Device for regulating the flow of blood through the blood system
First Claim
1. An implantable venous valve prosthesis device for regulating the flow of blood in a blood vessel of a patient, the device comprising:
- a support frame which is configured to be positioned within a vein, wherein the support frame is configured to press outward against inner walls of the vein to hold the prosthesis device in place following implantation; and
at least one collapsible flow restriction pocket attached to the support frame, the flow restriction pocket comprising an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall being displaceable by the flow of blood through the vein such that the collapsible flow restriction pocket assumes a collapsed configuration wherein the inner wall is forced against the outer wall when blood flows through the vein in a forward direction, and assumes an open configuration wherein the inner wall is forced away from the outer wall when blood flows through the vein in a reverse direction;
wherein the flow restriction pocket impedes the flow of blood in the reverse direction when the flow restriction pocket is in the open configuration.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A valve prosthesis is disclosed which is implantable within a vein or other blood vessel of a patient using a minimally-invasive surgical procedure. The prosthesis includes a tubular wire frame which presses radially outward against the inner walls of the blood vessel following implantation to hold the prosthesis in position. Multiple flow-resistive pockets that open and close in response to changes in blood flow direction are attached to the frame to impede the flow of blood in the reverse direction. The prosthesis is implanted using an introducer catheter which holds the prosthesis in a radially-compressed state as the prosthesis is inserted into and positioned within the blood vessel.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. An implantable venous valve prosthesis device for regulating the flow of blood in a blood vessel of a patient, the device comprising:
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a support frame which is configured to be positioned within a vein, wherein the support frame is configured to press outward against inner walls of the vein to hold the prosthesis device in place following implantation; and
at least one collapsible flow restriction pocket attached to the support frame, the flow restriction pocket comprising an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall being displaceable by the flow of blood through the vein such that the collapsible flow restriction pocket assumes a collapsed configuration wherein the inner wall is forced against the outer wall when blood flows through the vein in a forward direction, and assumes an open configuration wherein the inner wall is forced away from the outer wall when blood flows through the vein in a reverse direction;
wherein the flow restriction pocket impedes the flow of blood in the reverse direction when the flow restriction pocket is in the open configuration. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A venous valve prosthesis which is adapted to restore venous valvular function within the vein of a human, the prosthesis comprising:
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a generally tubular support member configured to be inserted within a vein, wherein the support member comprises a wire frame which is rolled upon itself to form the generally tubular configuration; and
at least one flow stoppage member attached to the support member and defining a temporary blood storage area within the support member, the temporary blood storage area having inner and outer walls adapted to open and close in response to changes in a direction of blood flow through the vein. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A venous valve prosthesis system which is adapted to restore venous valvular function within the vein of a human, the prosthesis comprising:
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a generally tubular support member configured to be inserted within a vein;
at least one flow stoppage member attached to the support member and defining a temporary blood storage area within the support member, the temporary blood storage area having inner and outer walls adapted to open and close in response to changes in a direction of blood flow through the vein; and
an introducer for implanting the prosthesis within the vein using a minimally-invasive implantation procedure, the introducer comprising a hollow distal portion which is configured to receive the valve prosthesis in the radially-compressed state, the tubular distal portion configured to be advanced through an opening in the vein to position the prosthesis within the vein. - View Dependent Claims (15)
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Specification