Correction of incompetent venous valves
First Claim
1. A venous valve competence-restoring cuff, said cuff comprising an elongated band, having one end and opposite overlapping end portions, of biocompatible implantable material, said material having an elasticity such that it is not stretchable at blood flow pressures, the band having a length to encompass the vein at the site of the venous valve, with said end portions of the band overlapping, the end portions being joinable together to form a cuff of desired circumference small enough to restore competence yet not too tight to decrease blood flow, and further including loop means adjacent said end portion of the band to which said overlapping end portion of the band is joined.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cuff for restoring competence to an incompetent venous valve consists of a band of biocompatible implantable material that is not stretchable at blood flow pressures. The band is of sufficient length to encompass the vein at the site of the venous valve with the ends of the band overlapping. In one form of attachment, the end 22 passes over the loop 23 and is stapled thereto. The cuff can be attached to an applicator by means of the loop 23. A portion 26 of reduced thickness extends from the bottom face of the band to reduce any inner surface discontinuities with respect to the wall of the vein.
The cuff is placed around the vein at the site of the valve and the circumference of the cuff (and hence the diameter of the vein at the valve site) is reduced until competency of the valve in the vein is restored.
-
Citations
14 Claims
- 1. A venous valve competence-restoring cuff, said cuff comprising an elongated band, having one end and opposite overlapping end portions, of biocompatible implantable material, said material having an elasticity such that it is not stretchable at blood flow pressures, the band having a length to encompass the vein at the site of the venous valve, with said end portions of the band overlapping, the end portions being joinable together to form a cuff of desired circumference small enough to restore competence yet not too tight to decrease blood flow, and further including loop means adjacent said end portion of the band to which said overlapping end portion of the band is joined.
-
2. A venous valve competence-restoring cuff, said cuff comprising an elongated band, having one end and opposite overlapping end portions, of biocompatible implantable material, said material having an elasticity such that it is not stretchable at blood flow pressures, the band having a length to encompass the vein at the site of the venous valve, with said end portions of the band overlapping, and means for securing the end portions together to form a cuff of desired circumference small enough to restore competence yet not too tight to decrease blood flow and further including loop means adjacent said end portion of the band to which said overlapping end portion of the band is joined.
Specification