Vascular implant
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A medical implant, comprising:
- first and second ring members, each comprising a resilient framework having a generally cylindrical form;
a tubular sleeve, fixed to the first and second ring members so as to hold the ring members in mutual longitudinal alignment, thereby defining a lumen passing through the ring members; and
a constricting element, which is fit around the sleeve at a location intermediate the first and second ring members so as to reduce a diameter of the lumen at the location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical implant (20) includes first and second ring members (22,24), each including a resilient framework (26) having a generally cylindrical form. A tubular sleeve (28) is fixed to the first and second ring members so as to hold the ring members in mutual longitudinal alignment, thereby defining a lumen (32) passing through the ring members. A constricting element (30) is fit around the sleeve at a location intermediate the first and second ring members so as to reduce a diameter of the lumen at the location.
124 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A medical implant, comprising:
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first and second ring members, each comprising a resilient framework having a generally cylindrical form;
a tubular sleeve, fixed to the first and second ring members so as to hold the ring members in mutual longitudinal alignment, thereby defining a lumen passing through the ring members; and
a constricting element, which is fit around the sleeve at a location intermediate the first and second ring members so as to reduce a diameter of the lumen at the location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for producing a medical implant, comprising:
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providing first and second ring members, each comprising a resilient framework having a generally cylindrical form;
fixing a tubular sleeve to the first and second ring members so as to hold the ring members in mutual longitudinal alignment, thereby defining a lumen passing through the ring members; and
fitting a constricting element around the sleeve at a location intermediate the first and second ring members so as to reduce a diameter of the lumen at the location. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for restricting flow of a fluid through a body passage, comprising:
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providing an implant comprising first and second ring members, each comprising a resilient framework having a generally cylindrical form, with a tubular sleeve, fixed to the first and second ring members so as to hold the ring members in mutual longitudinal alignment, thereby defining a lumen passing through the ring members, and a constricting element fit around the sleeve at a location intermediate the first and second ring members so as to reduce a diameter of the lumen at the location;
passing the implant, in a radially-compressed form, through the body passage to a target position within the body passage; and
causing the implant to expand radially at the target position so as to open the lumen therethrough. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 41)
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31. Apparatus for delivery of an implant to a target position in a body passage, the apparatus comprising:
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an elongate, tubular sheath, which is adapted to be passed through the body passage while containing the implant in a compressed state inside the sheath, wherein the sheath has a distal end made of an elastic material in a generally conical shape with an aperture formed therein; and
an ejector, which is adapted to force the implant in a distal direction, thus stretching the elastic material so as to expand the aperture, whereby the implant passes through the aperture.
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32. Apparatus for delivery of an implant to a target position in a body passage, the apparatus comprising:
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an elongate, tubular sheath, which is adapted to be passed through the body passage while containing the implant in a compressed state inside the sheath, wherein the sheath has a distal end having a generally conical shape with an aperture formed therein; and
an ejector, which is adapted to force the implant in a distal direction, thus causing the distal end of the sheath to tear so as to expand the aperture, whereby the implant passes through the aperture. - View Dependent Claims (33)
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34. Apparatus for delivery of an implant to a target position in a body passage, the apparatus comprising:
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an elongate, tubular sheath, which is adapted to be passed through the body passage while containing the implant in a compressed state inside the sheath, wherein the sheath has a distal end with an aperture formed therein;
a lumen passing longitudinally through the sheath and through the implant contained within the sheath, such that a portion of the lumen at the distal end of the sheath is distended so as to plug the aperture while the sheath passes through the body passage, the distended portion of the lumen comprising a flexible material; and
an ejector, which is adapted to force the implant in a distal direction, thus ejecting the implant through the aperture and compressing the distended portion of the lumen, so that the implant passes over the lumen to the target position in the body passage.
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35. Apparatus for narrowing a body passage, the apparatus comprising:
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a narrowing implant, which comprises;
first and second ring members, each comprising a resilient framework having a generally cylindrical form;
a tubular sleeve, fixed to the first and second ring members so as to hold the ring members in mutual longitudinal alignment, thereby defining a lumen passing through the ring members; and
a constricting element, which is fit around the sleeve at a location intermediate the first and second ring members so as to reduce a diameter of the lumen at the location; and
catheter for delivering the implant to a target position in the body passage. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38)
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39. A stent for implantation in a lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of struts, with intervening openings therebetween; and
narrow connecting pieces, bridging at least some of the openings so as to interconnect the struts, wherein exertion of a first outward radial force on the struts causes the stent to open to a first diameter by opening the intervening openings between the struts, and wherein the narrow connecting pieces are adapted to break under exertion on the struts of a second outward radial force, greater than the first outward radial force, so that the stent opens to a second diameter, greater than the first diameter.
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40. A method for narrowing a blood vessel, comprising:
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inserting a catheter into the blood vessel;
deploying a clip outward from the catheter so that first and second ends of the clip engage respective first and second points on a wall of the blood vessel; and
ejecting the clip from the catheter after the first and second ends of the clip have engaged the first and second points, thus causing the ends of the clip to draw toward one another and thereby pinching together the first and second points.
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Specification