Patent ID: 7988662

Claim:
A spreader structure for insertion into a hollow organ, said spreader structure comprising: an elongated body having a circumference and a longitudinal axis; a first connecting section located at one end of the elongated body; a second connecting section located at a second end of the elongated body opposite the first connecting section; a plurality of spreader rods radiating from the first connecting section, extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of said elongated body to the second connecting section, and distributed over the circumference of the elongated body and wherein the spreader rods are positionable against a wall of the hollow organ by means of radial expansion, wherein said spreader rods contain a non-linear segment having inner and outer surfaces, wherein the non-linear segment comprises substantially alternating curved sections at the inner and outer surfaces when in a collapsed state; and at least one area of said spreader rods along the longitudinal axis having reduced flexural stiffness in comparison to adjacent areas thereto.