Systems and methods of fabricating corrugated electrospun fiber assemblies are disclosed herein. The method can include placing an electrospun fiber scaffold on a corrugation rod, wherein the corrugation rod comprises a helical structure; applying a monofilament fiber about the electrospun fiber scaffold and the corrugation rod from a dispenser as the dispenser is translated longitudinally and the corrugation rod is rotated such that the monofilament fiber is wrapped about the electrospun fiber scaffold at a defined threads per inch (TPI) to form a wrapped electrospun fiber assembly; and longitudinally compressing the corrugated electrospun fiber assembly until it has been compressed from a first length to a second length to form the corrugated electrospun fiber assembly. The corrugated electrospun fiber assemblies can be kink-resistant as compared to conventional electrospun fiber scaffolds. The corrugated electrospun fiber assemblies can be used in, for example, biological applications within a subject.

A lung volume reduction elastic implant (500) and a lung volume reduction instrument are provided. The lung volume reduction elastic implant (500) has an elastic deformation part (51), and a flexible guide (53, 53a) connected to the distal end of the elastic deformation part (51). The flexible guide (53, 53a) is provided with a first flexible part (531). The first flexible part (531) has an insert part (5312) and a distal part (5311). The insert part (5312) is connected to the distal end of the elastic deformation part (51). The distal end of the distal part (5311) of the first flexible part (531) is the distal end of the lung volume reduction elastic implant (500). The first flexible part (531) is internally provided with a radiograph component (56). The lung volume reduction elastic implant (500) and the lung volume reduction instrument use the implant (500) to provide a sufficient bending force while maintaining better flexibility, reducing the risk of bronchus contusion when the implant (500) is bent after the implant (500) is implanted into a bronchial tube, and enhancing the safety of lung volume reduction surgery.

Devices, methods, and systems are provided for loading an implantable device into a container. One aspect of the loading system contains a loader element with a loading tunnel that is configured to gradually contract an implantable device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to an expanded state as the implantable device travels through the loading tunnel.

A self-expandable stent (1) formed of a flexible, part-tubular body (2), anchoring portions (3) extending from each end of the body (2) and an array (4) of holes or perforations (40, 41, 42) through the body (2) and anchoring portions (3). The body (2) includes an open side (20) and a pair of axial edges (21) extending along a longitudinal axis (L) of the stent (1). The body (2) also includes a central portion (5) and a pair of axial edge portions (6) joining the central portion (5) to the axial edges (21). The central portion (5) of the body (2) is invertible from a relaxed, part-tubular condition to a flexed, inverted part-tubular condition in which the axial edges (21) overlap or converge toward one another for insertion and release in a lumen (TR, TET) to expand, bear against and support a wall of the lumen (TR, TET).

A method for treating an intestine with an expandable scaffolding expanded within the intestine. After placing the expandable scaffolding at a target location, such as across a fistula, the first and second end portions of the expandable scaffolding are radially expanded such that the first and second end portions contact an inner surface of the intestine on opposing sides of the fistula, anchoring the first and second end portions to the intestine. Radially expanding the first and second end portions foreshortens the medial portion along the longitudinal axis such that the first and second end portions are drawn closer together along the longitudinal axis as the medial portion foreshortens to close the fistula.

Y-stents and delivery apparatus for delivering the Y-stents include a delivery catheter with an open distal end having two, circumferentially opposed extensions separated by two receiving portions which receive an anatomical junction.

Devices, methods, and systems are provided for loading an implantable device into a container. One aspect of the loading system contains a loader element with a loading tunnel that is configured to gradually contract an implantable device into a compressed state of reduced size relative to an expanded state as the implantable device travels through the loading tunnel.

A method of promoting lung disinsufflation including inserting a catheter into a bronchial passage of a patient's lung. The catheter contains an implantable artificial bronchus compressed within the catheter. The method further includes using the catheter to position the implantable artificial bronchus in the bronchial passage such that the implantable artificial bronchus extends across openings of a plurality of other bronchial passages and withdrawing the catheter from the bronchial passage to cause the implantable artificial bronchus to naturally expand and remain in the bronchial passage. The implantable artificial bronchus is configured to promote enlargement of the bronchial passage and allow air to exit from the plurality of other bronchial passages and into the implantable artificial bronchus through one or more of the plurality of side openings.

Endobronchial methods, devices and systems for treating emphysema by creating an airway bypass in a patient's airway including a longitudinal fenestration held open by an airway expander.

Tracheal stents may include a plurality of wave form structures each extending radially about the support structure, a plurality of axial loop members extending axially between adjacent wave form structures and a polymeric covering disposed thereover. Tracheal stents may include an expandable metal structure and a plurality of spacer fins extending above an outer surface of the expandable metal structure. The plurality of spacer fins may be formed of a material different than that of the expandable metal structure.