Patent ID: 8715227

Claim:
Apparatus suitable for treating a medical condition at a target site, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of strands, each having proximal and distal regions, wherein the plurality of strands are twisted in a generally helical manner to form a tubular shape having a longitudinal axis; wherein the proximal and distal regions of each of the plurality of strands comprise a contracted configuration adapted for delivery to the target site; and wherein the distal region of at least one of the plurality of strands is uncoupled to the distal regions of the other strands, thereby allowing the distal region of the uncoupled strand to be selectively moved in a radially outward direction relative to the other strands to facilitate treatment of the medical condition, wherein the cross-sectional shape of at least one of the plurality of strands comprises a curved inner region and a tapered outer region transitioning into a sharpened member, wherein the sharpened member is adapted to facilitate treatment of the medical condition.