Patent ID: 6368355
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A structure for treating an organ or vessel comprising:a main portion defining a longitudinal axis and having a delivery state wherein the main portion is compressed to a reduced diameter for transluminal delivery and a deployed state wherein the main portion has an expanded first diameter, the main portion self-expanding from the delivery state to the deployed state, the main portion comprising a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinal segments extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, ends of the longitudinal segments being interconnected by connecting elements that are substantially non-orthogonal to the longitudinal segments, an angle between the longitudinal segments and respective connecting elements changing as the main portion expands from the delivery state to the deployed state; and a branch portion having a delivery state wherein the branch portion is compressed to approximately the reduced diameter for transluminal delivery and a deployed state wherein the branch portion has an expanded second diameter, the second diameter smaller than the first diameter, the branch portion self-expanding from the delivery state to the deployed state, the branch portion comprising a plurality of spaced-apart longitudinal segments extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, ends of the longitudinal segments being interconnected by connecting elements that are substantially non-orthogonal to the longitudinal segments, an angle between the longitudinal segments and respective connecting elements changing as the branch portion expands from the delivery state to the deployed; wherein a link portion of the main portion forms a flexible linkage joining the branch portion to the main portion, the link portion forming part of the branch portion.