The present invention is directed to a deployment system for an endoluminal device. The deployment system includes a confining sheath placed around a compacted endoluminal device. A deployment line is provided in the system that is an integral extension of the sheath. As the deployment line is actuated, the sheath retracts from around the compacted endoluminal device. As the sheath retracts from around the endoluminal device, material from the sheath may be converted into deployment line. Once the sheath is retracted from around the compacted endoluminal device, the endoluminal device expands in configuration and repairs vascular or cardiac structures of an implant recipient. Any remaining sheath material is removed from the implantation site along with the deployment line.

Loading systems for compressing and loading an implantable medical device into a device chamber of a medical device delivery system are described. The loading systems include an elongate holding chamber within which the intraluminal medical device is disposed. A plunger has one or more attached pushers adapted to axially advance the intraluminal medical device through an intermediate portion of the holding chamber that has a tapered surface, which compresses the intraluminal medical device over a dilator of a medical device delivery system that has been introduced through the distal end of the elongate holding chamber. The elongate holding chamber can be placed within an outer storage container with an appropriate seal to for storage of the intraluminal medical device within the loading system. Methods of preparing an intraluminal medical device for implantation in a patient and kits useful in such methods are also described.

A graft compression system for compressing soft tissue grafts used in connection with reconstructive surgery. The graft compression system includes an upper press body and lower press body, pivotally couple to one another, each having inner sides having a plurality of parallel semi-circular shaped channels formed thereon. The plurality of parallel semi-circular shaped channels have sequentially decreasing channel widths. The upper press body and said lower press body of the graft compression system are configured to pivot about a pivot pin such that the inner sides abut one another, and such that the two sets of semi-circular shaped channels are substantially aligned with one another so as to receive a graft for compression. A screw press barrel is attached to the lower press body, on a side opposite the pivot pin, and is configured to compress the upper press body and lower press body.

A medical stent having a first end, a second end, and a central longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, may include a plurality of first filaments each extending in a first helical path around the central longitudinal axis in a first direction and a plurality of second filaments each extending in a second helical path around the central longitudinal axis in a second direction. The plurality of first filaments may be interwoven with the plurality of second filaments. The first helical path of at least one of the plurality of first filaments may include a circumferential offset disposed between the first end and the second end.

The present disclosure comprises devices, systems, and methods having an inverted sheath configured to cover, and in some instances constrain, a medical device and to retract through eversion, thus enabling the deployment of medical device at the treatment site. A constraining sheath can evert hydraulically. A constraining sheath can be configured to neck down a medical device to achieve a lower delivery profile. Furthermore, a constraining sheath can comprise a balloon to expand or positionally or structurally adjust a medical device.

Medical device loading apparatuses, systems, methods and kits are described. A loading apparatus comprises a main body having a passageway. The passageway has a first inner diameter, a second inner diameter, and a transition chamber. An expandable intraluminal medical device can be loaded into a delivery catheter using the loading apparatus by placing the device into the passageway and pushing the device along an axial path.

A medical stent having a first end, a second end, and a central longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, may include a plurality of first filaments each extending in a first helical path around the central longitudinal axis in a first direction and a plurality of second filaments each extending in a second helical path around the central longitudinal axis in a second direction. The plurality of first filaments may be interwoven with the plurality of second filaments. The first helical path of at least one of the plurality of first filaments may include a circumferential offset disposed between the first end and the second end.

A graft compression system for compressing soft tissue grafts used in connection with reconstructive surgery. The graft compression system includes an upper press body and lower press body, pivotally couple to one another, each having inner sides having a plurality of parallel semi-circular shaped channels formed thereon. The plurality of parallel semi-circular shaped channels have sequentially decreasing channel widths. The upper press body and said lower press body of the graft compression system are configured to pivot about a pivot pin such that the inner sides abut one another, and such that the two sets of semi-circular shaped channels are substantially aligned with one another so as to receive a graft for compression. A screw press barrel is attached to the lower press body, on a side opposite the pivot pin, and is configured to compress the upper press body and lower press body.

A folding device for an introducer sheath is disclosed herein. The folding device includes a housing including a plurality of jaws rotatably coupled to the housing, each of the plurality of jaws is rotatable within a corresponding channel extending through a side wall of the housing. Each of the plurality of jaws are rotatable between a first (retracted) position, where the plurality of jaws do not extend into a central opening of the housing, and a second (contracted) position where at least a portion of each of the plurality of jaws extends into the central opening of the housing in a configuration to fold and/or compress a portion of the sheath received within the central opening of the housing.

An expandable sheath is disclosed herein, which has a first polymeric layer and a braided layer positioned radially outward of the first polymeric layer. The braided layer includes a plurality of filaments braided together. The expandable sheaths further include a resilient elastic layer positioned radially outward of the braided layer. The elastic layer is configured to apply radial force to the braided layer and the first polymeric layer. The expandable sheath further includes a second polymeric layer positioned radially outward of the elastic layer and bonded to the first polymeric layer such that the braided layer and the elastic layer are encapsulated between the first and second polymeric layers. Methods of making and using the devices disclosed herein are also disclosed, as are crimping devices that may be used in methods of making the devices disclosed herein.