Flow reducing implant
An intra-vascular balloon ( 110 ), comprising a balloon body ( 1010 ); and at least one springy and elongate stave ( 1030 ) attached to said balloon and conforming to a surface of said balloon, such that said stave can apply contact force to an object in contact with said balloon.
1 . An intra-vascular balloon, comprising:
a balloon body, and
at least one springy and elongate stave attached to said balloon and conforming to a surface of said balloon, such that said stave can apply contact force to an object in contact with said balloon.
2 . A balloon according to claim 1 , wherein said balloon is elongate and wherein said stave is provided along a long dimension of said balloon.
3 . A balloon according to claim 1 , comprising a tether attached to said balloon.
4 . A balloon according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one stave comprise a plurality of staves arranged around said balloon.
5 . A balloon according to claim 4 , wherein said plurality of staves are attached to each other at their ends.
6 . A balloon according to claim 5 , wherein said staves modify a geometry of said balloon when not inflated.
7 . A balloon according to claim 6 , wherein said staves are configured to compact said balloon in a resting condition thereof.
8 . A balloon according to claim 6 , wherein said staves are configured to apply radially outwards pressure in a resting condition thereof.
9 . A balloon according to claim 5 , wherein said staves are distortable by an expansion of said balloon.
10 . A balloon according to claim 1 , wherein said balloon is formed of an elastic material.
11 . A balloon according to claim 4 , wherein said plurality of staves are configured to substantially surround said balloon when said balloon is collapsed.
12 . A vascular implant, comprising:
a flexible band having a diameter suitable for implantation in a blood vessel; and
a plurality of elongate axial elements mounted on said band.
13 . An implant according to claim 12 , wherein said flexible band is thin.
14 . An implant according to claim 12 , wherein said flexible band has a thickness suitable for restricting blood flow
15 . An implant according to claim 12 , wherein said flexible band has a length substantially smaller than a length of said elements.
16 . An implant according to claim 12 , wherein said flexible band is elastic.
17 . A blood flow reducing implant, comprising a body defining a flow channel having an cross-section which is progressively restricted along an axial direction, in which the smallest diameter of a cross-section is sized for passage of a guidewire and blockage of substantially all blood-flow therethrough.
18 . An implant according to claim 17 , wherein said cross-section is monotonicly restricted along said direction.
19 . An implant according to claim 17 , wherein said smallest diameter blocks over 95% of blood flow through said implant.
20 . An implant according to claim 17 , wherein said smallest diameter is restricted by an elastic sheath.