The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 08, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 09, 1998
Michael J. Vonesh, Flagstaff, AZ (US);
Edward H. Cully, Flagstaff, AZ (US);
Gerald R. Martin, Flagstaff, AZ (US);
Steven R. Bruun, Flagstaff, AZ (US);
Dennis L. Salzmann, Flagstaff, AZ (US);
Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc., Newark, DE (US);
Abstract
An improved device for use in a conduit, such as a blood vessel, is provided. The device uniquely combines desirable properties from two distinct previous devices. The device of the present invention assumes and is constrained to a first diametrical dimension for insertion into the conduit. Once inserted and properly positioned in the conduit the device expands to a second diametrical dimension within the conduit when the constraint is removed. The device can then be dilated to one or more enlarged third diametrical dimensions by using a balloon catheter or similar device. The result is a device that provides desirable properties of both self-expanding stents and balloon-expandable endoprostheses. The device can be employed in a variety of applications.