Stentless support structure
First Claim
1. A stentless support structure comprising:
- at least one strand braided to form a tubular structure having a first configuration and a second configuration;
whereby in the first configuration, the tubular structure includes;
an elongate body;
at least one unfolded preformed fold in the elongate body dividing the elongate body into at least a first portion and a second portion;
whereby in the second configuration, the at least one preformed fold is folded, causing the second portion to invert into the first portion, thereby creating a section of the body having more than one ply.
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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.
60 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A stentless support structure comprising:
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at least one strand braided to form a tubular structure having a first configuration and a second configuration; whereby in the first configuration, the tubular structure includes; an elongate body; at least one unfolded preformed fold in the elongate body dividing the elongate body into at least a first portion and a second portion; whereby in the second configuration, the at least one preformed fold is folded, causing the second portion to invert into the first portion, thereby creating a section of the body having more than one ply. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A stentless support structure comprising:
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a strand braided to form a tubular structure having a first configuration and a second configuration; whereby in the first 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 second configuration, the tubular structure includes; at least one fold that causes one portion of the elongate body to invert into another portion of the elongate body, thereby shortening the body and creating a section of the body having at least twice as many ply as the elongate body in the extended configuration.
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Specification