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.

An intraluminal stent includes pluralities of first and second wire segments made from a soft malleable alloy formed into a cylindrical structure. Each of the wire segments is defined by a series of sinusoidal bends formed over the length of each segment, with the initial unformed length of each second wire segment being larger than that of each first wire segment. Each of the first and second wire segments include the same number of sinusoidal bends with the amplitude of the of the sinusoidal bends of the second wire segments being larger than that of the sinusoidal bends of the first wire segments. Adjacent wire segments are conjoined by welds at apices of each sinusoidal bend to form the cylindrical or tubular structure. The first wire segments can form a center portion of the stent and the second wire segments can be provided at either or both ends of the stent, enabling minimized axial shrinkage when the stent is radially expanded from an initial to an expanded diameter and in which the second wire segment at the terminal end of the stent is caused to outwardly flare significantly relative to the remainder of a radially expanded stent.

A stent delivery system includes a core member and an expandable member coupled to the core member distal segment. A stent extends along the core member distal segment such that an inner surface of the stent is positioned over the expandable member. The stent has a primary heat-set configuration where the stent is radially expanded, and a secondary heat-set configuration where the stent is radially compressed. The expandable member is adapted to radially expand at least a portion of the stent from a radially compressed configuration toward a radially expanded configuration.

A graft compression system for compressing soft tissue grafts used in connection with reconstructive surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The graft compression system includes a compression chamber having an elongate hollow shaft body having two ends that are threaded to mate with correspondingly threaded collet nuts. Collets are removably inserted into, and engage, the collet nuts fastened to opposing ends of the compression chamber A surgical graft may be inserted into a hollow compression tube having a lumen with a compressible diameter, said compression tube being sized for insertion into the collets and compression chamber. When such collet nuts are tightened by a user of the graft compression system, the inner diameters of the respective collet nuts nested within such collet nuts are decreased, causing the diameter of the lumen of the hollow compression tube to in turn be decreased and compress the surgical graft within.

A method for implanting a prosthesis centrally within a curved lumen includes loading a prosthesis into a delivery sheath, advancing the sheath in a patient towards the curved lumen to place at least the proximal end of the prosthesis within the curved lumen, and centering the proximal end of the prosthesis and/or the distal end of the sheath within the curved lumen. In a first advancing step, the outer catheter containing the inner sheath is advanced together towards the curved lumen to a location proximal of the curved lumen and, in a second advancing step, the inner sheath containing the prosthesis is advanced into the curved lumen to place at least the proximal end within the curved lumen while the outer catheter substantially remains at the location. After centering, the proximal end of the prosthesis is deployed centered within the curved lumen.

A method for implanting a prosthesis centrally within a curved lumen includes loading a prosthesis into a delivery sheath, advancing the sheath in a patient towards the curved lumen to place at least the proximal end of the prosthesis within the curved lumen, and centering the proximal end of the prosthesis and/or the distal end of the sheath within the curved lumen. In a first advancing step, the outer catheter containing the inner sheath is advanced together towards the curved lumen to a location proximal of the curved lumen and, in a second advancing step, the inner sheath containing the prosthesis is advanced into the curved lumen to place at least the proximal end within the curved lumen while the outer catheter substantially remains at the location. After centering, the proximal end of the prosthesis is deployed centered within the curved lumen.

Storage devices, loading devices, delivery systems, kits, and associated methods for implantable medical devices are described. An example embodiment of a storage device includes a storage member, a first cap, and a second cap. The storage member has a first end, a second end, and a main body that defines a first opening, a second opening, a passageway, a separating wall, and a plurality of holes. The passageway has a first portion and a second portion. The first portion extends from the first end of the storage member to the separating wall and the second portion extends from the second end of the storage member to the separating wall. Each hole of the plurality of holes extends through the separating wall and provides access between the first portion and the second portion. Each of the first and second caps is releasably attached to the storage member.

An expandable sheath is disclosed herein, which has a first polymeric layer and a braided layer positioned radially outward of the first polymeric layer. The braided layer includes a plurality of filaments braided together. The expandable sheaths further include a resilient elastic layer positioned radially outward of the braided layer. The elastic layer is configured to apply radial force to the braided layer and the first polymeric layer. The expandable sheath further includes a second polymeric layer positioned radially outward of the elastic layer and bonded to the first polymeric layer such that the braided layer and the elastic layer are encapsulated between the first and second polymeric layers. Methods of making and using the devices disclosed herein are also disclosed, as are crimping devices that may be used in methods of making the devices disclosed herein.

A crimping device includes a housing and a crimping band. The housing has a lumen for receiving a prosthetic valve. The crimping band is adjustably coupled to the housing and has a first end portion, a second end portion, and a loop. The loop of the crimping band is disposed within the lumen and move between first and second configurations. In the first configuration, the loop has a first diameter and is configured such that the prosthetic valve in a radially expanded configuration can be positioned radially within the loop. In the second configuration, the loop has a second diameter and is configured to apply a radial force on the prosthetic valve to move the prosthetic valve to a radially compressed configuration. The loop of the crimping band is configured to contact less than half of an axial length of the prosthetic valve.

The present disclosure comprises devices, systems, and methods having an inverted sheath configured to cover, and in some instances constrain, a medical device and to retract through eversion, thus enabling the deployment of medical device at the treatment site. A constraining sheath can evert hydraulically. A constraining sheath can be configured to neck down a medical device to achieve a lower delivery profile. Furthermore, a constraining sheath can comprise a balloon to expand or positionally or structurally adjust a medical device.