Patent ID: 6129754
Filing Date: 2000-10-10
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An expandable reinforcing member, comprising:at least two cylindrical hollow mesh portions situated away from each other along an axial direction of the reinforcing member, each hollow mesh portion having a plurality of openings arranged circularly in the hollow mesh portion,a connecting portion situated between the two hollow mesh portions for connecting the same, said connecting portion having a plurality of tortuous lines to define hollow areas therein, each hollow area being surrounded by two of the tortuous lines and edges of the hollow mesh portions, a number of the tortuous lines in the connecting portion being less than that of the openings circularly arranged in the hollow mesh portion adjacent the connecting portion, each of the tortuous lines having end sections connected to the respective hollow mesh portions and a center section between the end sections so that said end sections and center section, in a non-expanded condition of the reinforcing member, extend substantially along a central axis of the reinforcing member, and said center section, in an expanded condition, is oriented obliquely relative to the end sections while the end sections extend substantially along the central axis in the expanded condition, anda marker formed in one of the tortuous lines and located in a middle thereof between the two hollow mesh portions so that a position of the connecting portion is identified at a time of installation of the reinforcing member.