US3868956A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vessel implantable appliance and method of implanting it
Assignee: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
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Filing: 1972-06-05
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Granted: 1975-03-04
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Expires: 1992-06-05
Abstract
Abstract An expansible appliance and methods of making and implanting it in a vessel of an animal. The expansible appliance comprises a nickel-titanium alloy which is initially formed in an expanded configuration and is then deformed to a straight-line configuration for implantation. Once placed in a desired position, the device is heated causing it to resume its expanded configuration. In one embodiment the appliance in its expanded configuration comprises a coil of wire used to expand or enlarge a vessel. In another embodiment the expansible appliance comprises a bundle of centrally connected wires which, in the expanded configuration, form a strainer or screen to trap blood clots in a blood vessel. The expansible appliance is implanted within the vessel through a catheter by means of a novel and specialized detachable positioning device. The positioning device is provided with electrical conductors to supply electrical energy for heating the expansible appliance after it has been implanted. A control is provided for selectively regulating the electrical energy used to heat the expansible appliance. After the expansible appliance has been implanted and expanded, the positioning device is detached and withdrawn leaving the expansible device implanted in the vessel.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph J Alfidi
- 👤 William B Cross
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 16:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/95; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/22; A61B17/221; A61F2/01; A61F2/011; A61F2/82; A61F2/86; A61F2/88; A61B2017/2212; A61F2002/016; A61F2/02; A61F2/30; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/30092; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0023; A61F2210/0033; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0006; A61F2230/0008; A61F2230/0017; A61F2230/0019; A61F2230/0021; A61F2230/0028; A61F2230/005; A61F2230/0063; A61F2230/0069; A61F2230/0091; A61M; A61M29/00; A61M29/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
An appliance for implanting within a vessel of an animal body, said appliance cOmprising a structure formed from a recovery material, compatible with living body tissue, said structure having a predetermined initial configuration which said structure tends to assume upon the controlled application of a stimulus to said structure, and said structure being deformable to a second configuration suitable for facilitating implanting, in a vessel in an animal body, whereby said controlled application of said stimulus to a said appliance, when implanted, will cause said appliance to assume a configuration within said vessel which configuration is substantially similar to said initial configuration.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
An appliance for implanting within a vessel of an animal body, said appliance cOmprising a structure formed from a recovery material, compatible with living body tissue, said structure having a predetermined initial configuration which said structure tends to assume upon the controlled application of a stimulus to said structure, and said structure being deformable to a second configuration suitable for facilitating implanting, in a vessel in an animal body, whereby said controlled application of said stimulus to a said appliance, when implanted, will cause said appliance to assume a configuration within said vessel which configuration is substantially similar to said initial configuration.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The appliance of claim 1 wherein said structure in its initial configuration has a maximum transverse dimension greater than its maximum transverse dimension in its second configuration whereby the application of said stimulus after insertion of said appliance within a vessel will cause said appliance to expand within the vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The appliance of claim 2 wherein said structure in its second configuration comprises an elongate U-shaped loop of wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The appliance of claim 2 wherein said structure in its second configuration comprises, at least in part, a relatively small diameter coil of wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The appliance of claim 2 wherein said structure in its second configuration comprises, at least in part, a longitudinally corrugated tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The appliance of claim 1 additionally including an expansible sleeve of electrically non-conductive material surrounding portions of said structure for insertion and expansion therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The appliance of claim 6 wherein said expansible sleeve comprises a woven plastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The appliance of claim 1 wherein said structure in its second configuration comprises an array of elements forming a strainer, whereby expansion of the appliance within a vessel will provide a trap to prevent the passage of such foreign matter as blood clots.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The appliance of claim 8 wherein said structure comprises a bundle of wire elements secured together at at least one common position, and, in said second configuration, portions of said wire elements extend radially outwardly from said common position so as to engage the walls of a vessel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The appliance of claim 1 wherein said structure in its said second configuration generates the contour of an open-ended cylinder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The appliance of claim 10 wherein said structure in its said second configuration comprises, at least in part, a longitudinally corrugated tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The appliance of claim 10 wherein said structure in its said second configuration comprises, at least in part, a relatively small diameter coil of wire.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The appliance of claim 1 wherein said recovery material comprises a titanium nickel alloy comprising by weight approximately 52-56 percent nickel and 44-48 percent titanium.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
71 words
An appliance for implanting within a vessel of an animal body, said appliance comprising an internally stressed structure of material compatible with living body tissue, said internally stressed structure being itself responsive to expand upon the application of a controlled stimulus to said internally stressed structure once it is installed within a vessel which stimulus will cause said structure to expand so as to at least partially relieve said internal stresses.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
71 words
An appliance for implanting within a vessel of an animal body, said appliance comprising an internally stressed structure of material compatible with living body tissue, said internally stressed structure being itself responsive to expand upon the application of a controlled stimulus to said internally stressed structure once it is installed within a vessel which stimulus will cause said structure to expand so as to at least partially relieve said internal stresses.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The appliance of claim 14 wherein said structure comprises a recovery metal which has been formed to an initial configuration, subsequently deformed to a second configuration, and which can be expanded to its approximate initial configuration by the application of heat energy thereto.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
50 words
The appliance of claim 14 wherein said structure in its initial configuration has a maximum transverse dimension greater than its maximum transverse dimension in said second configuration, whereby the application of said stimulus after insertion of said appliance within a vessel will cause said appliance to expand within the vessel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The appliance of claim 16 wherein said stRucture in said second configuration comprises an array of elements forming a strainer, whereby expansion of the appliance within the vessel will provide a trap to prevent the passage of such foreign matter as blood clots.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The appliance of claim 16 wherein said structure in said second configuration exerts a radially outward force on the walls of the vessel within which it is implanted so as to expand the vessel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
122 words
An appliance for implanting within a vessel of an animal body, said appliance comprising a structure formed of a recovery metal compatible with living body tissue and which comprises a titanium nickel alloy comprising by weight approximately 52-56 percent nickel and 44-48 percent titanium, said structure having a predetermined initial configuration which said structure tends to assume in response to the controlled application of a stimulus to said structure, said initial configuration being impartible to said structure in response to heating of said structure to a predetermined forming temperature, and said structure also being deformable at a temperature lower then said predetermined forming temperature into a second configuration different from said initial configuration for facilitating insertion of said appliance into a vessel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
122 words
An appliance for implanting within a vessel of an animal body, said appliance comprising a structure formed of a recovery metal compatible with living body tissue and which comprises a titanium nickel alloy comprising by weight approximately 52-56 percent nickel and 44-48 percent titanium, said structure having a predetermined initial configuration which said structure tends to assume in response to the controlled application of a stimulus to said structure, said initial configuration being impartible to said structure in response to heating of said structure to a predetermined forming temperature, and said structure also being deformable at a temperature lower then said predetermined forming temperature into a second configuration different from said initial configuration for facilitating insertion of said appliance into a vessel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The appliance of claim 19 wherein said structure in its second configuration comprises an elongate U-shaped loop of wire.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
24 words
The appliance of claim 19 wherein said structure in its second configuration comprises, at least in part, a relatively small diameter coil of wire.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The appliance of claim 19 wherein said structure in its second configuration comprises, at least in part, a longitudinally corrugated tube.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The appliance of claim 19 additionally including an expansible sleeve of electrically non-conductive material surrounding portions of said structure for insertion and expansion therewith.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
166 words
The combination of an expansible appliance and an apparatus for implanting the appliance within the vessel of an animal body, said combination comprising: a. an expansible structure formed from a recovery material compatible with living body tissue and having a initial expanded configuration to which said expansible structure tends to return upon the heating of said expansible structure to a predetermined temperature, said expansible structure additionally being deformible to a reduced diameter configuration having a diameter less then that of said expanded configuration for facilitating insertion of said expansible structure into an animal vessel; b. a positioning structure comprising an elongated device releasably connected to said expansible structure c. one of said structures including electrically responsive heating means to heat said expansible structure so as to cause said expansible structure to assume its initial expanded configuration after being implanted in an animal vessel; and, d. said positioning structure being provided with electrical conductors adapted to electrically couple said heating means to a source of electrical energy.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
166 words
The combination of an expansible appliance and an apparatus for implanting the appliance within the vessel of an animal body, said combination comprising: a. an expansible structure formed from a recovery material compatible with living body tissue and having a initial expanded configuration to which said expansible structure tends to return upon the heating of said expansible structure to a predetermined temperature, said expansible structure additionally being deformible to a reduced diameter configuration having a diameter less then that of said expanded configuration for facilitating insertion of said expansible structure into an animal vessel; b. a positioning structure comprising an elongated device releasably connected to said expansible structure c. one of said structures including electrically responsive heating means to heat said expansible structure so as to cause said expansible structure to assume its initial expanded configuration after being implanted in an animal vessel; and, d. said positioning structure being provided with electrical conductors adapted to electrically couple said heating means to a source of electrical energy.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 24 wherein said heating means comprises an electrical resistance heating element carried by said positioning structure and adapted to heat said expansible structure by conduction.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination of claim 24 wherein said heating means comprises at least a portion of said expansible structure, and said electrical conductors carried by said positioning structure are adapted to connect said portion across a source of electrical energy, whereby said expansible device is heated by the flow of electrical current through said portion.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
133 words
A positioning device for inserting an expansible appliance through a catheter and into a vessel of an animal body for implantation therewith, and wherein the expansible appliance is comprised of a recovery material that will expand to a desired shape upon heating to a predetermined temperature, comprising: a. an elongated body of sufficiently sMall diameter as to pass freely through a catheter and into an animal vessel; b. connection means for releasably engaging an expansible appliance for inserting the appliance into an animal vessel; c. electrical conductors adapted for connection to a source of electrical energy; and, d. an electrical resistance heating element electrically connected to said conductors and adapted to heat an expansible appliance which has been connected to the positioning device so as to expand the appliance to a desired shape.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
133 words
A positioning device for inserting an expansible appliance through a catheter and into a vessel of an animal body for implantation therewith, and wherein the expansible appliance is comprised of a recovery material that will expand to a desired shape upon heating to a predetermined temperature, comprising: a. an elongated body of sufficiently sMall diameter as to pass freely through a catheter and into an animal vessel; b. connection means for releasably engaging an expansible appliance for inserting the appliance into an animal vessel; c. electrical conductors adapted for connection to a source of electrical energy; and, d. an electrical resistance heating element electrically connected to said conductors and adapted to heat an expansible appliance which has been connected to the positioning device so as to expand the appliance to a desired shape.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
158 words
A positioning device for inserting an expansible appliance through a catheter and into a vessel of an animal body for implantation therein, wherein the expansible appliance is comprised of a recovery material that will expand to a desired shape upon heating to a predetermined temperature, and wherein at least a portion of the expansible appliance comprises a heating means which, when connected across a source of electrical energy, will serve to heat the expansible appliance and expand it to the desired shape, the positioning device comprising: a. an elongated body of sufficiently small diameter as to pass freely through a catheter and into an animal vessel; b. connection means for releasably engaging an expansible appliance for inserting the appliance into an animal vessel; c. electrical conductors adapted for connection to a source of electrical energy; and, d. electrical coupling means for releasably electrically connecting the heating means to said conductors for supplying electrical energy to the heating means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
158 words
A positioning device for inserting an expansible appliance through a catheter and into a vessel of an animal body for implantation therein, wherein the expansible appliance is comprised of a recovery material that will expand to a desired shape upon heating to a predetermined temperature, and wherein at least a portion of the expansible appliance comprises a heating means which, when connected across a source of electrical energy, will serve to heat the expansible appliance and expand it to the desired shape, the positioning device comprising: a. an elongated body of sufficiently small diameter as to pass freely through a catheter and into an animal vessel; b. connection means for releasably engaging an expansible appliance for inserting the appliance into an animal vessel; c. electrical conductors adapted for connection to a source of electrical energy; and, d. electrical coupling means for releasably electrically connecting the heating means to said conductors for supplying electrical energy to the heating means.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
36 words
The positioning device of claim 28 additionally including electrical control means interposed between said conductors and a source of electrical energy so as to regulate the quantity of electrical energy which is transmitted to the appliance.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 29 wherein said electrical control means includes means for selectively controlling the duration of time during which electrical energy is supplied to heat the appliance.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said electrical control means includes means for selectively controlling the voltage of the electrical energy supplied to heat the appliance.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of expanding a portion of an animal vessel comprising the steps of: a. inserting a catheter into the vessel; b. providing an expansible appliance comprising a structure formed from a recovery material compatible with living body tissue, said structure having a predetermined initial configuration which said structure tends to assume upon the controlled application of a stimulus to said structure, and said structure being deformible to a second configuration suitable for facilitating implanting in a vessel in an animal body whereby said controlled application of said stimulus to a said appliance when implanted will cause said appliance to assume a configuration within said vessel which is substantially similar to said initial configuration, said initial configuration having an outer diameter greater than the initial inner diameter of the vessel to be expanded; c. deforming the appliance for insertion through the catheter into the vessel portion; d. releasably coupling the appliance to a positioning device which is of sufficiently small cross section as to pass freely through the catheter and into the vessel portion; e. inserting the deformed appliance through the catheter and into the vessel portion by manipulating the positioning device; f. expanding the deformed appliance once it is in position within the vessel portion, and, g. removing the catheter and positioning device from the vessel so as to leave the expanded appliance implanted therein.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
