Devices and methods for assisting valve function, replacing venous valves, and predicting valve treatment successes. In an exemplary embodiment of an endograft body configured for expansion within a luminal organ, the endograft body comprises (a) a first portion having a proximal end defining a proximal end aperture and a distal end defining a distal end aperture, the first portion configured to increase a velocity of fluid flowing therethrough, (b) a second portion having a second portion proximal end defining a second portion proximal end aperture and a second portion distal end defining a second portion distal end aperture, wherein the distal end of the first portion is adjacent to the second portion proximal end, and (c) a valve portion positioned at or near the second portion proximal end, the valve portion configured to receive the fluid flowing through the distal end aperture of the first portion.

A covered stent includes a tubular main stent and a connection stent disposed on the main stent. An opening is formed in a side wall of the main stent. The connection stent includes a fixed segment connected to the side wall of the main stent and a free segment connected to the fixed segment. Each of the fixed segment and the free segment further includes a stent and a coating covering the surface of the stent. One end of the free segment distant from the fixed segment is connected to the edge of the opening, and a gap is formed between one side of the free segment near to the side wall of the main stent and the side wall of the main stent. This stent can effectively resolve the problem of the limitation of an adjusted angle at a connection segment of an external connection stent and has better flexibility.

A covered stent includes a tubular main stent and a connection stent disposed on the main stent. An opening is formed in a side wall of the main stent. The connection stent includes a fixed segment connected to the side wall of the main stent and a free segment connected to the fixed segment. Each of the fixed segment and the free segment further includes a stent and a coating covering the surface of the stent. One end of the free segment distant from the fixed segment is connected to the edge of the opening, and a gap is formed between one side of the free segment near to the side wall of the main stent and the side wall of the main stent. This stent can effectively resolve the problem of the limitation of an adjusted angle at a connection segment of an external connection stent and has better flexibility.

Systems and methods for deploying one or more stents within a bifurcated vessel are disclosed. A bifurcation-stent can include a main-branch portion and first and second side-branch portions each mechanically attached to the main-branch portion. The first and second side-branch portions are mechanically attached together at a branch point proximate the distal end of the main-branch portion. The bifurcation-stent can be disposed on two balloon catheters for deployment to a bifurcation. The bifurcation-stent is advanced within a main branch until it reaches the carina of the bifurcation, such as when the branch point abuts the carina. The bifurcation-stent can be deployed by inflating the balloon catheters such that the main-branch portion is disposed in the main vessel and the first and second side-branch portions are disposed in separate, respective side branches of the bifurcation.

Systems and methods for deploying one or more stents within a bifurcated vessel are disclosed. A bifurcation-stent can include a main-branch portion and first and second side-branch portions each mechanically attached to the main-branch portion. The first and second side-branch portions are mechanically attached together at a branch point proximate the distal end of the main-branch portion. The bifurcation-stent can be disposed on two balloon catheters for deployment to a bifurcation. The bifurcation-stent is advanced within a main branch until it reaches the carina of the bifurcation, such as when the branch point abuts the carina. The bifurcation-stent can be deployed by inflating the balloon catheters such that the main-branch portion is disposed in the main vessel and the first and second side-branch portions are disposed in separate, respective side branches of the bifurcation.

A method of fabricating a casting, the method including applying a substrate to a sacrificial mold, the sacrificial mold including a shaped non-planar receiving surface to receive the substrate and provide a casting of the substrate having a shaped structure corresponding to the receiving surface; and subjecting the sacrificial mold and casting to freeze drying conditions and sublimating the sacrificial mold from the casting to form a cast article including the shaped non-planar structure.

An implantable vein frame is contemplated in which two ring members are rigidly joined in spaced axial alignment via one or more interconnecting members. One of the one or more interconnecting members defines a protruding region that acts upon the implant placed within the frame and/or the vein that the vein frame is placed within to define a sinus region. The implant is placed within and scaffolded by the vein frame, and the vein frame is subsequently inserted within a vein via a venotomy, or interposed between two vein segments via vein interposition graft. The vein frame acts to support the structural integrity of the implant, and to scaffold and anchor the implant in place with the vein.

An implantable vein frame is contemplated in which two ring members are rigidly joined in spaced axial alignment via one or more interconnecting members. One of the one or more interconnecting members defines a protruding region that acts upon the implant placed within the frame and/or the vein that the vein frame is placed within to define a sinus region. The implant is placed within and scaffolded by the vein frame, and the vein frame is subsequently inserted within a vein via a venotomy, or interposed between two vein segments via vein interposition graft. The vein frame acts to support the structural integrity of the implant, and to scaffold and anchor the implant in place with the vein.

A method of preparing a structure is provided. The method includes providing an initial structure; casting a first material in one or more void volumes of the initial structure; removing the initial structure from the first material; obtaining a cast structure comprising the first material; coating a second material on the cast structure; casting a third material using the coated cast structure; removing the first material; and obtaining a final structure. In various embodiments, the initial structure can include a first initial structure and a second initial structure and casting a first material in one or more first void volumes of the first initial structure and in one or more second void volumes of the second initial structure. In various embodiments, the method includes assembling the first cast structure and the second cast structure and obtaining an assembled structure comprising the first cast structure and the second cast structure.

A method of preparing a structure is provided. The method includes providing an initial structure; casting a first material in one or more void volumes of the initial structure; removing the initial structure from the first material; obtaining a cast structure comprising the first material; coating a second material on the cast structure; casting a third material using the coated cast structure; removing the first material; and obtaining a final structure. In various embodiments, the initial structure can include a first initial structure and a second initial structure and casting a first material in one or more first void volumes of the first initial structure and in one or more second void volumes of the second initial structure. In various embodiments, the method includes assembling the first cast structure and the second cast structure and obtaining an assembled structure comprising the first cast structure and the second cast structure.