In vivo adjustment mechanism and associated systems and methods
AssigneeW. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
InventorsJohn M. Brinkmann, Paul D. Goodman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A diametric adjustment mechanism for an implantable medical device including a track defining a series of diametric setpoints, including a first diametric setpoint and a second diametric setpoint, a rider engaged with the track such that the rider is selectively movable along the track from the first diametric setpoint to the second diametric setpoint and from the second diametric setpoint to the first diametric setpoint, and a biasing element biasing the rider toward the first diametric setpoint when the rider is at the second diametric setpoint.
Claims21
-15. (canceled)
An endoprosthesis that is adjustable in diameter between both larger and smaller diametric setpoints, the endoprosthesis comprising:
- a tubular implant having an implant diameter and an implant length, a first end portion, a mid-portion, and a second end portion along the implant length,
- an adjustment mechanism coupled to the tubular implant, the adjustment mechanism including,
- a tubular biasing element defining a longitudinal axis, the tubular biasing element coupled to the tubular implant along the implant length, the tubular biasing element operable to be enlargeable and reducible between a plurality of diametric setpoints via application of a diametric force to increase and decrease the implant diameter, the plurality of diametric setpoints including a first diametric setpoint, a second diametric setpoint that is larger than the first diametric setpoint, and a third diametric setpoint that is larger than the second diametric setpoint.
An endoprosthesis that is adjustable in diameter between both larger and smaller diametric setpoints, the endoprosthesis comprising:
- a tubular implant having an implant diameter and an implant length, a first end portion, a mid-portion, and a second end portion along the implant length,
- an adjustment mechanism coupled to the tubular implant, the adjustment mechanism including,
- a tubular biasing element having a biasing force that may be overcome by application of a diametric force to the tubular biasing element, the tubular biasing element defining a longitudinal axis, the tubular biasing element coupled to the tubular implant along the implant length, the tubular biasing element operable to be enlargeable and reducible between a plurality of diametric setpoints via application of the diametric force to both increase and decrease the implant diameter, the plurality of diametric setpoints including a first diametric setpoint, a second diametric setpoint that is larger than the first diametric setpoint, and a third diametric setpoint that is larger than the second diametric setpoint.
A method comprising:
- imparting a diametric force onto an endoprosthesis, the endoprosthesis including,
- a tubular implant having an implant diameter, and
- an adjustment mechanism coupled to the tubular implant, the adjustment mechanism including a tubular biasing element operable to be enlargeable and reducible between a plurality of diametric setpoints via application of the diametric force to increase and decrease the implant diameter, the plurality of diametric setpoints including a first diametric setpoint, a second diametric setpoint that is larger than the first diametric setpoint, and a third diametric setpoint that is larger than the second diametric setpoint.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.