Actively controllable stent, stent graft, heart valve and method of controlling same
First Claim
1. A method for implanting a stent, which comprises:
- contracting a stent to a reduced implantation size with a delivery system having drive wires, the stent having a selectively adjustable assembly with adjustable elements operatively connected to the drive wires such that, when the adjustable elements are adjusted by the drive wires, a configuration change in at least a portion of the stent occurs;
inserting the contracted stent into a native annulus in which the stent is to be implanted;
rotating the drive wires with the delivery system to forcibly expand the stent;
while rotating the drive wires, determining with the delivery system a torque applied to the drive wires;
stopping rotation of the drive wires based upon a value of the determined torque when the stent contacts the native annulus and has a first diameter; and
after the stent contacts the native annulus, repeatedly rotating and stopping rotation of the drive wires to incrementally expand the stent from the first diameter to a second, final diameter.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for implanting a stent includes contracting a self-expanding/forcibly-expanding stent of a shape-memory material set to a given shape to a reduced implantation size with a delivery system having drive wires. The stent has a selectively adjustable assembly with adjustable elements operatively connected to the drive wires such that, when the adjustable elements are adjusted by the drive wires, a configuration change in at least a portion of the self-expanding stent occurs. The contracted stent is inserted into a native annulus in which the stent is to be implanted. The drive wires are rotated with the delivery system to forcibly expand the stent into the native annulus. While rotating the drive wires, a torque applied to the drive wires is determined with the delivery system. Rotation of the drive wires is stopped based upon a value of the determined torque.
392 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for implanting a stent, which comprises:
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contracting a stent to a reduced implantation size with a delivery system having drive wires, the stent having a selectively adjustable assembly with adjustable elements operatively connected to the drive wires such that, when the adjustable elements are adjusted by the drive wires, a configuration change in at least a portion of the stent occurs; inserting the contracted stent into a native annulus in which the stent is to be implanted; rotating the drive wires with the delivery system to forcibly expand the stent; while rotating the drive wires, determining with the delivery system a torque applied to the drive wires; stopping rotation of the drive wires based upon a value of the determined torque when the stent contacts the native annulus and has a first diameter; and after the stent contacts the native annulus, repeatedly rotating and stopping rotation of the drive wires to incrementally expand the stent from the first diameter to a second, final diameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for implanting a stent, which comprises:
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contracting a stent to a reduced implantation size with a delivery system having drive wires, the stent having a selectively adjustable assembly with adjustable elements operatively connected to the drive wires such that, when the adjustable elements are adjusted by the drive wires, a configuration change in at least a portion of the stent occurs; inserting the contracted stent into a native annulus in which the stent is to be implanted; rotating the drive wires with the delivery system to forcibly expand the stent; while rotating the drive wires, determining with the delivery system a torque applied to the drive wires; stopping rotation of the drive wires based upon a first value of the determined torque when the stent contacts the native annulus; and repeatedly rotating and stopping rotation of the drive wires based upon a second of value of the determined torque greater than the first value to incrementally expand the stent after the stent initially contacts the native annulus. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for implanting a stent, which comprises:
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contracting a stent to a reduced implantation size with a delivery system having drive wires, the stent having a selectively adjustable assembly with adjustable elements operatively connected to the drive wires such that, when the adjustable elements are adjusted by the drive wires, a configuration change in at least a portion of the stent occurs; inserting the contracted stent into a native annulus in which the stent is to be implanted; moving the drive wires with the delivery system to forcibly expand the stent; while moving the drive wires, determining with the delivery system a torque applied to the drive wires; and temporarily stopping movement of the drive wires based upon a first value of the determined torque when the stent contacts the native annulus; and after the stent contacts the native annulus, repeatedly moving and stopping the drive wires based upon a second value of the determined torque greater than the first value to incrementally expand the stent. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification