Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of forming a medical device for deployment in a channel in a patient's body, the device having a preset expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration enabling passage of the device through a catheter, comprising the steps of: a) providing a fabric formed of a plurality of strands having a first relative orientation with respect to one another, the strands being formed of a material which can be heat treated to substantially set a desired shape; b) generally conforming the fabric to an internal surface of a molding element to substantially define the device's expanded configuration; c) treating the fabric while conformed to the internal surface of the molding element to substantially set the strands in their expanded configuration; and d) removing the fabric from contact with the internal surface of the molding element, whereby the fabric defines a medical device which can be deformed into its collapsed configuration for passage through a catheter for deployment in a channel of a patient's body, and which substantially resumes its preset expanded configuration in such channel.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of forming a medical device for deployment in a channel in a patient's body, the device having a preset expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration enabling passage of the device through a catheter, comprising the steps of: a) providing a fabric formed of a plurality of strands having a first relative orientation with respect to one another, the strands being formed of a material which can be heat treated to substantially set a desired shape; b) generally conforming the fabric to an internal surface of a molding element to substantially define the device's expanded configuration; c) treating the fabric while conformed to the internal surface of the molding element to substantially set the strands in their expanded configuration; and d) removing the fabric from contact with the internal surface of the molding element, whereby the fabric defines a medical device which can be deformed into its collapsed configuration for passage through a catheter for deployment in a channel of a patient's body, and which substantially resumes its preset expanded configuration in such channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the molding element comprises a plurality of mold sections, each mold section having an internal surface, the mold sections being assembled such that the internal surfaces of the mold sections together define the internal surface of the molding element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the mold sections are assembled about the fabric to substantially enclose the fabric within the molding element.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of forming a medical device for deployment in a channel in a patient's body, the device having a preset expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration enabling passage of the device through a catheter, comprising the steps of: a) providing a fabric formed of a plurality of strands having a first relative orientation with respect to one another, said strands each having a proximal end and a distal end, and said strands being formed of a material which can be heat treated to substantially set a desired shape; b) securing at least one of the proximal end and distal end of said strands at a common endpoint; c) generally conforming the fabric to a molding element to substantially define a shape of an expanded configuration of the device; d) treating the fabric while conformed to the molding element to substantially set the strands in the shape of the expanded configuration of the device; and e) removing the fabric from contact with the molding element, whereby the device formed thereby can be deformed into a collapsed configuration for passage through a catheter for deployment in a channel of a patient's body, and which substantially resumes the expanded configuration in such channel.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
201 words
A method of forming a medical device for deployment in a channel in a patient's body, the device having a preset expanded configuration and a collapsed configuration enabling passage of the device through a catheter, comprising the steps of: a) providing a fabric formed of a plurality of strands having a first relative orientation with respect to one another, said strands each having a proximal end and a distal end, and said strands being formed of a material which can be heat treated to substantially set a desired shape; b) securing at least one of the proximal end and distal end of said strands at a common endpoint; c) generally conforming the fabric to a molding element to substantially define a shape of an expanded configuration of the device; d) treating the fabric while conformed to the molding element to substantially set the strands in the shape of the expanded configuration of the device; and e) removing the fabric from contact with the molding element, whereby the device formed thereby can be deformed into a collapsed configuration for passage through a catheter for deployment in a channel of a patient's body, and which substantially resumes the expanded configuration in such channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 4 , further including attaching a clamp to an end of said strands secured at the common endpoint.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 5 , wherein said clamp has a threaded bore adapted for rotationally receiving a delivery device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein after removing the fabric from contact with the molding element, further including the step of attaching an occluding fiber to said fabric.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the device is shaped to be suitable for use as a vascular trap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the device is shaped to be suitable for use as a vascular graft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the device is shaped to be suitable for use as a vascular plug.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the device is shaped to be suitable for use to occlude an atrial septal defect.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the device is shaped to be suitable for use to occlude a ventricular septal defect.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 4 , wherein the device is shaped to be suitable for use to occlude a patent ductus arteriosus.