Intralumenally-implantable frames
First Claim
1. A method of intraluminally supporting a body vessel comprising the steps of:
- inserting an implantable frame into the body vessel in a radially compressed state, translating the implantable frame to a point in the body vessel and expanding the implantable frame within the body vessel to an expanded state, the implantable frame in the expanded state defining a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the implantable frame having a substantially cylindrical exterior surface area with a plurality of openings, the implantable frame moveable between a compressed state and an expanded state, the implantable frame in the expanded state comprising;
a plurality of longitudinally-spaced hoop members comprising a first hoop member and a second hoop member axially adjacent to the first hoop member, wherein the first and second hoop members comprise a plurality of interconnected struts and bends arranged in an undulating shape; and
a plurality of (n) longitudinal connecting members joining the first hoop member to the second hoop member, the plurality of (n) longitudinal connecting members comprising a first longitudinal connecting member closely-spaced with respect to a separate second longitudinal connecting member such that an angle less than (2π
/n) radians is subtended by a hypothetical arc extending circumferentially along the exterior surface area of the implantable frame between a first radius extending from the longitudinal axis to the first longitudinal connecting member and a second radius extending from the longitudinal axis to the second longitudinal connecting member, where (n) is an integer equal to 2 or greater, the first and second longitudinal connecting members being disposed parallel to each other and extending across an entire space separating the first and second hoop members, wherein the first closely spaced longitudinal connecting member has a first end attached to an apex of a bend connecting circumferentially adjacent struts of the first hoop member, and the second closely spaced longitudinal connecting member has a first end attached to the same apex of the same bend connecting circumferentially adjacent struts of the first hoop member.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Implantable frames for use in body passages are provided herein. The implantable frames can include a plurality of hoop members joined by a plurality of longitudinal connecting members to form a tubular frame defining a cylindrical lumen. The plurality of longitudinal connecting members may include one or more pairs of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the implantable frame. The circumferential distance between the closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members preferably subtends an angle less than (2π/n) radians, where (n) is an integer equal to the total number of longitudinal connecting members connecting two longitudinally adjacent hoop members.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of intraluminally supporting a body vessel comprising the steps of:
- inserting an implantable frame into the body vessel in a radially compressed state, translating the implantable frame to a point in the body vessel and expanding the implantable frame within the body vessel to an expanded state, the implantable frame in the expanded state defining a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the implantable frame having a substantially cylindrical exterior surface area with a plurality of openings, the implantable frame moveable between a compressed state and an expanded state, the implantable frame in the expanded state comprising;
a plurality of longitudinally-spaced hoop members comprising a first hoop member and a second hoop member axially adjacent to the first hoop member, wherein the first and second hoop members comprise a plurality of interconnected struts and bends arranged in an undulating shape; and a plurality of (n) longitudinal connecting members joining the first hoop member to the second hoop member, the plurality of (n) longitudinal connecting members comprising a first longitudinal connecting member closely-spaced with respect to a separate second longitudinal connecting member such that an angle less than (2π
/n) radians is subtended by a hypothetical arc extending circumferentially along the exterior surface area of the implantable frame between a first radius extending from the longitudinal axis to the first longitudinal connecting member and a second radius extending from the longitudinal axis to the second longitudinal connecting member, where (n) is an integer equal to 2 or greater, the first and second longitudinal connecting members being disposed parallel to each other and extending across an entire space separating the first and second hoop members, wherein the first closely spaced longitudinal connecting member has a first end attached to an apex of a bend connecting circumferentially adjacent struts of the first hoop member, and the second closely spaced longitudinal connecting member has a first end attached to the same apex of the same bend connecting circumferentially adjacent struts of the first hoop member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- inserting an implantable frame into the body vessel in a radially compressed state, translating the implantable frame to a point in the body vessel and expanding the implantable frame within the body vessel to an expanded state, the implantable frame in the expanded state defining a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the implantable frame having a substantially cylindrical exterior surface area with a plurality of openings, the implantable frame moveable between a compressed state and an expanded state, the implantable frame in the expanded state comprising;
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19. A method of intraluminally supporting a body vessel comprising the steps of:
- inserting an implantable frame into the body vessel in a radially compressed state, translating the implantable frame to a point within a vein and expanding the implantable frame within the vein to an expanded state, the implantable frame defining a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the implantable frame having a substantially cylindrical exterior surface area with a plurality of openings, the implantable frame moveable between a compressed state and an expanded state, the implantable frame comprising;
a first undulating hoop member and a second undulating hoop member axially adjacent to the first undulating hoop member, the first and second hoop members comprising a plurality of interconnected struts and bends arranged in an undulating shape; and
a plurality of (n) longitudinal connecting members joining the first undulating hoop member to the second undulating hoop member, the plurality of (n) longitudinal connecting members comprising a first longitudinal connecting member closely spaced with respect to a separate second longitudinal connecting member such that an angle less than (2π
/n) radians is subtended by a hypothetical arc extending circumferentially along the exterior surface area of the implantable frame between a first radius extending from the longitudinal axis to the first longitudinal connecting member and a second radius extending from the longitudinal axis to the second longitudinal connecting member, where (n) is an integer equal to 4-12, the first and second longitudinal connecting members being disposed parallel to each other and extending across an entire space separating the first and second hoop members, wherein the first closely spaced longitudinal connecting member has a first end attached to an apex of a bend connecting circumferentially adjacent struts of the first hoop member, and the second closely spaced longitudinal connecting member has a first end attached to the same apex of the same bend connecting circumferentially adjacent struts of the first hoop member. - View Dependent Claims (20)
- inserting an implantable frame into the body vessel in a radially compressed state, translating the implantable frame to a point within a vein and expanding the implantable frame within the vein to an expanded state, the implantable frame defining a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the implantable frame having a substantially cylindrical exterior surface area with a plurality of openings, the implantable frame moveable between a compressed state and an expanded state, the implantable frame comprising;
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21. A method of implanting a medical device within a body vessel comprising the steps of:
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a. providing an implantable frame in a radially compressed configuration, the implantable frame defining a cylindrical lumen centered around a longitudinal axis, the implantable frame comprising a first hoop member joined to a second hoop member longitudinally adjacent to the first hoop member by a plurality of (n) longitudinal connecting members, the first and second hoop members comprising a plurality of interconnected struts and bends arranged in an undulating shape, wherein the plurality of longitudinal connecting members are oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and comprising a first longitudinal connecting member closely spaced with respect to a separate second longitudinal connecting member, such that an angle less than (2π
/n) radians is subtended by a hypothetical arc extending circumferentially along the exterior surface area of the implantable frame between a first radius extending from the longitudinal axis to the first longitudinal connecting member and a second radius extending from the longitudinal axis to the second longitudinal connecting member, where (n) is an integer equal to 2 or greater, the first and second longitudinal connecting members being disposed parallel to each other and extending across an entire space separating the first and second hoop members, wherein the first closely spaced longitudinal connecting member has a first end attached to an apex of a bend connecting circumferentially adjacent struts of the first hoop member, and the second closely spaced longitudinal connecting member has a first end attached to the same apex of the same bend connecting circumferentially adjacent struts of the first hoop member;b. placing the radially compressed implantable frame within a vein; and c. expanding the implantable frame within the vein to place the implantable frame at a point of treatment within the vein. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification