Low Profile Support Frame and Related Intraluminal Medical Devices

摘要

A low profile support frame for use as or in an expandable intraluminal medical device includes first and second wire members that define arcuate paths having opposing curves. Connectors join the wire members. A stabilizing member has a proximal end contained within one of the connectors. The support frame has radially compressed and radially expanded configurations. When the support frame is in the radially expanded configuration, substantially no portion of the support frame is disposed on a first transverse axis of the frame opposite one end of the frame and substantially no portion of the frame is disposed on a second transverse axis of the frame opposite the other end of the frame. The support frame can be used as an intraluminal medical device by itself or as a component in a medical device that includes other components, such as a stent, prosthetic valve, occluder, or filter.

主权项

1. A low profile support frame, said support frame having a lengthwise axis, a radially compressed configuration and a radially expanded configuration, said low profile support frame comprising:
a first wire member having first and second ends and defining a first arcuate path with a first curve disposed between the first and second ends, the first arcuate path comprising only a single sigmoidal curve; a second wire member having third and fourth ends and defining a second arcuate path with a second curve disposed between the third and fourth ends, the second arcuate path comprising only a single sigmoidal curve; a first connector connecting the first and third ends; a second connector connecting the second and fourth ends and spaced from the first connector on said lengthwise axis of said support frame; and a stabilizing member having a stabilizing member proximal end and a stabilizing member distal end, the stabilizing member proximal end contained within the second connector; wherein substantially no portion of said support frame is disposed on a first transverse axis of said support frame opposite the first and third ends and substantially no portion of said support frame is disposed on a second transverse axis of said support frame opposite the second and fourth ends when said support frame is in said radially expanded configuration.