Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A prosthesis for deployment in a vessel to treat pediatric congenital defects and constrictive diseases, the prosthesis comprising: an interconnection member defining a longitudinal axis, the interconnection member having a portion defining a longitudinally-oriented slot, the longitudinally-oriented slot enabling tissue to grow therethrough to anchor the prosthesis within the vessel; and a plurality of support members extending in a direction away from the longitudinal axis, each one of the support members having a base portion adjoined to the interconnection member, an atraumatic tip, and being tapered from a first width at the base portion to a second width at the tip, the second width smaller than the first width, the prosthesis having a first deployed state, at the time of initial deployment, wherein the support members expand radially to a first diameter to support the vessel, and a second deployed state, temporally remote from time of initial deployment and after growth of the vessel, wherein the support members expand to a second diameter, larger than the first diameter, to support the vessel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A prosthesis for deployment in a vessel to treat pediatric congenital defects and constrictive diseases, the prosthesis comprising: an interconnection member defining a longitudinal axis, the interconnection member having a portion defining a longitudinally-oriented slot, the longitudinally-oriented slot enabling tissue to grow therethrough to anchor the prosthesis within the vessel; and a plurality of support members extending in a direction away from the longitudinal axis, each one of the support members having a base portion adjoined to the interconnection member, an atraumatic tip, and being tapered from a first width at the base portion to a second width at the tip, the second width smaller than the first width, the prosthesis having a first deployed state, at the time of initial deployment, wherein the support members expand radially to a first diameter to support the vessel, and a second deployed state, temporally remote from time of initial deployment and after growth of the vessel, wherein the support members expand to a second diameter, larger than the first diameter, to support the vessel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 1 wherein the support members are inclined at an angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 1 wherein the interconnection member has first and second lateral faces and the plurality of support members all project from the first lateral face.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 3 wherein each base portion has an interior surface and the tip of each support member overlaps the interior surface of the base portion by a predetermined amount.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 3 wherein alternating ones of the plurality of support members extend from the first and second lateral faces of the interconnection member, respectively.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 5 wherein the alternating ones of the plurality of support members are interdigitated in at least the first deployed state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 1 wherein prosthesis comprises a nickel-titanium alloy that exhibits pseudo-elastic behavior at body temperature.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 1 further comprising a coating of biocompatible material extending between the support members to inhibit tissue ingrowth between the support members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 1 wherein a subset of the plurality of support members are of reduced length and include portions defining windows.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 1 wherein the interconnection member and the plurality of support members comprise a wire mesh formed of a shape memory alloy, the wire mesh covered with a non-porous biocompatible material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
167 words
A prosthesis for deployment in a vessel to treat pediatric congenital defects and constrictive diseases, the prosthesis comprising: a wire mesh formed of a shape memory alloy comprising: an interconnection member defining a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of support members extending in a direction away from the longitudinal axis, each one of the support members having a base portion adjoined to the interconnection member, an atraumatic tip, and being tapered from a first width at the base portion to a second width at the tip, the second width smaller than the first width; and a non-porous biocompatible material disposed on the wire mesh, the prosthesis having a first deployed state, at the time of initial deployment, wherein the support members expand radially to a first diameter to support the vessel, and a second deployed state, temporally remote from time of initial deployment and after growth of the vessel, wherein the support members expand to a second diameter, larger than the first diameter, to support the vessel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
167 words
A prosthesis for deployment in a vessel to treat pediatric congenital defects and constrictive diseases, the prosthesis comprising: a wire mesh formed of a shape memory alloy comprising: an interconnection member defining a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of support members extending in a direction away from the longitudinal axis, each one of the support members having a base portion adjoined to the interconnection member, an atraumatic tip, and being tapered from a first width at the base portion to a second width at the tip, the second width smaller than the first width; and a non-porous biocompatible material disposed on the wire mesh, the prosthesis having a first deployed state, at the time of initial deployment, wherein the support members expand radially to a first diameter to support the vessel, and a second deployed state, temporally remote from time of initial deployment and after growth of the vessel, wherein the support members expand to a second diameter, larger than the first diameter, to support the vessel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 11 wherein the support members are inclined at an angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 11 wherein the interconnection member has first and second lateral faces and the plurality of support members all project from the first lateral face.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 13 wherein each base portion has an interior surface and the tip of each support member overlaps the interior surface of the base portion by a predetermined amount.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 13 wherein alternating ones of the plurality of support members extend from the first and second lateral faces of the interconnection member, respectively.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 15 wherein the alternating ones of the plurality of support members are interdigitated in at least the first deployed state.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 11 wherein prosthesis comprises a nickel-titanium alloy that exhibits pseudo-elastic behavior at body temperature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 11 further comprising a coating of biocompatible material extending between the support members to inhibit tissue ingrowth between the support members.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 11 wherein the interconnection member has a portion defining a longitudinally-oriented slot, the longitudinally-oriented slot enabling tissue to grow therethrough to anchor the prosthesis within the vessel.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The prosthesis as defined in claim 11 wherein a subset of the plurality of support members are of reduced length and include portions defining windows.