Patent ID: 6423090
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A medical device, comprising:a generally tubular body defined by at least one annular element, said body having a first end and a second end; and said annular element including a first deformable portion having a first cross-sectional profile characterized by having a first mass and a second deformable portion having a second cross-sectional profile characterized by having a second mass that is larger than the first mass, said first deformable portion being more easily deformed than said second deformable portion and said first and second deformable portions each having a substantially completely deformed configuration, said annular element capable of assuming a partially enlarged and a substantially fully enlarged configuration; wherein upon application of a radially directed load of a first magnitude, said first deformable portion deforms into said substantially completely deformed configuration such that said annular element assumes its partially enlarged configuration prior to deformation of said second deformable portion.