Methods and devices useful, for example, in the field of angioplasty and stenting are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods, devices and kits are configured for directional expansion inside a lumen, for example of a blood vessel obstructed by plaque. In some embodiments, the directional expansion displaces the plaque in a desired direction.

Methods and devices useful, for example, in the field of angioplasty and stenting are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods, devices and kits are configured for directional expansion inside a lumen, for example of a blood vessel obstructed by plaque. In some embodiments, the directional expansion displaces the plaque in a desired direction.

An endograft (102) includes a stent structure. An optical shape sensing (OSS) system (104) is associated with the endograft and is configured to measure shape, position and/or orientation of the stent structure. The OSS system (104) is connected to the stent structure and removable in a plurality of ways. Methods for deployment and removal of the OSS system are also provided.

An endograft (102) includes a stent structure. An optical shape sensing (OSS) system (104) is associated with the endograft and is configured to measure shape, position and/or orientation of the stent structure. The OSS system (104) is connected to the stent structure and removable in a plurality of ways. Methods for deployment and removal of the OSS system are also provided.

A system for medical device deployment includes an optical shape sensing (OSS) system (104) associated with a deployable medical device (102) or a deployment instrument (107). The OSS system is configured to measure shape, position or orientation of the deployable medical device and/or deployment instrument. A registration module (128) is configured to register OSS data with imaging data to permit placement of the deployable medical device. An image processing module (142) is configured to create a visual representation (102′) of the deployable medical device and to jointly display the deployable medical device with the imaging data.

A system for medical device deployment includes an optical shape sensing (OSS) system (104) associated with a deployable medical device (102) or a deployment instrument (107). The OSS system is configured to measure shape, position or orientation of the deployable medical device and/or deployment instrument. A registration module (128) is configured to register OSS data with imaging data to permit placement of the deployable medical device. An image processing module (142) is configured to create a visual representation (102′) of the deployable medical device and to jointly display the deployable medical device with the imaging data.

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 multi-element, vascular stent may be used to maintain or enhance patency of a blood vessel. The stent may be used in peripheral blood vessels, which may be long and/or tortuous. By using multiple, separate stent elements that are balloon expandable, the multi-element stent may be stronger than a traditional self-expanding stent but may also be more flexible, due to its multiple-element configuration, than a traditional balloon-expandable stent. The distance between stent elements may be based on characteristics of the stent and the target vessel location such that the stent elements do not touch one another during skeletal movement. Thus, the multi-element, vascular stent described herein may be particularly advantageous for treating long lesions in tortuous peripheral blood vessels.

Provided are a silicone stent (100), an implantation system, and a manufacturing method. The silicone stent (100) includes a stent body (110). The stent body (110) includes a mesh frame (112) and a silicone body (111) molded on the mesh frame (112). A circumferentially sealed space (116) is defined within the silicone body (111). A distal end and a proximal end of the silicone body (111) respectively have a distal-end opening (115) and a proximal-end opening (114) that communicate with the space (116). The mesh frame (112) circumferentially covers the silicone body (111), and runs in an axial direction of the silicone body (111). The mesh frame (112) extends from the proximal end of the silicone body (111) to the distal end of the silicone body (111).

Provided are a silicone stent (100), an implantation system, and a manufacturing method. The silicone stent (100) includes a stent body (110). The stent body (110) includes a mesh frame (112) and a silicone body (111) molded on the mesh frame (112). A circumferentially sealed space (116) is defined within the silicone body (111). A distal end and a proximal end of the silicone body (111) respectively have a distal-end opening (115) and a proximal-end opening (114) that communicate with the space (116). The mesh frame (112) circumferentially covers the silicone body (111), and runs in an axial direction of the silicone body (111). The mesh frame (112) extends from the proximal end of the silicone body (111) to the distal end of the silicone body (111).