Stent for maintaining patency of a body region
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for maintaining patency of a pharyngeal region of a human or animal body, the apparatus comprising:
- an appliance comprising a body portion and end portions spaced apart by the body portion, the body portion and the end portions together define an interior open space,the appliance being structured and sized to take on a deployed configuration when located within the pharyngeal region, such that (a) the interior open space remains open, (b) the end portions are spaced apart from each other by other than the body portion, the end portions overlap each other, or the end portions directly contact each other, and (c) the appliance exerts a force on the pharyngeal region to maintain the region substantially open or unobstructed, or to cause the region to be maintained substantially open or unobstructed.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for maintaining patency of a vessel or other body region is provided. The apparatus includes an appliance having a non-circumferential form and being effective in maintaining patency or openness, or causing to become patent or open, a body region in which the appliance is located. The appliance may be formed of a flexible metallic struts structured to be submucossally implanted into a wall of the vessel or other body region.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An apparatus for maintaining patency of a pharyngeal region of a human or animal body, the apparatus comprising:
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an appliance comprising a body portion and end portions spaced apart by the body portion, the body portion and the end portions together define an interior open space, the appliance being structured and sized to take on a deployed configuration when located within the pharyngeal region, such that (a) the interior open space remains open, (b) the end portions are spaced apart from each other by other than the body portion, the end portions overlap each other, or the end portions directly contact each other, and (c) the appliance exerts a force on the pharyngeal region to maintain the region substantially open or unobstructed, or to cause the region to be maintained substantially open or unobstructed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 20)
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13. A method for maintaining patency of or for causing to become patent, open or unobstructed, a pharyngeal region of a human or an animal, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a flat or pre-curved member having a body portion and end portions spaced apart by the body portion, the body portion and the end portions together defining an interior open space; pulling end portions of the flat or pre-curved member together to form a folded configuration; holding or temporarily securing the end portions together; placing the member, in the folded configuration, into a pharyngeal region to be treated; and releasing the end portions from being held or secured together, thereby allowing the member to expand within the pharyngeal region so that the interior open space remains open. - View Dependent Claims (14, 18)
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15. A method for maintaining patency of or for causing to become patent, open or unobstructed, a pharyngeal region of a human or animal, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an elongated member having a desired stiffness and resiliency, the elongated member comprising a body portion and end portions spaced apart by the body portion, the body portion and the end portions together defining an interior open space; and implanting the elongated member submucosally into walls of the pharyngeal region in alignment with a longitudinal axis so that the interior open space remains open. - View Dependent Claims (16, 19, 21)
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22. A method for maintaining patency of or for causing to become patent, open or unobstructed, a pharyngeal region of a human or animal, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing an elongated member having a desired stiffness and resiliency, the elongated member comprising a body portion and end portions spaced apart from the body portion, the body portion and the end portions together defining an interior open space; introducing the elongated member into the pharyngeal region; and pulling the elongated member into the mucosal layer with a needle to at least partially implant the elongated member submucosally into walls of the pharyngeal region. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
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Specification