Geometric flow regulator

1 . A tubular implant for obstructing blood flow through a blood vessel, the implant comprising:

an outer surface having a geometry of a tube, at least a portion of which is adapted for contacting a blood vessel; and

an inner surface defining a passage through which blood flows, wherein the distance between the inner surface and the outer surface is non-uniform along an axis of the tube.

2 . An implant according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the inner and outer walls are continuous.

3 . An implant according to claim 1 , wherein at least one portion of the distance is hollow.

4 . An implant according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one hollow portion is adapted to be inflated.

5 . An implant according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of the outer and inner surfaces is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flow passage.

6 . An implant according to claim 3 , wherein at least one of the outer and inner surfaces is non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flow passage.

7 . An implant for obstructing blood flow in a blood vessel, the implant comprising:

a tubular wall defining a flow passage adapted for encircling a flow of blood through a vessel; and

one or more positionally adjustable flaps projecting from the wall into the blood flow.

8 . An implant according to claim 7 , wherein the one or more flaps comprise two or more flaps.

9 . An implant for obstructing blood flow in a blood vessel, the implant comprising:

a tubular wall defining a flow passage adapted for encircling a flow of blood through a vessel;

two or more positionally adjustable flaps each connected at one end to the tubular wall; and

one or more guide elements connecting the two or more flaps, operative to maintain the two or more flaps in a position in which they partially block the flow passage.

10 . The implant according to claim 9 wherein the one or more guide elements deform or break under pressure.

11 . The implant according to claim 9 , wherein the one or more guide elements comprise two or more guide elements.

12 . The implant according to claim 11 wherein the two or more guide elements have different pressure thresholds at which they deform or break.

13 . An implant for obstructing blood flow in a blood vessel, the implant comprising:

a tubular wall defining a flow passage adapted for encircling a flow of blood through a vessel; and

at least one non-overlapping flap projecting from the wall into the blood flow.

14 . An implant according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one flap is substantially planar with a surface of the tubular wall.

15 . An implant according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one flap is substantially non-planar with a surface of the tubular wall.

16 . An implant according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one flap is positionally adjustable.

17 . An implant according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one flap comprises at least two non-overlapping flaps.

18 . An implant according to claim 13 , comprising a kit that additionally includes a flap angle adjusting tool, the tool comprising a shaft having one or more wing projections adapted to press against one or more flow obstructing flaps.

19 . The implant according to claim 18 , wherein the one or more wings of the tool are activated in one or both of the following ways:

mechanically; and

inflatably.

20 . An implant for obstructing blood flow in a blood vessel, the implant comprising:

a tubular wall defining a flow passage adapted for encircling a flow of blood through a vessel and least one wire of varying effective width adapted to at least partially obstruct blood flow.

21 . An implant according to claim 20 , wherein the at least one wire curves in a plane of the width of the wire.

22 . An implant according to claim 20 , wherein the at least one wire is connected to an object.

23 . An implant according to claim 20 , wherein the at least one wire comprises at least two wires.

24 . An implant according to claim 23 , wherein the at least two wires are interconnected.

25 . An implant according to claim 24 , wherein the interconnection comprises at least one curved member.

26 . An implant according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the implant is adapted to change configuration upon absorption of fluid.

27 . An implant according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the implant comprises resilient materials.

28 . An implant according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the implant comprises shape memory materials.

29 . An implant according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the implant is adapted to be inflated.

30 . A method of modifying an implant geometry, of a tubular implant with at least one intra-luminal flap, comprising:

contacting at least one intra-lumen flap of an implanted vascular implant with an effector element; and

bending said flap by applying force via said contact.

31 . A method according to claim 30 , wherein contacting comprises pulling said element towards said flap.

32 . A method according to claim 30 , wherein contacting comprises pushing said element towards said flap.

33 . A method according to claim 32 , wherein pushing comprises pushing with enough force to tear an element restraining of said flap.

34 . A method according to claim 30 , wherein said element comprises a mechanically expandable element.

35 . A method according to claim 30 , wherein said element comprises a mechanically expandable element.

36 . An implant comprising:

a radially expandable tubular sheath; and

at least one flap welded to said sheath and configured to at least partially and rigidly obstruct a lumen of said sheath.

37 . An implant according to claim 36 , wherein said tubular sheath comprises a wire mesh sheath.

38 . An implant according to claim 36 , comprising at least two flaps and comprising at least one restraining element interconnecting said flaps and limiting their movement relative to each other.

39 . An implant according to claim 38 , wherein said restraining element is adapted to be torn by applying force to one or more flaps, while implanted.