Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A venous valve competence-restoring cuff, said cuff comprising an elongated band, having one end and opposite overlapping end portions, of biocompatible implantable material, said material having an elasticity such that it is not stretchable at blood flow pressures, the band having a length to encompass the vein at the site of the venous valve, with said end portions of the band overlapping, the end portions being joinable together to form a cuff of desired circumference small enough to restore competence yet not too tight to decrease blood flow, and further including loop means adjacent said end portion of the band to which said overlapping end portion of the band is joined.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A venous valve competence-restoring cuff, said cuff comprising an elongated band, having one end and opposite overlapping end portions, of biocompatible implantable material, said material having an elasticity such that it is not stretchable at blood flow pressures, the band having a length to encompass the vein at the site of the venous valve, with said end portions of the band overlapping, the end portions being joinable together to form a cuff of desired circumference small enough to restore competence yet not too tight to decrease blood flow, and further including loop means adjacent said end portion of the band to which said overlapping end portion of the band is joined.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
113 words
A venous valve competence-restoring cuff, said cuff comprising an elongated band, having one end and opposite overlapping end portions, of biocompatible implantable material, said material having an elasticity such that it is not stretchable at blood flow pressures, the band having a length to encompass the vein at the site of the venous valve, with said end portions of the band overlapping, and means for securing the end portions together to form a cuff of desired circumference small enough to restore competence yet not too tight to decrease blood flow and further including loop means adjacent said end portion of the band to which said overlapping end portion of the band is joined.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
113 words
A venous valve competence-restoring cuff, said cuff comprising an elongated band, having one end and opposite overlapping end portions, of biocompatible implantable material, said material having an elasticity such that it is not stretchable at blood flow pressures, the band having a length to encompass the vein at the site of the venous valve, with said end portions of the band overlapping, and means for securing the end portions together to form a cuff of desired circumference small enough to restore competence yet not too tight to decrease blood flow and further including loop means adjacent said end portion of the band to which said overlapping end portion of the band is joined.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cuff according to claim 1 or claim 2 and further including means for securing the cuff to the surrounding tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cuff according to claim 3 wherein the securing means comprises a pair of tabs secured one at each end of a transverse portion that extends outwardly from either side of the band.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A cuff according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said loop means adjacent said one end of the band is spaced from the band so as to receive said overlapping end of the band within the loop.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cuff according to claim 5 wherein the band portion within the loop is secured to the loop to form the cuff of desired circumference.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cuff according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein said loop means adjacent said one end of the band is also used for attaching the band to an applicator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
A cuff according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the band has at said one end connector means comprising an elongated strap of implantable material disposed transversely to the band, said strap having inwardly directed slits that divide the connector means into a band attachment portion, free ends of the strap in the band attachment portion being folded over one another to provide the loop means and an outer deformable portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cuff according to claim 8 wherein the outer deformable portion extends outwardly from each side of the band and constitutes means for securing the cuff to the surrounding tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A cuff according to claim 9 wherein the securing means includes a tab secured to or integral with each transverse portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cuff according to claim 9 wherein the band attachment portion includes a loop disposed above the band.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cuff according to claim 1 wherein the implantable material comprises a composite including a reinforcing fabric.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A cuff according to claim 1 wherein the implantable material is cured silicone rubber sheeting.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A cuff according to claim 13 wherein the cured silicone rubber sheeting is reinforced with a woven polyester.