Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems, and methods that include an implantable medical device and a constraining line conduit arranged around a circumference of the implantable medical device. The apparatuses, systems, and methods may also include a constraining line arranged through the constraining line conduit.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are directed toward apparatuses, systems (200), and methods for deploying a medical device (202). In certain instances, the medical device (202) may be a shunt device. In addition, the apparatuses, systems (200), and methods may include one or more constraining lines (212) arranged through a portion of the implantable medical device (202) and one or more release lines (216) configured to engage the one or more constraining lines (212).

A trans-aortic proximal aortic stent graft [TAPAS graft] for introducing into a blood vessel. A a tubular sheath which encases a folded self-expanding stent from the inside as well as from the outside such that a sheath outer wall of the sheath lies against the self-expanding stent from the outside and a sheath inner wall lies against the self-expanding stent from the inside and keeps the self-expanding stent folded. The self-expanding stent is surrounded by the sheath at the distal end in the transition from the sheath inner wall to the sheath outer wall, and the self-expanding stent is provided with an anchor at the proximal end. Also, a method for using a trans-aortic proximal aortic stent graft [TAPAS graft].

Apparatus and methods are described including implanting an aortic pressure-loss-reduction device (20) in a subject's ascending aorta. While the device is inside a catheter (42), a distal end of the catheter is placed within the ascending aorta. A proximal covering sheath (44) of the catheter is retracted such as to uncover at least a portion of a downstream anchor (31), such that the uncovered portion of the downstream anchor includes a portion of the frame that does not have material coupled thereto. Subsequently, a distal covering sheath (45) of the catheter is advanced, such as to cause an upstream anchor (33) to anchor an upstream end device (20) to the subject's ascending aorta, by the upstream anchor radially expending against an inner wall of the ascending aorta. Other applications are also described.

An insertion device for the insertion of a medical implant into a human and/or animal body. The device has at least one outer shaft, which has a proximal end and a distal end opposite the proximal end. A receiving element is connected to the outer shaft, for the implant. The outer shaft and the receiving element are surrounded at a transition between the outer shaft and receiving element by a locally placed sleeve, which dampens mechanical tensile and/or compressive stresses.

A stent coupler for use with a medical device delivery system is disclosed. A stent delivery system includes a core member having a distal segment and a coupler positioned about the core member distal segment. The coupler is rotatably coupled to the core member and includes a rigid plate having a first end surface, a second end surface, and a side surface extending between the first and second end surfaces, the side surface comprising one or more projections separated by recesses. The delivery system further includes a stent extending along the core member distal segment such that an inner surface of the stent is engaged by the one or more projections of the engagement member.

A prosthesis delivery device having a cannula with an expandable positioning device disposed at the proximal end thereof is disclosed. A prosthesis is retained on the cannula distal of the expandable device. Expansion of the expandable device retains and centers the delivery device and the prosthesis carried thereon in the vessel and allows repositioning of the prosthesis without contacting the proximal end of the prosthesis with the vessel walls prior to deployment.

A stent coupler for use with a medical device delivery system is disclosed. A stent delivery system includes a core member having a distal segment and a coupler positioned about the core member distal segment. the coupler is rotatably coupled to the core member and includes a rigid plate having a first end surface, a second end surface, and a side surface extending between the first and second end surfaces, the side surface comprising one or more projections separated by recesses. The delivery system further includes a stent extending along the core member distal segment such that an inner surface of the stent is engaged by the one or more projections of the engagement member.

A vascular graft deployment tool may include a grip, an elongated mandrel positioned distal of the grip, a vascular graft, at least part of which is disposed coaxially about the mandrel, a sheath assembly including a distal sheath portion and a proximal sheath potion, wherein the distal sheath portion and the proximal sheath portion are configured to constrain the vascular graft against the mandrel in an insertion diameter and a actuator that is moveable relative to the grip and engages the sheath assembly, wherein operation of the actuator causes at least one of the distal sheath portion and the proximal sheath portion to separate longitudinally to free at least a portion of the vascular graft. Further, a vascular graft is expandable from an insertion state to a deployed state and at least two suture cuffs are located between opposed ends of the vascular graft.

A vascular graft may be configured to transition from an insertion state to a deployed state. The graft comprising a proximal end having an expandable mesh, a distal end having an expandable mesh, and at least one suture cuff positioned between the proximal and distal ends, wherein each suture cuff comprises additional material relative to the proximal and distal ends that is configured to form when the vascular graft transitions from the insertion state to the deployed state.