Radially expandable body implantable device
First Claim
1. A body implantable device, including:
- a flexible member of open weave construction, having a first end and a second end, and elastically compressible into a radially compressed state in which the flexible member has a first diameter substantially over its entire length; and
a substantially rigid retaining element secured to the flexible member proximate the second end, for maintaining the flexible member in the radially compressed state along a second region that includes the second end, while allowing a remainder of the flexible member to radially self-expand under an elastic restoring force, thereby to define along the flexible member a first region including the first end, the second region, and an intermediate region between the first region and the second region;
wherein the flexible member is adapted for positioning within a body cavity at a predetermined location through the radial self-expansion of the first region into an engagement with a wall segment of the body cavity, with the intermediate region allowing the passage of fluid through the body cavity due to its open weave construction.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An open weave fixation device is secured to a distal end region of a catheter or other diagnostic or treatment device, for either temporarily or permanently fixing the device within a body cavity. In one approach, the fixation element is constructed of braided, helically wound filaments of resilient stainless steel. A sheath surrounds the catheter and fixation element to elastically deform the element into a reduced radius configuration to facilitate insertion and deployment. With the fixation element positioned as desired, the sheath is withdrawn to permit the fixation element to self-expand against body tissue, thus to secure the fixation element and catheter. In all alternative arrangement, a dilatation balloon surrounds a catheter near its distal end, and in turn is surrounded by a plastically deformable fixation element. Following desired positioning, the balloon is dilated to permanently deform the fixation element into contact with body tissue. In either case, the fixation element can be mounted at its distal end, its proximal end or medially, depending upon the particular treatment and the expected duration of fixation. Another approach employs a recovery metal in the fixation element.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A body implantable device, including:
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a flexible member of open weave construction, having a first end and a second end, and elastically compressible into a radially compressed state in which the flexible member has a first diameter substantially over its entire length; and a substantially rigid retaining element secured to the flexible member proximate the second end, for maintaining the flexible member in the radially compressed state along a second region that includes the second end, while allowing a remainder of the flexible member to radially self-expand under an elastic restoring force, thereby to define along the flexible member a first region including the first end, the second region, and an intermediate region between the first region and the second region; wherein the flexible member is adapted for positioning within a body cavity at a predetermined location through the radial self-expansion of the first region into an engagement with a wall segment of the body cavity, with the intermediate region allowing the passage of fluid through the body cavity due to its open weave construction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus for fixation in a body cavity, including:
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a flexible member of open weave construction, having a first end and a second end, and elastically compressible into a radially compressed state in which the flexible member over substantially its entire length has a first diameter; a substantially rigid retaining element secured to the flexible member proximate the second end, for maintaining the flexible member at said first diameter along a second region that includes the second end, while permitting a remainder of the flexible member to radially self-expand responsive to an elastic restoring force, thereby to define along the flexible member a first region including the first end, the second region, and an intermediate region between the first region and the second region; and a deployment means operatively associated with the flexible member for delivering the flexible member in the radially compressed state to selectively position the flexible member at a predetermined location within a body cavity, said deployment means including a restraining means for elastically deforming the flexible member into the radially compressed state and cooperating with the retaining element to maintain the flexible member in the radially compressed state against the elastic restoring force, said restraining means being controllable to allow a radial self-expansion of the first region of the flexible member into a surface engagement with a wall segment of the body cavity at the predetermined location, with the retaining element maintaining the second region at the first diameter; and wherein the intermediate region of the flexible member allows passage of fluid through the body cavity due to its open weave construction. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification