Repositionable endoluminal support structure and its applications

摘要

An endoluminal support structure includes strut members interconnected by swivel joints to form a series of linked scissor mechanisms. The structure can be remotely actuated to compress or expand its shape by adjusting the scissor joints within a range of motion. In particular, the support structure can be repositioned within the body lumen or retrieved from the lumen. The support structure can be employed to introduce and support a prosthetic valve within a body lumen.

主权项

1. An implantable medical device, comprising:
a plurality of strut members wherein each of the plurality of strut members is directly connected to and pivots relative to a different strut member at each of three pivot joints and wherein none of the different strut members is directly connected to and pivots relative to one another, and wherein a portion of at least some strut members of the plurality of strut members comprises multiple layers; and a prosthetic valve comprising a plurality of leaflets, wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of leaflets is sandwiched between the multiple layers of at least one strut member of the plurality of strut members.