ANCHORING MECHANISMS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENDOLUMINAL DEVICES
Devices and methods for occluding airways in at least one direction are disclosed. In some cases, the devices include anchoring mechanisms configured to keep an operative portion of the device (e.g., a valve) in position along a length of a lumen in which the device is deployed. The anchoring mechanisms can include anchors configured to settle into the lumen walls with little or no axial movement of the operative portion of the device. In some embodiments, the anchoring mechanisms include a secondary set of anchors configured to engage with the lumen wall to reduce, inhibit, or prevent axial movement of the operative portion of the device when the primary anchors settle into the walls of the lumen.
1 . A mechanism for anchoring endoluminal devices to a lumen, the mechanism comprising:
a hub member configured to be located at a predetermined location inside the lumen; and
a plurality of anchoring struts, the plurality of anchoring struts comprising:
a spring portion attached to the hub member and configured to extend or contract during expansion and contraction of the lumen; and
an anchoring portion connecting the spring portion to the lumen, the anchoring portion configured to penetrate a portion of the lumen;
wherein the hub member is positioned on a plane with the anchoring portions of the plurality of anchoring struts.
2 . The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the anchoring portion comprises a bidirectional anchoring tip comprising a first tip pointed to a first direction and a second tip pointed to a second direction at an angle from the first direction, wherein at least a portion of the first tip penetrates the lumen in a transverse direction to the lumen.
3 . The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of anchoring struts comprise equal lengths.
4 . The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein each of the spring portions of the plurality of anchoring struts extends radially outward from the hub member.
5 . The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein each of the spring portion of the plurality of anchoring struts comprise a helically coiled spring.
6 . The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein each of the spring portion of the plurality of anchoring struts comprise bent strut members configured to straighten during expansion of the lumen and bend during contraction of the lumen.
7 . The mechanism of claim 6 , wherein the bent strut members comprise a vortex shape when viewed along a longitudinal axis of the lumen.
8 . The mechanism of claim 6 , wherein the bent strut members comprise a spiral shape when viewed along a longitudinal axis of the lumen.
9 . The mechanism of claim 6 , wherein each of the bent strut members comprise undulating strut members having a substantially straight shape when viewed in a transverse direction.
10 . The mechanism of claim 6 , wherein the bent strut members comprise one or more thin portions and one or more thick portions thicker than the thin portions.
11 . The mechanism of claim 1 , wherein the hub member comprises a first hub and a second hub collinear and connected to the first hub, wherein the plurality of anchoring struts are connected to the first hub.
12 . An endoluminal device comprising:
an operative portion configured to obstruct fluid flow inside the lumen;
a hub member, the hub member connected to the operative portion and comprising a hub and a centering rod; and
a plurality of anchoring struts, the plurality of anchoring struts comprising:
a strut portion attached to the hub member and configured to expand and contract in response to expansion and contraction of the lumen; and
an anchoring portion connecting the deflectable portion to the lumen;
wherein the hub member substantially remains on or near an axial line of the lumen during movement of the lumen.
13 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the strut portion is connected to a sliding hub configured to slide along a length of the centering rod.
14 . The device of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of anchoring struts comprise a plurality of quadrilateral-shaped members.
15 . The device of claim 14 , wherein each of the quadrilateral-shaped members lies on a separate plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the device.
16 . A mechanism for anchoring endoluminal devices to a lumen, the mechanism comprising:
a hub member;
a plurality of distal anchoring struts connected to the hub member and extending radially and distally from the hub member and bending in a proximal direction, each of the plurality of distal anchoring struts comprising anchoring tips; and
a plurality of opposing anchor struts connected to the hub member and extending proximally and radially from the hub member and bending in a distal direction, each of the plurality of opposing anchor struts comprising opposing anchor tips;
wherein the distal anchoring struts and the opposing anchoring struts are configured to pinch a portion of the lumen.
17 . (canceled)
18 . (canceled)