Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
275 words
A stent for use in the reconnection of a severed vessel that may carry fluid and that has a first free portion and a second free portion, said stent comprising: support means for supporting the first and second portions of the vessel, said support means having first and second sections that are insertable into the first and second free portions of the vessel, said first and second sections having first and second outer surfaces and terminating in first and second ends, respectively, said support means including a tube having an inner passage extending between said first and second ends, wherein the outer diameter of said first section of said tube is reduced at said first end and the outer diameter of said second section of said tube is reduced at said second end; and first and second flanges provided on said first and second outer surfaces of said support means, respectively, to sealably engage the first and second portions of the vessel, said first flange including a first seal surface that defines an obtuse angle with respect to said first outer surface extending toward said first end, said second flange including a second seal surface that defines an obtuse angle with respect to said second outer surface extending toward said second end, said support means and said first and second flanges being made of a material that dissolves when exposed to fluid, allowing the seal between the first seal surface and the first portion of the vessel and the seal between the second seal surface and the second portion of the vessel to vary during use of said stent to minimize trauma to the vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
275 words
A stent for use in the reconnection of a severed vessel that may carry fluid and that has a first free portion and a second free portion, said stent comprising: support means for supporting the first and second portions of the vessel, said support means having first and second sections that are insertable into the first and second free portions of the vessel, said first and second sections having first and second outer surfaces and terminating in first and second ends, respectively, said support means including a tube having an inner passage extending between said first and second ends, wherein the outer diameter of said first section of said tube is reduced at said first end and the outer diameter of said second section of said tube is reduced at said second end; and first and second flanges provided on said first and second outer surfaces of said support means, respectively, to sealably engage the first and second portions of the vessel, said first flange including a first seal surface that defines an obtuse angle with respect to said first outer surface extending toward said first end, said second flange including a second seal surface that defines an obtuse angle with respect to said second outer surface extending toward said second end, said support means and said first and second flanges being made of a material that dissolves when exposed to fluid, allowing the seal between the first seal surface and the first portion of the vessel and the seal between the second seal surface and the second portion of the vessel to vary during use of said stent to minimize trauma to the vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
166 words
The stent of claim 1 wherein the outer diameter of said first section of said tube is a first predetermined function of the inner diameter of the first portion of the vessel, the reduced outer diameter of said first end of said first section of said tube is a second predetermined function of the inner diameter of the first portion of the vessel, the outer diameter of said first flange is a third predetermined function of the inner diameter of the first portion of the vessel, the outer diameter of said second section of said tube is a fourth predetermined function of the size of the second portion of the vessel, the reduced outer diameter of said second end of said second section of said tube is a fifth predetermined function of the inner diameter of the second portion of the vessel, and the outer diameter of said second flange is a sixth predetermined function of the inner diameter of the second portion of the vessel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The stent of claim 2, wherein the first and fourth predetermined functions are 70 percent, the second and fifth predetermined functions are 60 percent, and the third and sixth predetermined functions are 100 percent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The stent of claim 3, wherein said first and second sections of said tube are joined by a third section that provides a uniform, gradual transition between said first and second sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The stent of claim 4, wherein the distance between said first and second flanges is a seventh predetermined function of the inner diameter of the first portion of the vessel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The stent of claim 5, wherein the seventh predetermined function is 425 percent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stent of claim 6, wherein said material that said stent is made of is polyglycolic acid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stent of claim 6, wherein said material that said stent is made of is polygalactin 9-10.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The stent of claim 6, wherein the vessel said stent is for use with is a vas deferens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The stent of claim 6, wherein the vessel said stent is for use with is a Fallopian tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
231 words
A stent for use in the reconnection of a severed vessel that may carry fluid and that has a first free portion and a second free portion, said stent comprising: support means for supporting the first and second portions of the vessel, said support means having first and second sections that are insertable into the first and second free portions of the vessel, said first and second sections having first and second outer surfaces and terminating in first and second ends, respectively; and first and second flanges provided on said first and second outer surfaces of said support means, respectively, to sealably engage the first and second portions of the vessel, said first flange including a first seal surface that defines an obtuse angle with respect to said first outer surface extending toward said first end, said second flange including a second seal surface that defines an obtuse angle with respect to said second outer surface extending toward said second end, said first and second flanges being pre-stressed, said support means and said first and second flanges being made of a material that dissolves when exposed to fluid, allowing the seal between the first seal surface and the first portion of the vessel and the seal between the second seal surface and the second portion of the vessel to vary during use of said stent to minimize trauma to the vessel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
231 words
A stent for use in the reconnection of a severed vessel that may carry fluid and that has a first free portion and a second free portion, said stent comprising: support means for supporting the first and second portions of the vessel, said support means having first and second sections that are insertable into the first and second free portions of the vessel, said first and second sections having first and second outer surfaces and terminating in first and second ends, respectively; and first and second flanges provided on said first and second outer surfaces of said support means, respectively, to sealably engage the first and second portions of the vessel, said first flange including a first seal surface that defines an obtuse angle with respect to said first outer surface extending toward said first end, said second flange including a second seal surface that defines an obtuse angle with respect to said second outer surface extending toward said second end, said first and second flanges being pre-stressed, said support means and said first and second flanges being made of a material that dissolves when exposed to fluid, allowing the seal between the first seal surface and the first portion of the vessel and the seal between the second seal surface and the second portion of the vessel to vary during use of said stent to minimize trauma to the vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
233 words
A stent for use in the reconnection of a severed vessel that may carry fluid and that has a first free portion and a second free portion, said stent comprising: support means for supporting the first and second portions of the vessel, said support means having first and second sections that are insertable into the first and second free portions of the vessel, said first and second sections having first and second outer surfaces and terminating in first and second ends, respectively, said support means including a tube having an inner passage extending between said first and second ends and wherein the outer diameter of said first section of said tube is reduced at said first end and the outer diameter of said second section of said tube is reduced at said second end; and first and second flanges provided on said first and second outer surfaces of said support means, respectively, to sealably engage the first and second portions of the vessel, said first flange including a first seal surface that defines an obtuse angle with respect to said first outer surface extending toward said first end, said second flange including a second seal surface that defines an obtuse angle with respect to said second outer surface extending toward said second end, said support means and said first and second flanges being made of a material that dissolves when exposed to fluid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
233 words
A stent for use in the reconnection of a severed vessel that may carry fluid and that has a first free portion and a second free portion, said stent comprising: support means for supporting the first and second portions of the vessel, said support means having first and second sections that are insertable into the first and second free portions of the vessel, said first and second sections having first and second outer surfaces and terminating in first and second ends, respectively, said support means including a tube having an inner passage extending between said first and second ends and wherein the outer diameter of said first section of said tube is reduced at said first end and the outer diameter of said second section of said tube is reduced at said second end; and first and second flanges provided on said first and second outer surfaces of said support means, respectively, to sealably engage the first and second portions of the vessel, said first flange including a first seal surface that defines an obtuse angle with respect to said first outer surface extending toward said first end, said second flange including a second seal surface that defines an obtuse angle with respect to said second outer surface extending toward said second end, said support means and said first and second flanges being made of a material that dissolves when exposed to fluid.