent-delivery assembly. Methods of use and manufacture are also included.

A stent-delivery assembly that includes a catheter; an expandable stent that is movable, relative to the catheter, from a first position to a second position; and a guidewire assembly extending through a longitudinal passage of the catheter and a longitudinal passage of the stent, the guidewire assembly being movable, relative to the catheter, from a third position to a fourth position. While the expandable stent is in the first position and while the guidewire assembly is in the third position, the stent-delivery assembly has an a-traumatic shape. While the expandable stent is in the second position and while the guidewire assembly is in the fourth position, the guidewire assembly is capable of passing through the stent to allow for retrieval of the stent-delivery assembly. Methods of use and manufacture are also included.

Provided is a stent which is not easily displaced from a dwell site in a biological lumen and which has an excellent ability to follow a biological lumen. This stent (bile duct stent 100) is to dwell inside a biological lumen (bile duct B) and is provided with a stent main body section (110) having a cylindrical shape. The stent main body section is configured to be capable of expanding and contracting in the radial direction that is approximately orthogonal to an axial direction, has a relatively large expanding force in one portion (center portion) corresponding to the predetermined position at the indwelling site in the biological lumen, and a relatively small expanding force at other portions (both end portions) which have different positions in the axial direction from that of the one portion.

Provided is a stent which is not easily displaced from a dwell site in a biological lumen and which has an excellent ability to follow a biological lumen. This stent (bile duct stent 100) is to dwell inside a biological lumen (bile duct B) and is provided with a stent main body section (110) having a cylindrical shape. The stent main body section is configured to be capable of expanding and contracting in the radial direction that is approximately orthogonal to an axial direction, has a relatively large expanding force in one portion (center portion) corresponding to the predetermined position at the indwelling site in the biological lumen, and a relatively small expanding force at other portions (both end portions) which have different positions in the axial direction from that of the one portion.

A stent graft (40) for treating Type-A dissections in the ascending aorta (22) is provided with a plurality of diameter reducing suture loops (56-60) operable to constrain the stent graft during deployment thereof in a patient's aorta. The diameter reducing loops (56-60) allow the stent graft (40) to be partially deployed, in such a manner that its location can be precisely adjusted in the patient's lumen. In this manner, the stent graft can be placed just by the coronary arteries (26, 28) with confidence that these will not be blocked. The stent graft (40) is also provided with proximal and distal bare stents (44,52) for anchoring purposes.

A medical assembly is disclosed comprises a stent and a catheter having a balloon, wherein the coefficient of friction and/or the adhesion at the stent/balloon interface are reduced.

A medical assembly is disclosed comprises a stent and a catheter having a balloon, wherein the coefficient of friction and/or the adhesion at the stent/balloon interface are reduced.

A system for treating a bifurcation includes a first radially expandable stent and a second radially expandable stent. The first stent has a side hole and a plurality of lateral elements extending from the side hole. The second stent has a plurality of axial elements extending away from the proximal end of the second stent. The axial elements of the second stent interdigitate with the lateral elements of the first stent when both stents have been expanded.

A system for treating a bifurcation includes a first radially expandable stent and a second radially expandable stent. The first stent has a side hole and a plurality of lateral elements extending from the side hole. The second stent has a plurality of axial elements extending away from the proximal end of the second stent. The axial elements of the second stent interdigitate with the lateral elements of the first stent when both stents have been expanded.