Device for regulating blood flow

• US 20070276467A1
• Filed: 05/10/2007
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Deep Vein Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Deep Vein Medical, Inc.
• Inventors: Kalmann, Menno
• Application Number:
  US11/801,489
• Publication Number:
  US 20070276467A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.240
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2418 Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/2475 Venous valves
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0008 elliptical or oval

Abstract

An elongated frame dimensioned and configured for implantation in a blood vessel. The frame has two axially spaced apart ring portions, which may be in the form of an expandable crown or a similar structure. At least one linking member connects the two ring portions to one another to form an integral structure. A valve membrane is supported between the axially spaced apart ring portions of the frame. The valve membrane is adapted and configured for movement between a first position in which blood flow through the frame is permitted and a second position in which blood flow through the frame is inhibited.

Claims

1. An implantable device for regulating blood flow through a blood vessel, comprising:

a) an elongated frame dimensioned and configured to be implanted in a blood vessel, the frame including axially spaced apart ring portions, and at least one linking member connecting the axially spaced apart ring portions to one another; and

b) a valve membrane supported between the axially spaced apart ring portions of the frame and adapted for movement between a first position in which blood flow through the frame is permitted and a second position in which blood flow through the frame is inhibited.

2. An implantable device as recited in claim 1, wherein the frame includes a plurality of peripherally spaced apart linking members.

3. An implantable device as recited in claim 1, wherein the frame is formed at least in part from a shape memory alloy material.

4. An implantable device as recited in claim 1, wherein the valve membrane is formed at least in part from PTFE.

5. An implantable device as recited in claim 1, wherein the valve membrane is coated at least in part with an anti-clotting agent.

6. An implantable device for regulating blood flow through a blood vessel, comprising:

a) an elongated frame dimensioned and configured to be implanted in a blood vessel, the frame including first and second axially spaced apart frame portions; and

b) a valve membrane supported between the axially spaced apart frame portions and adapted for movement between a first position in which blood flow through the frame is permitted and a second position in which blood flow through the frame is inhibited, the membrane including a first body portion and a second narrower neck portion, the first body portion attached to the first frame portion and the second neck portion attached to the second frame portion.

7. The implantable device of claim 6, wherein the narrower neck portion has a length at least equal to the radius of the second frame portion.

8. The implantable device of claim 6, wherein the first and second frame portions are joined by a linking member, the linking member extending from opposing sides of the frame portions.

9. The implantable device of claim 6, wherein the first and second frame portions are joined by a curved linking member.

10. The implantable device of claim 6, wherein the first and second frame portions each comprise ring-like members.

11. The implantable device of claim 10, wherein each of the rings has a wavy configuration.

12. The implantable device of claim 6, wherein the body portion and the neck portion of the membrane are attached to their respective frame portions approximately 180 degrees apart.

13. An implantable device for regulating blood flow through a blood vessel, comprising:

a) an elongated frame dimensioned and configured to be implanted in a blood vessel, the frame including first and second axially spaced apart frame portions; and

b) a valve membrane supported between the axially spaced apart frame portions and adapted for movement between a first position in which blood flow through the frame is permitted and a second position in which blood flow through the frame is inhibited, the membrane having a curved surface, the membrane further having first and second attachment regions attached to the first frame portion and a third attachment region attached to the second frame portion.

14. The implantable device of claim 13, wherein the first frame portion and second frame portion are positioned at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the vessel.

15. The implantable device of claim 13, wherein the frame includes a linking member joining the first and second frame portions.

16. The implantable device of claim 15, wherein the first frame portion is positioned at an angle to the linking member.

17. The implantable device of claim 16, wherein the second frame portion is positioned at an angle to the linking member, both the first and second frame portion angles being obtuse angles.