Patent ID: 7235097
Filing Date: 2007-06-26
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An expandable tubular member comprising a plurality of unit cells, each unit cell comprising a first segment having proximal and distal ends and a substantially sinusoidal shape, and a second segment having proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the first segment being coupled to the proximal end of the second segment, the distal end of the first segment being coupled to the distal end of the second segment, the second segment being more flexible than the first segment, wherein the unit cell has a stable contracted state in which the second segment substantially conforms to the sinusoidal shape of the first segment, and a deployed state in which the second segment has a convex shape bowed away from the first segment, wherein around a circumference of the expandable tubular member, two second segments are disposed between every two first segments and coupled directly to one another.