Devices that can be delivered into a vascular system to divert flow are disclose herein. According to some embodiments, devices are provided for treating aneurysms by diverting flow. An expandable device can comprise, for example, first a plurality of strut regions and a plurality of bridge regions. Each of the bridge regions may connect a first strut of a first strut region to a second strut of a second strut region. The first strut region may comprise a first plurality of apices defining a first circumferential plane, and the second strut region may comprise a second plurality of apices defining a second circumferential plane. A first curved segment of the bridge may extend across the first circumferential plane towards the first strut region, and a second curved segment of the bridge may extend across the second circumferential plane towards the second strut region.

Various stents and stent-graft systems for treatment of medical conditions are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary stent-graft system may be used for endovascular treatment of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. The stent-graft system may comprise proximal and distal components, each comprising a graft having proximal and distal ends, where upon deployment the proximal and distal components at least partially overlap with one another to provide a fluid passageway therebetween. The proximal component may comprise a proximal stent having a plurality of proximal and distal apices connected by a plurality of generally straight portions, where a radius of curvature of at least one of the proximal apices may be greater than the radius of curvature of at least one of the distal apices. The distal component may comprise a proximal z-stent coupled to the graft, where the proximal end of the graft comprises at least scallop formed therein that generally follows the shape of the proximal z-stent. Further, the distal component may comprise at least one z-stent stent coupled to the distal end of the graft and extending distally therefrom that reduces proximal migration of the distal component.

A medical implant has a center axis and includes first and second flexible waved strands disposed around the center axis. The second flexible waved strand is in spatial communication with the first flexible waved strand to form a plurality of first unit shapes and a plurality of second unit shapes. Therein, the first unit shapes and the second unit shapes are staggered around the center axis. The first unit shapes are coupled to the second unit shapes to cause the first and second flexible waved strands to move substantially along the center axis. The first and second flexible waved strands together define a self-anchoring configuration in a radial direction perpendicular to the center axis so that a ratio of a von Mises stress to an axial displacement of the medical implant during an implant compression of the medical implant is greater than 0.1 and less than 30.

Apparatus and methods are described, including a stent configured to be placed in a lumen. The stent includes a generally cylindrical stent body comprising a plurality of struts, and a plurality of antenna posts protruding longitudinally from an end of the stent body. Each of the antenna posts includes a proximal and distal portions, each of which is configured to be generally straight in the absence of any force being applied to the antenna post, and a compliant junction disposed between the proximal and distal portions, the proximal and distal portions being configured to flex with respect to one another about the compliant junction. An antenna is disposed annularly on the distal portions of the antenna posts, such that the antenna posts separate the antenna from the end of the stent body. Other applications are also described.

A stent for vascular interventions having a hybrid open cell geometry. Variants of the stent include bare metal stents and drug-eluting stents. Embodiments of the stent include end projections for radiopaque markers or a discontinuous partial radiopaque coating on low-stress or low-strain regions of the peripheral stent. The stents of the invention are characterized by having thin walls, nested rows of struts, high expansion ratio, high and uniform radial force over entire diametric size and length of device, crush resistance up to and including about 90% of its fully expanded diameter, high fatigue resistance and high corrosion resistance.

Implantable medical grafts fabricated of metallic or pseudometallic films of biocompatible materials having a plurality of microperforations passing through the film in a pattern that imparts fabric-like qualities to the graft or permits the geometric deformation of the graft. The implantable graft is preferably fabricated by vacuum deposition of metallic and/or pseudometallic materials into either single or multi-layered structures with the plurality of microperforations either being formed during deposition or after deposition by selective removal of sections of the deposited film. The implantable medical grafts are suitable for use as endoluminal or surgical grafts and may be used as vascular grafts, stent-grafts, skin grafts, shunts, bone grafts, surgical patches, non-vascular conduits, valvular leaflets, filters, occlusion membranes, artificial sphincters, tendons and ligaments.

Apparatus and methods are described, including a stent configured to be placed in a lumen. The stent includes a generally cylindrical stent body including a plurality of struts, at least one electrode post protruding from the stent body, and a plurality of antenna posts protruding longitudinally from an end of the stent body. The antenna posts are longitudinally separated from the electrode post. An antenna is disposed annularly on the antenna posts, such that the antenna posts separate the antenna from the end of the stent body, and at least one electrode is coupled to the stent by being placed on the electrode post. Additional embodiments are also described.

A variable flow stent is described for use with AV fistulas, TIPS procedures or dialysis grafts. The flow may be varied by adjusting the diameter of the stent. Embodiments include: a covered stent having a secondary chamber that functions as an air or fluid bladder; an expandable chamber within an interior stent covering; a retractable jack device with hooks that engage (snag) opposing walls of the stent; and, a stent with a hollow chamber or pocket in the interior stent covering into which an expandable balloon can be inserted. A self-healing valve is described for inflating or deflating expandable elements within the stent and may be implemented using a self-healing membrane. A radiopaque collar may be used to provide a marker surrounding the self-healing valve. If under-shunting or over-shunting occurs over time, the variable diameter stent may be adjusted using a second procedure.

An endoluminal stent (100) is described herein. In an embodiment, the endoluminal stent (100) includes a plurality of sinusoidal-shaped expandable ringlets (102) provided in parallel to form a tubular structure of the endoluminal stent (100). Further, adjacent ringlets (102) can be connected to each other by one or more asymmetrical offset connectors (108), the offset connectors (108) being non-linear in structure.

A flow modifying apparatus may include a plurality of struts coupled together to form a radially expandable frame having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal and distal ends may be radially expandable into expanded proximal and distal ends. A reduced diameter portion of the expandable frame may be disposed between the expanded proximal and distal ends and the reduced diameter portion may comprise a fluid flow through passage. A cover may be disposed over at least a portion of the radially expandable frame. The reduced diameter portion modifies fluid flow therethrough immediately upon implantation thereof and forms a pressure gradient between the inflow end and the reduced diameter portion.