Expandable Inter Vivos Tube

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 flexible membrane is contained in the at least one cavity so that the hydraulic or air pressure within an inner rib of the H-shaped connector expands the movable element and, thus, the circumference and diameter of the flexible inter vivos tube are increased. A free end of the arched segment may include a retaining pin that engages a serrated free end of the corresponding movable element.

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 first 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 therebetween,a channel formed in said rib element, said channel extending from a proximate end to a distal end of said rib element, a distal end of said channel being sealed, sealing elements sealing a proximate end and a distal end of each of said first cavity and said second cavity; a flexible membrane attached to an open end of a corresponding one of said first cavity and said second cavity; 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 flexible membrane in a corresponding one of said first cavity and said second cavity, said first and second free ends being displaced from said cavities to expand a diameter of said flexible longitudinal tube member.