Method and apparatus for testing pulsatile endurance of a vascular implant
AssigneeAnson Medical Limited
InventorDuncan Robert Keeble
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Abstract
A method for testing the pulsatile endurance of a vascular implant 3 comprises placing a resilient insert 4 into the implant and repeatedly expanding and contracting the insert, thereby expanding and contracting the implant. The insert preferably has a cavity therein and is repeatedly expanded and contracted by repeatedly increasing and decreasing the pressure in the cavity.
Claims19
A method for testing pulsatile endurance of a vascular implant comprising:
- a. providing a resilient insert,
- b. inserting the insert into the vascular implant,
- c. providing a resilient outer sheath, with the implant being at least partially located in the sheath, and
- d. repeatedly expanding and contracting the insert using a fluid, thereby expanding and contracting the implant, wherein the implant presses against the sheath during the implant's expansion, and the resilience of the sheath provides a compressive force to the implant.
A device for testing pulsatile endurance of a vascular implant comprising:
- a. a resilient insert having a cavity therein,
- b. a resilient outer sheath in which the implant is at least partially located,
- c. means for repeatedly increasing and decreasing the pressure in the cavity in order repeatedly to expand and contract the insert, thereby repeatedly expanding and contracting the implant into which, in use, the insert is inserted, wherein the sheath provides a compressive force when the implant expands against the sheath.
A device for testing pulsatile endurance of a vascular implant comprising a resilient insert having a cavity therein, and a resilient outer sheath wherein:
- a. the vascular implant is fit about the resilient insert,
- b. the resilient outer sheath is fit about the vascular implant, and
- c. the insert is repeatedly flexed by pressure variations in the cavity, wherein the insert bears against the interior of the vascular implant during flexure, and the sheath provides a compressive force when the implant expands against the sheath.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.