Devices for maintaining surgically created openings
First Claim
1. A conduit for maintaining the patency of a channel created in tissue comprising:
- a radially expandable center section having a first end and a second end and a passageway extending between said first and second ends;
at least one center-control segment configured to restrict radial expansion of said passageway to a maximum profile; and
at least one extension member extending from each of said first end and said second end of said center section, each of said extension members having a fixed end connected to one of said first and second ends of the center section and a movable end such that each of said extension members is capable of bending about said fixed end.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Devices and methods are directed to improving the gaseous exchange in a lung of an individual having, for instance, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. More particularly, conduits may be deployed in the lung to maintain collateral openings (or channels) surgically created through airway walls. This tends to facilitate both the exchange of oxygen ultimately into the blood and decompress hyper-inflated lungs. The conduit includes a radially expandable center section having a first end, a second end, and a passageway extending from the first end to the second end. A control segment may be associated with the conduit to limit the degree of radial expansion. The conduit further includes a plurality of deflectable members extending from the ends of the center section. A tissue barrier may coaxially surround the conduit such that tissue ingrowth is prevented. The conduits may also include hold-down members and bioactive coatings that serve to prevent ejection of the conduit as well as prevent narrowing of the passageway due to tissue ingrowth.
242 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A conduit for maintaining the patency of a channel created in tissue comprising:
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a radially expandable center section having a first end and a second end and a passageway extending between said first and second ends;
at least one center-control segment configured to restrict radial expansion of said passageway to a maximum profile; and
at least one extension member extending from each of said first end and said second end of said center section, each of said extension members having a fixed end connected to one of said first and second ends of the center section and a movable end such that each of said extension members is capable of bending about said fixed end. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 43, 44)
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36-42. -42. (canceled)
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45-105. -105. (canceled)
Specification