Endoluminal prosthesis having adjustable constriction
OwnerCarlos E. Ruizinventor
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Abstract
Apparatus and methods for regulating the flow of fluids through a body vessel or organ are provided by a stent comprising a deformable mesh covered with a biocompatible material, the mesh having a conical portion and a constricted region. The stent may be percutaneously and transluminally delivered and deployed in a vessel. The constricted region may then be selectively enlarged employing a conventional dilatation device to adjust the flow impedance created by the constricted region. In an alternative embodiment, the constricted region is preferably formed from a shape-memory material, so that the maximum degree of constriction may be recovered by heating the shape-memory material. Methods of implanting the stent and adjusting and optimizing the degree of flow impedance are also provided.
Claims12
Apparatus for regulating flow through a vessel or organ, the apparatus comprising a tubular member having first and second ends, an interior surface forming a lumen extending between the first and second ends, and a constricted region disposed between the first and second ends, a portion of the tubular member adjacent the first end having a substantially uniform first diameter along a first length and the constricted region having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, the constricted region formed by a radial inward extension of the interior surface, the tubular member having a contracted configuration suitable for transluminal delivery, and a deployed configuration wherein the portion of the tubular member adjacent to the first end engages a wall of the vessel or organ along the first length and the constricted region limits flow through the lumen,
- wherein the constricted region comprises a plastically deformable material and has a continuous curved profile that gradually transitions between the first diameter and the second diameter to reduce thrombus formation, and
- wherein the second diameter, in the deployed configuration, is adapted to be selectively enlarged by application of a radially outwardly directed force on the interior surface of the constricted region to obtain an adjustable degree of constriction, and is restored to a minimum diameter by application of heat to the constricted region.
Apparatus for regulating flow through a vessel or organ, the apparatus comprising:
- a tubular member having first and second ends and an interior surface forming a lumen extending through the tubular member, the tubular member having a contracted configuration configured for percutaneous delivery and a deployed configuration, wherein a first portion of the tubular member is adapted to expand to a substantially uniform first diameter along a first length to engage a wall of the vessel or organ along the first length and a second portion of the tubular member includes a radial inward extension of the interior surface forming a constricted region having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, the constricted region limiting flow through the lumen;
- and
- an elastomeric and biocompatible cover disposed on a surface of the tubular member,
- wherein the constricted region is plastically deformable and has a continuous curved profile that gradually transitions between the first diameter and the second diameter to reduce thrombus formation,
- wherein the second diameter is adapted to be selectively enlarged by application of a radially outwardly directed force on the interior surface of the constricted region to obtain an adjustable degree of constriction, and
- wherein the second diameter is restored to a minimum diameter, in the deployed configuration, by application of heat to the constricted region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.