System of stepped flow rate regulation using compressible members
First Claim
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1. A device comprising:
- a vessel lumen for transporting a flow material in a flow direction; and
a plurality of compressible members, each including an opening through which flow material flows, the compressible members being disposed along the vessel lumen for restricting the flow rate of a flow material flowing through the vessel lumen;
wherein the opening of each compressible member along the flow direction has a larger total surface area than the total surface area of the at least one opening of the prior compressible members along the flow direction; and
wherein the opening expands to a larger total surface area as a function of an increase of the flow material pressure.
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Abstract
A series of compressible members disposed with a vessel lumen designed to produce a flow rate that increases with respect to an increasing flow material pressure with the rate of increase having a stepped behavior. The first compressible member is designed so as to partially restrict flow so as to allow for only moderate increases in flow rate with respect to flow material pressure. Subsequent compressible members are designed to allow for increases in flow rate greater than the moderate rate of increase when the flow material pressure is above a given flow material pressure.
155 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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a vessel lumen for transporting a flow material in a flow direction; and a plurality of compressible members, each including an opening through which flow material flows, the compressible members being disposed along the vessel lumen for restricting the flow rate of a flow material flowing through the vessel lumen; wherein the opening of each compressible member along the flow direction has a larger total surface area than the total surface area of the at least one opening of the prior compressible members along the flow direction; and wherein the opening expands to a larger total surface area as a function of an increase of the flow material pressure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method comprising:
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providing a vessel lumen for transporting a flow material in a flow direction; and providing a plurality of compressible members, each including an opening through which flow material flows, the compressible members being disposed along the vessel lumen for restricting the flow rate of a flow material flowing through the vessel lumen; wherein the opening of each compressible member along the flow direction includes a larger total surface area than the total surface area of the opening of the prior compressible members along the flow direction; and wherein the opening expands to a larger total surface area as a function of an increase of the flow material pressure. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification