Devices For Introduction Into A Body Via A Substantially Straight Conduit To Form A Predefined Curved Configuration, And Methods Employing Same
First Claim
1. A device for introduction into a body via a substantially straight conduit, the device assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, the device comprising:
- an elongated element formed primarily from a plurality of segments sequentially interconnected so as to form an effective hinge between adjacent of the segments, the segments and the effective hinges being configured such that;
(a) when the elongated element is confined to a substantially straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed so as to advance through the substantially straight conduit; and
(b) when the elongated element is not confined to a substantially straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until at least one abutment surface of each of the segments comes into abutment with at least one corresponding abutment surface of each adjacent segment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element, the fully flexed state corresponding to a predefined curved configuration of the elongated element.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A device for introduction into a body in a straight configuration and assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, includes an elongated element formed from a number of segments interconnected so as to form effective hinges therebetween. When the elongated element is confined to a straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed to advance it through a conduit. When the elongated element is not confined to a straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until abutment surfaces of the segments come into abutment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element with a predefined curved configuration. The device can be produced with a wide range of two-dimensional and three-dimensional curved forms, and has both medical and non-medical applications.
-
Citations
40 Claims
-
1. A device for introduction into a body via a substantially straight conduit, the device assuming within the body a predefined curved configuration, the device comprising:
-
an elongated element formed primarily from a plurality of segments sequentially interconnected so as to form an effective hinge between adjacent of the segments, the segments and the effective hinges being configured such that; (a) when the elongated element is confined to a substantially straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed so as to advance through the substantially straight conduit; and (b) when the elongated element is not confined to a substantially straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until at least one abutment surface of each of the segments comes into abutment with at least one corresponding abutment surface of each adjacent segment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element, the fully flexed state corresponding to a predefined curved configuration of the elongated element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A method for deploying a predefined curved configuration of a device within a body comprising the steps of:
-
(a) providing an elongated element formed primarily from a plurality of segments sequentially interconnected so as to form an effective hinge between adjacent of the segments, the segments and the effective hinges being configured such that; (i) when the elongated element is confined to a substantially straight state, the effective hinges transfer compressive forces from each segment to the next so that the elongated element can be pushed so as to advance through the substantially straight conduit; and (ii) when the elongated element is not confined to a substantially straight state, the effective hinges allow deflection of each segment relative to adjacent segments until at least one abutment surface of each of the segments comes into abutment with at least one corresponding abutment surface of each adjacent segment, thereby defining a fully flexed state of the elongated element, the fully flexed state corresponding to a predefined curved configuration of the elongated element (b) introducing the elongated element into the body along a substantially straight conduit so as to confine the elongated element to the substantially straight state; and (c) causing the elongated element to assume the predefined curved configuration within the body. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
-
Specification