Patent ID: 8292946

Claim:
A barb-implant combination for retaining an implant in a body lumen, the barb-implant combination comprising at least a first barb element constructed from a first material and adapted to be attached to or comprise a part of the implant and a second barb element adapted to engage a lumen in which the implant is adapted to be deployed, said second barb element comprising a second material different from the first material, wherein the second material is a shape memory material which yields by undergoing a stress induced phase change, said second barb element being adapted to resist any force tending to displace the implant to which the first barb element is attached when that force is below a pre-determined force limit and also being adapted to yield to any force tending to displace the implant when that force exceeds the pre-determined force limit, wherein the first barb element is secured to the implant by a crimp tube in which a plurality of implant elements are also secured, said plurality of implant elements comprising a first wire having a first wire end extending into and terminating in a first end of the crimp tube and a second wire having a second wire end extending into and terminating in a second end of the crimp tube, wherein the first wire end and the second wire end are secured within the crimp tube such that the crimp tube wraps around the first wire end and the second wire end.