Expandable Inter Vivos Tube and Method of Manufacturing Same

摘要

A flexible expandable inter vivos tube includes at least one arched segmented portion, a corresponding movable element and at least one positioning mechanism. The at least one arched segmented portion and corresponding movable element forming a flexible closed longitudinally expandable tube. The at least one arched segment includes an H-shaped connector having at least one cavity that allows variable slidable movement of a free end portion of the corresponding movable element. A balloon is contained in each of the at least one cavity so that the hydraulic or air pressure within balloon expands the movable element and, thus, the circumference of the flexible inter vivos tube is increased.

主权项

1. An expandable inter vivos tube comprising:
a flexible member extending longitudinally substantially along an edge of said inter vivos tube, said flexible membrane comprising:
an outer circumference member;an inner circumference member; anda rib element connecting said outer circumference member and said inner circumference member at substantially a midpoint of said outer circumference member and said inner circumference member, said outer circumference member, said inner circumference member and said rib member forming a first cavity and a second cavity, respectively,a balloon, extending longitudinally in each of said first cavity and said second cavity, said balloon including a tube extending through a corresponding injection port in said flexible member; and
a flexible longitudinal tube member having a first free end and a second free end, said first free end and second free end slidably engaging said balloon member in a corresponding one of said first cavity and said second cavity.