Patent ID: 9393135
Filing Date: 2016-07-19
CPC Classification: A61F,A61L

Claim Text:
1. An implantable medical device comprising: a polymeric frame structure having at least two hoop components arranged in spaced apart relationship along a longitudinal axis, wherein adjacent hoop components are interconnected by at least one flexible connector, each of the hoop components being formed as a continuous series of substantially longitudinally oriented radial strut members and alternating substantially circumferentially oriented radial arc members connected in a repeating arrangement to form a substantially sinusoidal pattern, the at least one flexible connector being connected between longitudinally adjacent radial arc members, each end of each of the radial strut members having a reduced cross section hinge region configured such that when the frame structure is expanded, strain is concentrated in each hinge region, wherein each hinge region is formed at opposing ends of one of the radial strut members by a transition region that exhibits a tapering cross section from an increased cross section middle region formed longitudinally by opposing convex surfaces, wherein each radial arc member has a cross section greater than the increased cross section middle region and wherein the increased cross section middle region has a cross section greater than a remainder of the radial strut.