COMPACTED IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES AND METHOD OF COMPACTING SUCH DEVICES

摘要

An expandable implantable device is provided having a very small
introductory profile. The small introductory profile is achieved by de-
coupling the
forces necessary to initially constrain the expandable device from the forces
necessary to achieve full compaction of the device. As a result, the device
can
be made from more delicate materials that do not have to withstand overly
aggressive compaction forces in order to achieve a fully compacted
introductory
profile.