Patent ID: 8920486
Filing Date: 2014-12-30
Classification: A61B,A61F

Abstract:
1. A method comprising: inserting a unitary apparatus in a first compressed position into a passageway of a living being, wherein the apparatus has a length along a first axis, a width along a second axis and a depth along a third axis that is perpendicular to the second axis, wherein the length is configured to travel substantially along a longitudinal axis of the passageway; and expanding the apparatus to a second position, wherein the apparatus is configured to: a) expand a first strut along the width of the unitary apparatus at substantially two opposing directions until it reaches an interior surface of the passageway to form two opposing outer surfaces of the first strut along the apparatus's width that are separated by a first inner diameter of the apparatus; and b) expand a second strut along its depth of the unitary apparatus at substantially two opposing directions until it reaches the interior surface of the passageway to form two opposing outer surfaces of the second strut along the apparatus's depth that are separated by a second inner diameter of the apparatus; and wherein after expanding the first strut and the second strut, the apparatus comprises a plurality of markers that are separated by a predetermined distance along the first strut and the second strut within the inner diameter of the apparatus, and configured to be detected by an imaging device, such that when the plurality of markers are detected by the imaging equipment it allows an indication of an orientation of the apparatus and a diameter of the passageway.