A medical device includes a tubular support structure having a plurality of ringlets arranged sequentially along a common longitudinal axis thereof, a plurality of long connecting elements and optionally, a plurality of short connecting elements to connect the plurality of ringlets. Each of the plurality of ringlet is formed by of plurality of crowns connected along a circumferential direction, each crown being formed by two straight struts arranged in V-shaped configuration. At least one of the plurality of long connecting elements connects adjacent ringlets. In addition, consecutive long connecting elements connecting adjacent ringlets are to form a mirror-reflection of each other about a radial plane of reflection.

The present invention includes a device for effecting deformation of a sclera of an eye, including an expandable, mesh tube having holes dispersed through an entire surface thereof and with first and second tapered ends, and inserted unexpanded to deform the sclera when expanded. A central portion is intrascleral, with the first and second tapered ends external to the sclera on top of an intact scleral surface to deform during expansion, and simultaneously causes the sclera to be deformed so that the sclera moves towards the inside of the eye while simultaneously causing the sclera to move towards the outside of the eye. The mesh tube includes struts, connecting points of the struts are of different sizes, the first and second tapered ends and the connecting points within the tapered ends are thicker than the connecting points of the mesh tube, and the mesh tube includes fixation tabs.

This invention relates to an implantable device for a physiologic sensor, comprising an implantable expandable anchor, a bridge on which the sensor is secured, as well as an optional adapting ring. The invention also relates to a method of monitoring bodily functions using the anchor and sensor. The anchor is compressed and the bridge assumes an elongated shape during delivery to a target lumen. Upon deployment at the target site, the anchor expands and the bridge bows into the interior lumen of the expanded anchor, distancing the sensor from the vessel wall. This invention also relates to a method of manufacturing said device and a method of implanting a sensor.

Bioabsorbable scaffolds having high crush recoverability, high fracture resistance, and reduced or no recoil due to self expanding properties at physiological conditions are disclosed. The scaffolds are made from a random copolymer PLLA and a rubbery polymer such as polycaprolactone.

Apparatus and methods are described including an aortic pressure-loss-reduction device (20) configured to be implanted inside an ascending aorta of a subject. The aortic pressure-loss-reduction device includes a frame (52) that defines an upstream anchor portion (56UF), an intermediate portion (23F) configured to define a conduit (26) therethrough, and a downstream anchor portion (56DF). Angled struts (150) are disposed between a downstream end of the upstream anchor portion (56UF) and an upstream end of the intermediate portion (23F). The angled struts (150) are configured such that, in response to a diameter of the upstream anchor portion (56UF) changing by an absolute amount, an absolute change in a diameter of the upstream end of the intermediate portion (23F) is less than the absolute amount by which the diameter of the upstream anchor portion (56 UF) changes. Other applications are also described.

A vascular stent, including a plurality of wave-shaped supporters connected in an axial direction. The tubular stent includes a proximal support mechanism, a middle support mechanism, and a differential support mechanism connected in sequence; the middle support mechanism and the distal support mechanism are respectively closed-loop structure; the proximal support mechanism includes a first support portion connected to the middle support mechanism and a second support portion provided at the proximal end of the first support portion; the first support portion is a closed-loop structure; the second support portion is an open-loop structure, and the end surface of the proximal end of the second support portion is an uneven structure to provide local support in the circumferential direction.

Apparatus and methods are described including implanting an aortic pressure-loss-reduction device in a subject's ascending aorta. While the device is inside a catheter, a distal end of the catheter is placed within the ascending aorta. A proximal covering sheath of the catheter is retracted such as to uncover at least a portion of a downstream anchor, 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 of the catheter is advanced, such as to cause an upstream anchor to anchor an upstream end device to the subject's ascending aorta, by the upstream anchor radially expanding against an inner wall of the ascending aorta. 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.

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.

An implantable prosthesis designed to transition from a contracted state to an expanded state, including a continuous tubular helical winding and a plurality of bridges. The helical winding includes a plurality of circumferential sections spaced apart along a helical axis, each of the plurality of circumferential sections forming a non-orthogonal helical angle relative to the helical axis. The plurality of bridges connect adjacent circumferential sections, each having a length extending from a first end to a second end on a plane orthogonal to the helical axis, the length being equal to a circumferential offset between the adjacent circumferential sections in both the contracted state and the expanded state. The implantable prosthesis also includes a first annular ring orthogonal to the helical axis, and a first marker having a first end connected to the first annular ring, and a second end coupled to the first end of the helical winding.