Stentless support structure
First Claim
1. A method of delivering a support structure comprising:
- providing a support structure having two axially-spaced preformed folds;
positioning said support structure within a target location;
folding a portion of said support structure between said preformed folds into itself;
wherein said folding is at least partially effected by acting on a distal portion of said support structure with a pull wire attached to said support structure near a more distal of said preformed folds while pushing on a proximal portion;
releasing said support structure from said pull wire by activating a release mechanism;
retracting said pull wire from within said support structure.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A stentless support structure capable of being at least partly assembled in situ. The support structure comprises a braided tube that is very flexible and, when elongated, becomes very long and very small in diameter, thereby being capable of placement within a small diameter catheter. The support structure is preferably constructed of one or more thin strands of a super-elastic or shape memory material such as Nitinol. When released from the catheter, the support structure folds itself into a longitudinally compact configuration. The support structure thus gains significant strength as the number of folds increase. This radial strength obviates the need for a support stent. The support structure may include attachment points for a prosthetic valve.
17 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of delivering a support structure comprising:
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providing a support structure having two axially-spaced preformed folds; positioning said support structure within a target location; folding a portion of said support structure between said preformed folds into itself; wherein said folding is at least partially effected by acting on a distal portion of said support structure with a pull wire attached to said support structure near a more distal of said preformed folds while pushing on a proximal portion; releasing said support structure from said pull wire by activating a release mechanism; retracting said pull wire from within said support structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A delivery device for an invertible, implantable support structure comprising:
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a delivery catheter configured to contain an invertible, implantable support structure in an unfolded, elongated state; an inversion mechanism passing through said delivery catheter, at least partially through an interior of said invertible, implantable support structure, and releasably connected to said invertible, implantable support structure; wherein said inversion mechanism is usable to initiate inversion of said invertible, implantable support structure during delivery by acting on a distal portion of said invertible, implantable support structure. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for initiating inversion of a support structure comprising:
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pushing at least a distal portion of a support structure having a preformed fold formed therein out of a delivery catheter in an elongated, unfolded state, said distal portion being material at or distal of said preformed fold; acting on said distal portion near said fold with an inversion mechanism in a direction opposite of a direction of said pushing until said support structure folds into itself along said preformed fold; releasing said support structure from said inversion mechanism; and retracting said inversion mechanism through an interior of said support structure. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification