Medinvent S.a.

Christian Imbert

Hans I Wallsten

A resilient, elastic self-expanding prosthesis comprising a flexible tubular body, the diameter of which is variable under axial movement of the ends of the body relative to each other, said body being composed of several individual rigid but resiliently flexible thread elements with spring properties each of which extends in helix configuration with the center line of the body as a common axis, a number of elements having same direction of winding but being axially displaced relative to each other crossing a number of elements also axially displaced relative to each other but having the opposite direction of winding to form a braided structure, characterized in that the residual tension of the thread elements as they form the structural elements of the tubular body, at least at the end sections thereof, is such that the diameter of the unloaded helix-shaped thread element, at least at the end sections thereof, when removed from the other elements forming the tubular body is not more than about 60% and preferably at most about 30% greater than the diameter of the said body in an unloaded state; and processes for the manufacture of such self-expanding prosthesis.

Self-expanding prosthesis

A device for implantation by insertion into a difficulty accessible location of a substantially tubular, radially expandable prosthesis including in combination such prosthesis and concentric therewith a flexible probe provided with an arrangement for maintaining said prosthesis in a radially contracted state and for releasing same at the desired location. The arrangement includes a hose concentrically surrounding the probe and radially surrounding the prosthesis to form a compartment therefor. The probe has a central axial channel enabling supply of a liquid flushing medium at its other end and the probe is provided with at least one radial aperture opening into the prosthesis compartment to enable flushing of the prosthesis compartment to remove gases therefrom before implantation.

Device for transluminal implantation

A device for transluminal implantation of a substantially tubular, radially expansible prosthesis (2), comprising in combination such prosthesis (2) and concentric therewith a flexible probe (1) with means (200) for maintaining said prosthesis (2) in a radially contracted state and for releasing same at the desired location, said means for maintaining and releasing the prothesis comprising a hose (5) concentrically surrounding said probe (1), one end of said hose being connected to the probe (1), and the hose (5) being folded inside itself to form a double-walled section (51, 52) radially surrounding the prothesis (2), the latter being releasable by axial relative movement of the ends of the hose, characterized by inflatable balloon means (30) positioned between said probe (1) and said prosthesis (2) and substantially coextensive with the latter, whereby after releasing the prosthesis at the desired location in the lumen controlled expansion of the prosthesis and the surrounding lumen wall can be achieved by inflating the balloon means; and a method of transluminal implantation using such device.

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Mezieres, Switzerland

Christian Imbert