226 words
A method of expanding a portion of an animal vessel comprising the steps of: a. inserting a catheter into the vessel; b. providing an expansible appliance comprising a structure formed from a recovery material compatible with living body tissue, said structure having a predetermined initial configuration which said structure tends to assume upon the controlled application of a stimulus to said structure, and said structure being deformible to a second configuration suitable for facilitating implanting in a vessel in an animal body whereby said controlled application of said stimulus to a said appliance when implanted will cause said appliance to assume a configuration within said vessel which is substantially similar to said initial configuration, said initial configuration having an outer diameter greater than the initial inner diameter of the vessel to be expanded; c. deforming the appliance for insertion through the catheter into the vessel portion; d. releasably coupling the appliance to a positioning device which is of sufficiently small cross section as to pass freely through the catheter and into the vessel portion; e. inserting the deformed appliance through the catheter and into the vessel portion by manipulating the positioning device; f. expanding the deformed appliance once it is in position within the vessel portion, and, g. removing the catheter and positioning device from the vessel so as to leave the expanded appliance implanted therein.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 26 wherein the reduced diameter configuration is a substantially linear configuration of said expansible structure.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of implanting an expansible appliance within an animal vessel wherein the expansible appliance is comprised of a recovery materiaL having a memory and which will expand to a desired shape upon the application of a controlled stimulus thereto, comprising the steps of: a. releasably coupling the appliance to an elongated positioning device which is of sufficiently small cross section so as to pass freely through the vessel within which the appliance is to be implanted; b. manipulating the positioning device within the vessel so as to position the appliance at a desired location within the vessel; c. applying a controlled stimulus to the appliance to effect expansion of the appliance to a desired shape wherein the appliance engages the walls of the vessel; d. disengaging the positioning device from the expanded appliance; and, e. removing the positioning device from the vessel so as to leave the appliance implanted within the vessel.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of implanting an expansible appliance within an animal vessel wherein the expansible appliance is comprised of a recovery materiaL having a memory and which will expand to a desired shape upon the application of a controlled stimulus thereto, comprising the steps of: a. releasably coupling the appliance to an elongated positioning device which is of sufficiently small cross section so as to pass freely through the vessel within which the appliance is to be implanted; b. manipulating the positioning device within the vessel so as to position the appliance at a desired location within the vessel; c. applying a controlled stimulus to the appliance to effect expansion of the appliance to a desired shape wherein the appliance engages the walls of the vessel; d. disengaging the positioning device from the expanded appliance; and, e. removing the positioning device from the vessel so as to leave the appliance implanted within the vessel.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 34 wherein a portion expansible appliance comprises an electrical resistance heating means, and said step of applying a controlled stimulus to the appliance comprises supplying a regulated quantity of electrical energy to said heating means.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the positioning device is provided with an electrical resistance heating means and said step of applying a controlled stimulus to the appliance comprises supplying a regulated quantity of electrical energy to said heating means to heat the appliance.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method of claim 34 wherein the expansible appliance comprises a structure formed of a titanium nickel alloy comprising by weight approximately 52-56 percent nickel and 44-48 percent titanium, additionally including the steps of: a. initially forming the structure in an expanded configuration; b. heating the structure in the expanded configuration to a predetermined temperature to impart the expanded configuration into the memory of the alloy; c. cooling the structure to ambient temperature; and, d. plastically deforming the structure to a substantially straight-line configuration prior to coupling the appliance to the positioning device for insertion into an animal vessel.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
119 words
A body implantable appliance for implantation in a vessel of an animal comprising: a. an elongated member formed of material which can be body implanted without harmful reaction, irritation or poisoning of the body fuilds, of a vessel or of the walls of said vessels; b. said members having an initial configuration of expanded transverse dimension and predetermined contour, which initial configuration said member tends to assume in response to the application of stimulating energy to the member whereby the member may be implanted in a vessel in a configuration of lesser transverse dimension than said initial configuration and thereafter altered in configuration to assume said predetermined contour of said initial configuration to expand the walls of said vessel.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
119 words
A body implantable appliance for implantation in a vessel of an animal comprising: a. an elongated member formed of material which can be body implanted without harmful reaction, irritation or poisoning of the body fuilds, of a vessel or of the walls of said vessels; b. said members having an initial configuration of expanded transverse dimension and predetermined contour, which initial configuration said member tends to assume in response to the application of stimulating energy to the member whereby the member may be implanted in a vessel in a configuration of lesser transverse dimension than said initial configuration and thereafter altered in configuration to assume said predetermined contour of said initial configuration to expand the walls of said vessel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-03 | 1978-09-02 | 1979-03-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-03 | 1982-09-02 | 1983-03-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-03 | 1986-09-02 | 1987-03-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |