# US 10,500,029 B2 · Expandable mesh with locking feature > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,500,029 B2 - Document ID: US10500029B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/748,992 - Filed: 2015-06-24 - Published: 2015-12-31 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2014-06-30 - Assignees: Cook Medical Technologies LLC - Applicants: Cook Medical Technologies LLC - Inventors: Tyler E. McLawhorn; John C. Sigmon, Jr. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10500029B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/0063: {Implantable repair or support meshes, e.g. hernia meshes} - A61B 17/0057: {Implements for plugging an opening in the wall of a hollow or tubular organ, e.g. for sealing a vessel puncture or closing a cardiac septal defect (sutures A61B17/04; closing rectum or urethra near body surface A61F2/0009)} - B23P 19/00: Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformation {(connecting metal parts or objects by metal-working procedures B21J, B23K)}; Tools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes (hand tools in general B25) - A61B 2017/00407: {Ratchet means} - A61B 2017/00526: {Methods of manufacturing} - A61B 2017/00592: {Elastic or resilient implements} - A61B 2017/00619: {Locking means for locking the implement in expanded state} - A61B 2017/00659: {located only on one side of the opening} - A61B 2017/00876: {magnetic} - A61F 2002/0068: {having a special mesh pattern} - A61F 2220/0033: made by longitudinally pushing a protrusion into a complementary-shaped recess, e.g. held by friction fit - A61F 2220/0075: sutured, ligatured or stitched, retained or tied with a rope, string, thread, wire or cable - A61F 2230/0067: conical - A61F 2230/0069: cylindrical - A61F 2240/001: Designing or manufacturing processes - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) ## Abstract The present embodiments provide an expandable mesh comprising a first coupling element, a second coupling element, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first coupling element and the second coupling element. Proximal retraction of the first coupling element relative to the second coupling element causes the intermediate portion to flare out to an enlarged width. In one embodiment, the first coupling element comprises a first tube and the second coupling element comprises a second tube. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for deploying an expandable mesh, comprising: an insertion tool; an expandable mesh comprising a first coupling element, a second coupling element, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first coupling element and the second coupling element, wherein the expandable mesh comprises first and second ends, and further has a first state in which the first end is positioned proximal to the second end, and an everted second state during delivery within the insertion tool in which the second end is positioned proximal to the first end, wherein proximal retraction of the first coupling element relative to the second coupling element causes the intermediate portion to flare out to an enlarged width, wherein there is an interference fit between the first and second coupling elements upon the proximal retraction of the first coupling element relative to the second coupling element, wherein, during the interference fit, a proximal end of the first coupling element is distal to a proximal end of the second coupling element, and wherein the first state occurs before the second state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first coupling element comprises a first tube, and wherein the second coupling element comprises a second tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the first tube, the second tube, and the intermediate portion each originate from the same mesh material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein the intermediate portion comprises untreated mesh material, and wherein the first and second tubes are formed from treating the mesh material in a manner that maintains a tubular shape of the first and second tubes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first tube or the second tube is formed by melting or heat-shrinking the mesh material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein the expandable mesh comprises a delivery state in which the first and second tubes lack an axial overlap, and further comprises an expanded state in which the first and second tubes at least partially axially overlap. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein a distal end of the first tube transitions into a first end of the intermediate portion, and a second end of the intermediate portion transitions into a distal end of second tube. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein one of first and second tubes comprises a constant diameter along its length, while the other of the first and second tubes comprises a tapered shape. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein both the first and second tubes comprise tapered shapes, wherein the first tube is dimensioned to be disposed at least partially within the second tube when the first tube is proximally retracted relative to the second tube. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a first tether secured to the first coupling element, wherein proximal retraction of the first tether causes proximal retraction of the first coupling element relative to the second coupling element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first end is disposed within the intermediate portion in the everted second state during delivery within the insertion tool. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein eversion occurs before formation of the second coupling element.