Stentless support structure

摘要

A stentless support structure capable of being at least partly assembled in situ. The support structure comprises a braided tube that is very flexible and, when elongated, becomes very long and very small in diameter, thereby being capable of placement within a small diameter catheter. The support structure is preferably constructed of one or more thin strands of a super-elastic or shape memory material such as Nitinol. When released from the catheter, the support structure folds itself into a longitudinally compact configuration. The support structure thus gains significant strength as the number of folds increase. This radial strength obviates the need for a support stent. The support structure may include attachment points for a prosthetic valve.

主权项

1. A stentless support structure comprising:
at least one strand braided to form a tubular structure having a first configuration and a second configuration; whereby in the first configuration, the tubular structure includes:
an elongate body;at least one unfolded preformed fold in the elongate body dividing the elongate body into at least a first portion and a second portion; whereby in the second configuration, the at least one preformed fold is folded, causing the second portion to invert into the first portion, thereby creating a section of the body having more than one ply.