Medical device that signals lumen loss
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A stent, comprising:
- a structural element; and
a signaling member coupled to the structural element to signal a level of tissue growth on the structural element, where the signaling member includes a conductive pathway having a switch including a flowable filler material, where the switch closes in response to the level of tissue growth to provide a closed loop electrical pathway on the structural element and the switch includes a cover extending from an outer edge of the conductive pathway to an outer edge of the switch defining an area completely enclosed by the cover where the flowable filler material travels through a portion of the area completely enclosed by the cover to contact the conductive pathway forming the closed loop electrical pathway, where the cover prevents any tissue formation in the area completely enclosed by the cover.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention relate to medical devices that provide signals to diagnostic equipment such that functionality of an implantable member can be determined. In particular, various designs and structures are utilized to signal tissue growth on an implantable member such as a stent. The tissue growth can limit flow through the stented lumen. If the growth has a thickness above a certain limit, a signal can be detected by diagnostic equipment such that a proper diagnosis can be made.
-
Citations
21 Claims
-
1. A stent, comprising:
-
a structural element; and a signaling member coupled to the structural element to signal a level of tissue growth on the structural element, where the signaling member includes a conductive pathway having a switch including a flowable filler material, where the switch closes in response to the level of tissue growth to provide a closed loop electrical pathway on the structural element and the switch includes a cover extending from an outer edge of the conductive pathway to an outer edge of the switch defining an area completely enclosed by the cover where the flowable filler material travels through a portion of the area completely enclosed by the cover to contact the conductive pathway forming the closed loop electrical pathway, where the cover prevents any tissue formation in the area completely enclosed by the cover. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A stent, comprising:
a generally tubular structure, where the generally tubular structure includes a conductive pathway having a switch including a flowable filler material, where the switch closes in response to a level of tissue growth to provide a closed loop electrical pathway on the generally tubular structure, and a cover extending from an outer edge of the conductive pathway to an outer edge of the switch to define an area completely enclosed by the cover such that the switch travels through a portion of the area completely enclosed by the cover to form the closed loop electrical pathway, where the cover prevents tissue formation in the area completely enclosed by the cover. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
Specification