Apparatus and methods are provided for flaring a stent deployed within a branch vessel including an ostium communicating with a main vessel, a first end of the stent extending at least partially from the branch. A catheter is provided that includes a balloon having a reinforced region adjacent an unreinforced region. When the balloon is positioned at a desired location, e.g., within a stent, prosthetic valve, or other tubular prosthesis, the balloon may be inflated to a first pressure causing the reinforced and unreinforced regions to expand substantially simultaneously. Upon inflation of the balloon beyond the first pressure, the reinforced region of the balloon remains at the first diameter and the unreinforced region continues to expand, e.g., to flare one or more ends of the prosthesis.

An endoprosthesis (1) comprising a body part (2), a first cover sheet (4), and a thrombogenic fiber (5), wherein the (5) fibers are attached to the endoprosthesis (1) by means of a fixation layer (7) and partially arranged between the first cover sheet (4) and the fixation layer (7).

The invention relates to an endoprosthesis (1), in particular a vascular stent or a heart stent, comprising at least one body (3) part. At least one area (5,6) of an outer surface, preferably the whole outer surface, of the at least one body part (3) is provided with thrombogenic fibers (2). The invention further relates to methods of manufacturing endoprostheses (1).

A biocompatible membrane composite including a cell impermeable layer and a mitigation layer is provided. The cell impermeable layer is impervious to vascular ingrowth and prevents cellular contact from the host. Additionally, the mitigation layer includes solid features. In at least one embodiment, mitigation layer has therein bonded solid features. In some embodiments, the cell impermeable layer and the mitigation layer are intimately bonded or otherwise connected to each other to form a composite layer having a tight/open structure. A reinforcing component may optionally be positioned external to or within the biocompatible membrane composite to provide support to and prevent distortion. The biocompatible membrane composite may be used in or to form a device for encapsulating biological entities, including, but not limited to, pancreatic lineage type cells such as pancreatic progenitors.

Disclosed are an artificial esophageal structure having a multi-layer structure using three-dimensional bio-printing, and a manufacturing device and manufacturing method therefor. The artificial esophageal structure having a multi-layer structure according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a first layer in the shape of a hollow column and having a circular cross section; a second layer which is disposed inside the first layer and which is a column structure that simulates the mucosal layer of the esophagus; and an interlayer support part which is disposed between the first layer and the second layer and which maintains a gap between the layers, wherein the first layer and second layer each comprise: a plurality of column parts disposed at predetermined intervals; and a plurality of strands formed between the plurality of column parts by a dragging technique, and may have a porous structure due to pores between the plurality of strands.

A bioactive scaffold for use in reconstruction of an anterior cruciate ligament of a patient, may include a tissue matrix configured to wrap around a graft configured to extend from a first bone of a joint to a second bone of the joint. The tissue matrix may include collagen type I. The tissue matrix may include a first plurality of apertures extending through the tissue matrix along a first edge of the tissue matrix and a second plurality of apertures extending through the tissue matrix along a second edge of the tissue matrix. At least one filament may be configured to be laced through the first plurality of apertures and the second plurality of apertures and draw the first edge of the tissue matrix toward the second edge of the tissue matrix when the at least one filament is subjected to tension thereby closing the tissue matrix around the graft.

Methods of producing hybrid fibrous scaffolds are provided. The methods include dissolving a polymer, such as polydioxanone, in a solution, such as 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFP), to form a polymer-containing solution. The method comprises electrically charging the polymer-containing solution. The method comprises writing the polymer-containing solution on a counter electrode or a ground in a grid pattern to form semi-stable fibers comprised of the polymer, the semi-stable fibers vary between bent and straight and forming the hybrid fibrous scaffold. The writing may be performed by a 3D printer. The resulting scaffolds and methods of using the same are also disclosed herein.

A method of manufacturing a covered stent is disclosed. The method includes winding a first PTFE tape around a cylinder body of a jig, winding a second PTFE tape around a stent including the jig fitted therein, heating the stent in an oven, fitting the stent into upper and lower elastic members, fitting the elastic members into a mold, pressing the upper elastic member to bond the PTFE tapes to each other and to thus form a first film at a cylindrical body of the stent, taking the elastic members out of the mold, taking the stent out of the elastic members, removing the jig from the stent, forming a silicone coating layer at an expansion portion of the stent, and sewing the spaces in the expansion portion, the second PTFE tape, and the silicone coating layer to form a second film at the expansion portion.

A heart valve includes a valve body made of a flexible material such as pericardium. The valve body is made of two layers of material, an outer layer, and an inner layer that defines a plurality of leaflets. The leaflets of the inner layer are attached to the outer layer. In some embodiments the valve body is made by cutting a single piece of flat source tissue, folding the cut tissue and forming it into a tubular pattern having the inner and outer layers. The multi-layer valve body can be mounted on a stent for delivery within a patient's heart.

Glaucoma treatment systems are disclosed. In various example, the glaucoma treatment systems include a body and a fluid conduit configured to facilitate an evacuation of fluid, such as aqueous humor, from a fluid-filled body cavity, such as an anterior chamber of an eye. In some examples, the fluid conduit is soft and compliant, and the glaucoma treatment system includes one or more stiffening members coupled with the fluid conduit to temporarily stiffen the fluid conduit and help aid in the delivery of the glaucoma treatment device. In some examples, the stiffening members are removable from the fluid conduit after the glaucoma treatment system has been implanted.