A flow reducing implant for reducing blood flow in a blood vessel having a cross sectional dimension, the flow reducing implant comprising a hollow element adapted for placement in the blood vessel defining a flow passage therethrough, said flow passage comprising at least two sections, one with a larger diameter and one with a smaller diameter, wherein said smaller diameter is smaller than a cross section of the blood vessel. A plurality of tabs anchor, generally parallel to the blood vessel wall, are provided in some embodiments of the invention.

A flow reducing implant for reducing blood flow in a blood vessel having a cross sectional dimension, the flow reducing implant comprising a hollow element adapted for placement in the blood vessel defining a flow passage therethrough, said flow passage comprising at least two sections, one with a larger diameter and one with a smaller diameter, wherein said smaller diameter is smaller than a cross section of the blood vessel. A plurality of tabs anchor, generally parallel to the blood vessel wall, are provided in some embodiments of the invention.

Systems and methods for the manufacture of an hourglass shaped stent-graft assembly comprising an hourglass shaped stent, graft layers, and an assembly mandrel having an hourglass shaped mandrel portion. Hourglass shaped stent may have superelastic and self-expanding properties. Hourglass shaped stent may be encapsulated using hourglass shaped mandrel assembly coupled to a dilatation mandrel used for depositing graft layers upon hourglass shaped mandrel assembly. Hourglass shaped mandrel assembly may have removably coupled conical portions. The stent-graft assembly may be compressed and heated to form a monolithic layer of biocompatible material. Encapsulated hourglass shaped stents may be used to treat subjects suffering from heart failure by implanting the encapsulated stent securely in the atrial septum to allow blood flow from the left atrium to the right atrium when blood pressure in the left atrium exceeds that on the right atrium. The encapsulated stents may also be used to treat pulmonary hypertension.

A method for determining the positioning in deployed position of an expandable medical device type implant, including, from a three-dimensional image of a region of interest including the vascular structure, the following steps: determination of a centreline of the vascular structure, positioning of the IMD according to an initial position, around the centreline, simulation of the final position of the IMD after deployment, as a function of the stresses exerted by the walls of the vascular structure on the IMD, the determination of the centreline consisting in placing points so as to minimise a travel time of fluid along said points between an input point and an output point, the simulation of the final position of the IMD taking account of a level of longitudinal push-pull intended to be applied to the IMD during its implantation.

A stent system is disclosed. The stent system includes a balloon catheter having a balloon with a proximal zone, a transition zone and a distal zone including progressively decreasing diameters respectively. The stent of a pre-defined length includes a main branch segment, a transition segment and a side branch segment. The stent includes an expanded state and a crimped state. The stent is mounted over the balloon in the crimped state such that the main branch segment is mounted over the proximal zone, the transition segment is mounted over the transition zone and the side branch segment is mounted over the distal zone. In expanded state, the main branch segment, the transition segment and the side branch segment of the stent correspond to the respective zones of the balloon. The transition segment includes plural rows of elongated members connected to each other.

A stent system is disclosed. The stent system includes a balloon catheter having a balloon with a proximal zone, a transition zone and a distal zone including progressively decreasing diameters respectively. The stent of a pre-defined length includes a main branch segment, a transition segment and a side branch segment. The stent includes an expanded state and a crimped state. The stent is mounted over the balloon in the crimped state such that the main branch segment is mounted over the proximal zone, the transition segment is mounted over the transition zone and the side branch segment is mounted over the distal zone. In expanded state, the main branch segment, the transition segment and the side branch segment of the stent correspond to the respective zones of the balloon. The transition segment includes plural rows of elongated members connected to each other.

A medical device is operable to extend and/or retract elements suitable for a particular purpose. The elements are extended and/or retracted in response to a stress applied by way of stretching and/or retracting the device, among other methods. The elements may remain extended and/or retracted or may recoil back to an initial position upon the removal of the force. In various embodiments, the elements are used to treat or deliver treatment to a target site within a body.

An angioplasty balloon including a non-deployable stent to prevent or reduce the potential for slippage of the inflated balloon with respect to the vessel wall being treated. The balloon includes a non-deployable stent that is adapted to be secured to the balloon or angioplasty balloon catheter. The stent has a proximal end, a distal end, and at least three radially-spaced struts, each, each strut connecting the proximal end to the distal end and having one or more bends that allow expansion of the strut to accommodate the inflation of the balloon. The stem is made or a material so that the stent collapses upon deflation of the balloon.

An angioplasty balloon including a non-deployable stent to prevent or reduce the potential for slippage of the inflated balloon with respect to the vessel wall being treated. The balloon includes a non-deployable stent that is adapted to be secured to the balloon or angioplasty balloon catheter. The stent has a proximal end, a distal end, and at least three radially-spaced struts, each, each strut connecting the proximal end to the distal end and having one or more bends that allow expansion of the strut to accommodate the inflation of the balloon. The stem is made or a material so that the stent collapses upon deflation of the balloon.

A stent with a common connection interface, and a method and platform used to create a stent with a common connection interface is described. A common connection interface used to connect a stent to a pusher is described.