Stentless support structure
First Claim
1. A stentless support structure comprising:
- a strand braided to form a tubular structure having an unfolded delivery configuration and a folded delivered configuration;
whereby in the unfolded delivery configuration, the tubular structure includes;
a first end and a second end;
an elongate tubular body between the first end and the second end;
whereby in the folded delivered configuration, the tubular structure includes;
at least one circumferential fold in the elongate tubular body reducing a length of the tubular structure and creating a tubular section of the body having at least twice as many layers as the elongate tubular body in the unfolded delivery configuration.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A stentless support structure comprising:
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a strand braided to form a tubular structure having an unfolded delivery configuration and a folded delivered configuration; whereby in the unfolded delivery configuration, the tubular structure includes; a first end and a second end; an elongate tubular body between the first end and the second end; whereby in the folded delivered configuration, the tubular structure includes; at least one circumferential fold in the elongate tubular body reducing a length of the tubular structure and creating a tubular section of the body having at least twice as many layers as the elongate tubular body in the unfolded delivery configuration.
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2. A prosthetic valve assembly comprising:
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a tube having a elongated configuration and a folded configuration; a wireform defining a plurality of commissural points, said wireform having a distal end; a valve attached to said wireform; wherein in the elongated configuration, said distal end of said wireform is connected to a proximal end of said tube such that said wireform is longitudinally adjacent to said tube; and
,wherein in the folded configuration, said proximal end of said tube folds inwardly such that said wireform is at least partly contained within an interior of said tube. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A prosthetic valve assembly comprising:
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a tube having a elongated configuration and a folded configuration; an annular wireform defining a plurality of commissural points, an end of the wireform being connected to an end of the tube; a valve attached to said wireform; wherein in the elongated configuration, said wireform is substantially outside of said tube; and
,wherein in the folded configuration, said wireform is at least partly contained within an interior of said tube. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification