Tube with reverse necking properties

• US 8,435,282 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2009
• Issued: 05/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates (W.L. Gore & Associates)
• Original Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates (W.L. Gore & Associates)
• Inventors: Silverman, James D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Victor
• Application Number:
  US12/503,785
• Publication Number:
  US 20110015716A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,392 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.11, 623/1.12, 623/1.13, 623/1.15, 623/1.23, 606/108
• US Class Current: 623/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/82 Devices providing patency to, or preventing collapsing of, tubular structures of the body, e.g. stents stent-grafts for tubular structures of the body other than blood vessels A61F2/04; stent-grafts for blood vessels A61F2/07; instruments specially adapted for placement or removal of stents or stent-grafts A61F2/95; for closing wounds, or holding wounds closed A61B17/04 - A61B17/115; dilators A61M29/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/90 characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/962 having an outer sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0076 multilayered, e.g. laminated structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2025/0024 Expandable catheters or sheaths

Abstract

An improved tubular structure adapted to increase in diameter upon application of axial force is provided. Increase in diameter is achieved by constructing the tube from multiple layers of material that move relative to each other during axial elongation of the tube. The tube of the present invention can be used both to avoid problems in “necking” found in many prior tube devices, and to provide additional benefits that increases in diameter of the tube during axial elongation can provide. As such, the tube of the present invention may be useful as a manufacturing aid, as a deployment sheath (for example, to deliver medical devices), and in other applications that may benefit from easier tubular sheath removal.

Claims

1. A tubular structure comprising

a first helical component wrap is at a first wrap angel, and a second helical component wrap is at a second wrap angle;

the tubular structure having a first diameter and a first axial length;

wherein when the tubular structure is increased from the first axial length to an elongated second axial length, the first diameter increases to an enlarged second diameter;

wherein the tubular structure is formed from at least two helical components wrap each applied in the same relative direction around the tubular structure but oriented at different angles relative to each other;

wherein when axial force is applied to the tubular structure the relative angle between the helical components wrap increased to form the enlarged second diameter.

2. The tubular structure of claim 1 wherein the tubular structure comprises a sheath containing a self-expanding device.

3. The tubular structure of claim 2 wherein the self-expanding device comprises an implantable medical device.

4. The tubular structure of claim 3 wherein the implantable medical device comprises a stent.

5. The tubular structure of claim 1 wherein the tubular structure comprises a manufacturing aid used in conjunction with a mandrel.

6. The tubular structure of claim 1 wherein the second diameter is at least 5 percent larger than the first diameter.

7. The tubular structure of claim 1 wherein the second diameter is at least 10 percent larger than the first diameter.

8. The tubular structure of claim 1 wherein the second diameter is at least 15 percent larger than the first diameter.

9. A tubular structure comprising

a first axial length and a first diameter;

wherein under tension an off-axis strain is formed in the tubular structure; and

wherein when tension is applied, the tubular structure assumes a second elongated axial length and an enlarged second diameter;

wherein the tubular structure is formed from at least two helical components wrap each applied in the same relative direction around the tubular structure but oriented at different angles relative to each other;

wherein when axial force is applied to the tubular structure the relative angle between the helical components wrap increased to form the enlarged second diameter.

10. The tubular structure of claim 9 wherein the second diameter is at least 10 percent larger than the first diameter.