Methods and devices for changing the shape of a medical device
A medical device is movable between first and second positions. The medical device has an actuator which is movable between a relaxed position and a stacked position. The stacked position of the actuator deforms the medical device toward the stacked position of the actuator. When the actuator is in the relaxed position, the shape of the medical device is primarily determined by the shape of a main element.
1 - 38 . (canceled)
39 . A method of changing the shape of a medical device in a patient, comprising the steps of:
providing a medical device having a main element and an actuating element, the main element being movable between expanded and collapsed positions, the main element being naturally biased toward the expanded position, the actuating element extending around the main element and being movable relative to the main element between a stacked position and a relaxed position;
delivering the main element into a patient with the main element in the collapsed position, the main element being held in the collapsed position by the actuating element, the actuating element being in the compressed position;
moving the actuating element to the relaxed position thereby permitting the main element to move toward the expanded position.
40 . The method of claim 39 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the main element being a wire.
41 . The method of claim 39 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the actuating element being a coil wrapped around the main element.
42 . The method of claim 41 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the coil having a varying thickness, wherein the stacked position of the coil aligns segments having relatively smaller thickness.
43 . The method of claim 41 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the coil being stacked when in the compressed position.
44 . The method of claim 41 , wherein:
the coil is wound around the main element at an angle of 60 to 90 degrees relative to a longitudinal axis of the main element.
45 . The method of claim 39 , further comprising the step of:
using the medical device to perform a procedure in the patient.
46 . The method of claim 45 , wherein:
the using step is carried out with the procedure being a procedure selected from the group consisting of cardiac, vascular, tracheobronchial, gastrointestinal, urological and contraceptive.
47 . The method of claim 39 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the main element being non-circular and the actuating element being mounted around and slidable on the main element, the main element maintaining an angular orientation of the actuating element with respect to the main element.
48 . The method of claim 39 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the actuating element having a number of independent elements.
49 . The method of claim 48 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the independent elements each having a throughhole for receiving the main element.
50 . The method of claim 39 , further comprising the step of:
separating at least part of the main element from the medical device and leaving the separated part of the main element in the patient.
51 . The method of claim 39 , wherein:
the delivering step is carried out with the device being advanced through a narrowed region of a blood vessel, the device being advanced through the narrowed region with the actuating element in the stacked position thereby holding the main element in the collapsed position, the device being advanced by itself through the narrowed region without use of a delivery catheter.
52 . The method of claim 39 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the actuating element being a hypotube.
53 . The method of claim 39 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the hypotube being cut helically.
54 . A medical device which is movable between a first shape and a second shape, the medical device comprising:
a first elongate member; and
a second elongate member which assumes a predefined shape when placed under compression;
wherein the first and second elongate members are coupled to one another at least one location so that the first member may be tensioned to compress the second member and cause the first and second members to assume the predefined shape.
55 . The medical device of claim 54 , wherein:
the second elongate member has a plurality of opposing surfaces positioned along the first elongate member, the plurality of opposing surfaces sliding against one another when the second elongate member is compressed.
56 . The medical device of claim 54 , wherein:
the second elongate member is a coil.
57 . The medical device of claim 54 , wherein:
the second elongate member slides over the first elongate member.
58 . The medical device of claim 54 , wherein:
the second elongate member moves the first elongate member from an expanded shape to a collapsed shape when the second member is compressed.
59 . The medical device of claim 54 , wherein:
the second elongate member is compressed until a stacked condition is achieved.
60 . The medical device of claim 54 , wherein:
the second elongate member is made of a plurality of independent elements.
61 . The medical device of claim 54 , wherein:
the plurality of independent elements are rings.
62 . The medical device of claims 20 or 41 , wherein:
the providing step is carried out with the coil being coupled to the main element at a position proximal to the distal end of the coil to leave a distal coil portion.
63 . The medical device of claims 26 or 56 , wherein:
the first element is coupled to the coil at a location proximal to a distal end of the coil to leave a distal coil portion, the distal coil portion being unchanged when the second element moving to and from the predefined shape.
64 - 98 . (canceled)