A medical stent having a first end, a second end, and a central longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, may include a plurality of first filaments each extending in a first helical path around the central longitudinal axis in a first direction and a plurality of second filaments each extending in a second helical path around the central longitudinal axis in a second direction. The plurality of first filaments may be interwoven with the plurality of second filaments. The first helical path of at least one of the plurality of first filaments may include a circumferential offset disposed between the first end and the second end.

In one embodiment according to the present invention, a stent is described having a generally cylindrical body formed from a single woven nitinol wire. The distal and proximal ends of the stent include a plurality of loops, some of which include marker members used for visualizing the position of the stent. In another embodiment, the previously described stent includes an inner flow diverting layer.

A stent with varying porosity is described. The stent can be comprised of multiple stents attached together. A braided stent may have selected regions of increased thickness. The stent may be comprised of wires that are welded together at their ends in order to minimize vessel trauma. The stent may comprise a helically wound radiopaque wire wound through the stent.

A braided vaso-occlusive member formed out of first plurality of filaments interwoven with a second plurality of filaments, wherein filaments of the first plurality are helically wound in a first rotational direction along an elongate axis of the braided member, and filaments of the second plurality are wound in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, such that filaments of the first plurality cross over and/or under filaments of the second plurality at each of a plurality cross-over locations axially spaced along the elongate axis of the braided member, wherein at each cross-over location, the filaments of the first plurality cross over at least two consecutive filaments of the second plurality, then cross under only a single filament of the second plurality, and then cross over at least two additional consecutive filaments of the second plurality.

Stents generally can include a tubular structure having circumferentially positioned undulating wires that extend over a majority of a length of the stent such that the undulations oscillate circumferentially to define a circumference of the stent. The undulations can wrap over and under adjacent undulations to form an interwoven structure. Additionally, or alternatively, adjacent wires can be joined. Wires forming the stent can be cut from elastic tubing such that each wire has a three-dimensional shape.

A self-sealing tubular graft is provided for implantation within a patient's body that includes an elongate tubular body including first and second self-sealing cannulation regions and a loop region extending between the first and second cannulation regions. The loop region includes one or more reinforcement members attached to a first length of the loop region and extending at least partially around a circumference of the tubular body. For example, the reinforcement members may include one or more sinusoidal or zigzag members extending along the first length with alternating peaks and valleys extending at least partially around a circumference of the tubular body. Self-sealing patches are also provided that include one or more reinforcement members embedded within base material.

A braided vaso-occlusive member formed out of first plurality of filaments interwoven with a second plurality of filaments, wherein filaments of the first plurality are helically wound in a first rotational direction along an elongate axis of the braided member, and filaments of the second plurality are wound in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, such that filaments of the first plurality cross over and/or under filaments of the second plurality at each of a plurality cross-over locations axially spaced along the elongate axis of the braided member, wherein at each cross-over location, the filaments of the first plurality cross over at least two consecutive filaments of the second plurality, then cross under only a single filament of the second plurality, and then cross over at least two additional consecutive filaments of the second plurality.

A dual opposing helical stent having a furled, small-diameter state and an expanded, large-diameter state. In the furled, small-diameter state, the stent includes a plurality of central lobes arranged at spaced-apart intervals and extending longitudinally defining a stent axis. The stent also includes peripheral lobes formed on the plurality of central lobes. The terminal ends of the stent are welded in a middle section of the stent. A method and technique for manufacturing the stent is also disclosed.

In one embodiment according to the present invention, a stent is described having a generally cylindrical body formed from a single woven nitinol wire. The distal and proximal ends of the stent include a plurality of loops, some of which include marker members used for visualizing the position of the stent. In another embodiment, the previously described stent includes an inner flow diverting layer.

A self-sealing tubular graft is provided for implantation within a patient's body that includes an elongate tubular body including first and second self-sealing cannulation regions and a loop region extending between the first and second cannulation regions. The loop region includes one or more reinforcement members attached to a first length of the loop region and extending at least partially around a circumference of the tubular body. For example, the reinforcement members may include one or more sinusoidal or zigzag members extending along the first length with alternating peaks and valleys extending at least partially around a circumference of the tubular body. Self-sealing patches are also provided that include one or more reinforcement members embedded within base material.