Some embodiments are directed to methods and systems for percutaneously treating dissections in a patient's vasculature, such as, without limitation, the aorta. The method can include deploying a catheter containing a collapsed anchoring element, frame, and cover through a first vessel to an entry point of the dissection. The anchoring element can be secured to the second branch vessel. The frame can be expanded in the first branch vessel. The cover can be unfolded over at least a portion of the entry point. The cover then reduces blood flow into the entry point.

A small diameter vascular prosthesis includes an outer textile graft, an intermediate self-supporting coil or stent and an inner microporous layer. The outer textile graft allows for tissue ingrowth. The inner microporous layer provides blood impermeability without preclotting the prosthesis. The coil or stent provides kink resistance and resistance again collapsing of the outer textile graft and the inner microporous layer.

A torque detection vascular therapy system employing a vascular therapy device (101) and a torque detection controller (130). The vascular therapy device (101) is operable to be transitioned from a pre-deployed state to a post-deployed state, and includes a matrix of imageable markers representative of a geometry of the vascular therapy device (101). The torque detection controller (130) controls a detection of a non-torsional deployment or a torsional deployment of the vascular therapy device (101) subsequent to a transition of the vascular therapy device (101) from the pre-deployed state to the post-deployed state by deriving a vector indication of the non-torsional deployment or the torsional deployment of the vascular therapy device (101) from a matrix orientation similarity or a matrix orientation dissimilarity between a baseline device geometry of the vascular therapy device (101) represented by the matrix of the imageable markers and an imaged device geometry of the vascular therapy device (101) represented by the matrix of imageable markers.

A torque detection vascular therapy system employing a vascular therapy device (101) and a torque detection controller (130). The vascular therapy device (101) is operable to be transitioned from a pre-deployed state to a post-deployed state, and includes a matrix of imageable markers representative of a geometry of the vascular therapy device (101). The torque detection controller (130) controls a detection of a non-torsional deployment or a torsional deployment of the vascular therapy device (101) subsequent to a transition of the vascular therapy device (101) from the pre-deployed state to the post-deployed state by deriving a vector indication of the non-torsional deployment or the torsional deployment of the vascular therapy device (101) from a matrix orientation similarity or a matrix orientation dissimilarity between a baseline device geometry of the vascular therapy device (101) represented by the matrix of the imageable markers and an imaged device geometry of the vascular therapy device (101) represented by the matrix of imageable markers.

This application relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for replacing native heart valves with prosthetic heart valves and treating valvular insufficiency. In a representative embodiment, a support frame configured to be implanted in a heart valve comprises a main body formed by formed by a plurality of inner members forming an inner clover and a plurality of outer members forming an outer clover. The support frame can include gaps located between inner members of the plurality of inner members and outer members of the plurality of outer members. The inner clover can be radially inside the outer clover, and the outer clover can have larger dimensions than the inner clover. The support frames herein can be radially expandable and collapsible.

This application relates to methods, systems, and apparatus for replacing native heart valves with prosthetic heart valves and treating valvular insufficiency. In a representative embodiment, a support frame configured to be implanted in a heart valve comprises a main body formed by formed by a plurality of inner members forming an inner clover and a plurality of outer members forming an outer clover. The support frame can include gaps located between inner members of the plurality of inner members and outer members of the plurality of outer members. The inner clover can be radially inside the outer clover, and the outer clover can have larger dimensions than the inner clover. The support frames herein can be radially expandable and collapsible.

Medical devices including vascular access kits and related system and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a vascular access system may include a first conduit, a second conduit, and an expandable stent that is coupled to both the first and second conduits such that there is a continuous lumen between the first conduit and the second conduit. Methods of deploying the vascular access system within the body of a mammal, more particularly, a human patient are disclosed. Methods of bypassing a section of vasculature of a mammal, more particularly, a human patient are disclosed. The vascular access system, when implanted and assembled, may be a fully subcutaneous surgical implant.

Medical devices including vascular access kits and related system and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a vascular access system may include a first conduit, a second conduit, and an expandable stent that is coupled to both the first and second conduits such that there is a continuous lumen between the first conduit and the second conduit. Methods of deploying the vascular access system within the body of a mammal, more particularly, a human patient are disclosed. Methods of bypassing a section of vasculature of a mammal, more particularly, a human patient are disclosed. The vascular access system, when implanted and assembled, may be a fully subcutaneous surgical implant.

Barrett's esophagus is a serious complication of GERD. It is characterized by the replacement of the normal stratified squamous epithelium lining of the esophagus by simple columnar epithelium with goblet cells (which are usually found lower in the gastrointestinal tract). A method comprising deploying multiple stents to cause pressure ischemia and subsequent necrosis of the mucosal layer of the esophagus which is affected with the Barrett's disease is disclosed. A pair of implantable stents having specific characteristics is disclosed which can be deployed in the esophagus to cause necrosis of the mucosal layer of the esophagus through induction pressure.

The present invention relates to an implantable endoluminal graft comprised of a microporous thin-film metal covering having a plurality of openings and a structural support element underlying and physically attached to the microporous thin-film metal covering, the microporous thin-film metal covering having shape memory properties.