Expandable device for implantation in body space
OwnerJoshua Ammermaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An expandable device for implantation in a body space, including an outer frame, and an inner frame slidably engaged with the outer frame. The inner frame includes a tapered wall surface. A ratchet is provided for maintaining an expansion state of the device after moving the inner frame relatively away from the outer frame so as to increase an overall size of the device, while the inner frame maintains engagement with the outer frame. The inner frame is configured to expand with respect to the outer frame in a direction perpendicular to a direction of insertion of the device into the body space.
Claims15
An expandable device for implantation in a body space, comprising:
- an outer frame;
- an inner frame, slidably engaged with the outer frame, the inner frame comprising a tapered wall surface;
- and
- a ratchet for maintaining an expansion state of the device after moving the inner frame relatively away from the outer frame so as to increase an overall size of the device, while the inner frame maintains engagement with the outer frame,
- wherein the inner frame is configured to expand with respect to the outer frame in a direction perpendicular to a direction of insertion of the device into the body space.
A ratchet system for maintaining an expanded position of an expandable device for implantation in a body space, comprising:
- nubs located on an inner frame of the expandable device;
- and
- tines located on an outer frame of the expandable device, wherein the nubs engage with the tines to maintain an expanded state of the expandable device.
A method for using an expandable device for implantation in a body space, comprising:
- inserting an expandable device into the body space, which comprises an inner frame and an outer frame that are slidably engaged with each other, in an unexpanded state;
- inserting an expansion tool into a space created by a tapered wall surface on the inner frame, wherein the inner frame and the outer frame move relatively away from each other in a coplanar plane, perpendicular to a direction of insertion of the expansion tool, as the expansion tool is further inserted into the space;
- and
- withdrawing the expansion tool from the space when a desired state of expansion is obtained.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.