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Self-expanding prosthesis

  • US 5,061,275 A
  • Filed: 12/29/1989
  • Issued: 10/29/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1986
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A resilient, elastic self-expanding prosthesis comprising a flexible tubular body defining a diameter and terminating at opposite ends, the diametr of which is variable under axial movement of ends of the body relative to each other, said body comprising of several individual resiliently flexible thread elements with spring properties each of which extends in helix configuration relative to a center line of the body as a common axis, a plurality of said thread elements having a common direction of winding but being axially displaced relative to each other and crossing a further plurality of said thread elements also axially displaced relative to each other but having a common opposite direction of winding to form a braided structure, the crossing of the elements occurring at an area of contact between the elements, wherein tension of the thread elements as they form the structural elements of the tubular body, at least at end sections thereof, is such that the diameter of the individual unloaded helix-shaped thread element is not more then about 60% greater than the diameter of said body in an unloaded state, whereby the body at the ends thereof in an unloaded condition is conically widened up to a diameter about 20% greater than the diameter of a main portion of the body.

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