Medical device lock mechanism

摘要

A medical device (10) includes an implant body (20) with a number of segments (30) hingedly interconnected so as to assume a straightened state for delivery and a flexed or roughly curved deployed state. Implant body may have engagement elements on at least two different segments, for example on a majority of segments. An elongated locking element anchored at the distal segment of the implant body may have projections for at least each engagement element. Tension applied to the locking element biases the implant body from the straightened state to the flexed deployed state. When the locking element is deflected to reach the curved deployed state, flexing segments of the implant body lock by matching engagement elements of the implant body with projections of the locking element. A very secure lock may be formed to prevent opening after deployment.

主权项

1. A medical device comprising:
(a) an implant body including a plurality of segments interconnected so as to assume a straightened state and a flexed deployed state, a first of said segments having an engagement element; and (b) an elongated locking element anchored at one segment of said implant body, the locking element having projections corresponding to the engagement elements,wherein said implant body and said locking element are configured to lock, such that when said locking element is deflected to reach said flexed deployed state of the implant body, the projections of the locking element engages and locks with the engagement element of the implant body to lock said locking element relative to said implant body, thereby retaining said implant body in said flexed deployed state,wherein at least one additional segment of said implant body has an additional engagement element and said elongated locking element has at least one additional projection that engages and locks with the additional engagement element when said at least one additional segment of said implant body flexes, said implant body and said locking element being configured such that, when said implant body is deflected, each successive segment of said implant body flexes, and projections engage said engagement elements only for those segments that have already flexed.