TUBE WITH REVERSE NECKING PROPERTIES

• US 20130150949A1
• Filed: 02/06/2013
• Published: 06/13/2013
• 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.
• Granted Patent: US 9,114,037 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 is at a first wrap angle, and a second helical component 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 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. The tubular structure of claim 1 wherein the structure is formed from at least two helical tape components each applied in the same relative direction around the structure but oriented at different angles relative to each other.

10. The tubular structure of claim 9 wherein when axial force is applied to the tubular structure the relative angle between the tape components increases to form the enlarged second diameter.

11. A tubular structure having a longitudinal axis comprising

a wrap of at least one component at a first wrap angle of x, and a wrap of at least one component at a second wrap angle of y, with both wraps being in the same relative direction;

x and y both formed at an angle of about 0 to 90 degrees relative to the axis of the tubular structure;

x being an angle different from y, and x and y oriented at an acute included angle with respect to each other;

wherein when axial force is applied to the tubular structure, both x and y decreases relative to the longitudinal axis, and the acute included angle between x and y increases.

12. The tubular structure of claim 11 wherein

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

and

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.

13. The tubular structure of claim 11 wherein the tubular structure comprises a sheath containing a self-expanding device.

14. The tubular structure of claim 13 wherein the self-expanding device comprises an implantable medical device.

15. The tubular structure of claim 14 wherein the implantable medical device comprises a stent.

16. The tubular structure of claim 11 wherein the tubular structure comprises a manufacturing aid used in conjunction with a mandrel.

17. The tubular structure of claim 12 wherein the second diameter is at least 5 percent larger than the first diameter.

18. The tubular structure of claim 12 wherein the second diameter is at least 10 percent larger than the first diameter.

19. The tubular structure of claim 12 wherein the second diameter is at least 15 percent larger than the first diameter.

20. 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 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 increased to form the enlarged second diameter.

21. The tubular structure of claim 20 wherein the second diameter is at least 10 percent larger than the first diameter.

22. A tubular device comprising

a tubular structure having at least one helically-oriented element and a diameter;

wherein application of axial force to the tubular device causes the helically-oriented element to at least partially unwind, increasing the diameter of the tubular device.

23. The tubular structure of claim 22 wherein the increased diameter following application of the axial force is at least 10 percent larger than the diameter prior to application of the axial force.