Various stent assemblies for placement in a body lumen that includes a support element comprising metal struts constructed to be positioned in a body lumen, and a knitted layer or cover disposed over an interior, an exterior, or both, of the support element and along an entire length thereof, wherein the knitted layer or cover comprises a single polymer fiber or metal wire having a diameter of at least 40 nanometers to 30 microns, wherein the support element and knitted cover together have apertures sized 100 microns to 300 microns in diameter, or alternatively from 200 microns to 1500 microns, to block larger debris when the stent assembly is properly placed in a body lumen. Methods of stenting a body lumen by applying the stent assembly to a patient in need of treatment and expanding the stent assembly in situ are disclosed.

Various stent assemblies for placement in a body lumen that includes a support element comprising metal struts constructed to be positioned in a body lumen, and a knitted layer or cover disposed over an interior, an exterior, or both, of the support element and along an entire length thereof, wherein the knitted layer or cover comprises a single polymer fiber or metal wire having a diameter of at least 40 nanometers to 30 microns, wherein the support element and knitted cover together have apertures sized 100 microns to 300 microns in diameter, or alternatively from 200 microns to 1500 microns, to block larger debris when the stent assembly is properly placed in a body lumen. Methods of stenting a body lumen by applying the stent assembly to a patient in need of treatment and expanding the stent assembly in situ are disclosed.

The invention relates to a release system for a self-expanding endoprosthesis, comprising a catheter, an endoprosthesis (2) having a first volume-reduced shape under an external constraint and, after elimination of the external constraint, assuming a second expanded shape at the placement site and being movably arranged in the catheter, a means for holding (6, 7) the endoprosthesis (2) in the catheter as well as means suitable to exert the external force on the endoprosthesis (2), wherein the means for exerting the external force on the endoprosthesis (2) is a tubular film (3) whose distal end encloses the endoprosthesis (2) in its reduced-volume form and whose proximal end extends to the proximal end of the catheter in such a way that it can be withdrawn from the endoprosthesis (2) thus eliminating the external constraint.

The invention relates to a release system for a self-expanding endoprosthesis, comprising a catheter, an endoprosthesis (2) having a first volume-reduced shape under an external constraint and, after elimination of the external constraint, assuming a second expanded shape at the placement site and being movably arranged in the catheter, a means for holding (6, 7) the endoprosthesis (2) in the catheter as well as means suitable to exert the external force on the endoprosthesis (2), wherein the means for exerting the external force on the endoprosthesis (2) is a tubular film (3) whose distal end encloses the endoprosthesis (2) in its reduced-volume form and whose proximal end extends to the proximal end of the catheter in such a way that it can be withdrawn from the endoprosthesis (2) thus eliminating the external constraint.

Stents generally can include multiple longitudinal elements each extending over a majority of the length of the stent and each having alternating flexible and rigid segments. The stents can include nodes positioned between the flexible and rigid segments on the longitudinal elements and interconnecting members extending circumferentially to connect adjacent longitudinal elements at the nodes. The longitudinal elements can have a wave pattern and the interconnecting members can have a branch structure connecting peaks from one longitudinal element to troughs of an adjacent longitudinal element. The resulting stent structure can have lateral and longitudinal flexibility needed to navigate and conform to intracranial arteries with the benefits of recapturability and structural integrity of a closed cell design.

Stents generally can include multiple longitudinal elements each extending over a majority of the length of the stent and each having alternating flexible and rigid segments. The stents can include nodes positioned between the flexible and rigid segments on the longitudinal elements and interconnecting members extending circumferentially to connect adjacent longitudinal elements at the nodes. The longitudinal elements can have a wave pattern and the interconnecting members can have a branch structure connecting peaks from one longitudinal element to troughs of an adjacent longitudinal element. The resulting stent structure can have lateral and longitudinal flexibility needed to navigate and conform to intracranial arteries with the benefits of recapturability and structural integrity of a closed cell design.

An endoluminal stent and associated methods for placing the endoluminal stent in a lumen of a trachea of a patient. The stent includes an elongate framework having a first open end, a second open end opposite the first open end, and a lumen extending from the first open end to the second open end. The elongate framework includes a first edge extending from the first open end to the second open end, a second edge extending from the first open end to the second open end, and an opening between the first edge and the second edge extending from the first open end to the second open end such that the stent has a C-shaped cross-section. The stent may be implanted in a trachea with the opening positioned along a posterior wall of the trachea adjacent the trachealis muscle.

An endoluminal stent and associated methods for placing the endoluminal stent in a lumen of a trachea of a patient. The stent includes an elongate framework having a first open end, a second open end opposite the first open end, and a lumen extending from the first open end to the second open end. The elongate framework includes a first edge extending from the first open end to the second open end, a second edge extending from the first open end to the second open end, and an opening between the first edge and the second edge extending from the first open end to the second open end such that the stent has a C-shaped cross-section. The stent may be implanted in a trachea with the opening positioned along a posterior wall of the trachea adjacent the trachealis muscle.

Disclosed herein is a bowl-shaped neck bridge with a distal-facing concavity and a central lumen. The neck bridge is inserted and expanded within a cerebral aneurysm. The, embolic members (such as embolic coils, embolic ribbons, or string-of-pearls embolic strands) are inserted through the central lumen into the aneurysm sac.

Devices that can be delivered into a vascular system to divert flow are disclosed herein. According to some embodiments, devices are provided for treating aneurysms by diverting flow. A flow-diverting device can comprise, for example, a frame and mesh immovably attached to and extending over a portion of the frame. The mesh can include a plurality of pores that are sized to inhibit the flow of blood through the frame into an aneurysm to a degree sufficient to lead to thrombosis and healing of the aneurysm when the device is positioned in a blood vessel and adjacent to the aneurysm.