COVERED FLOW MODIFYING APPARATUS
A flow modifying apparatus may include a plurality of struts coupled together to form a radially expandable frame having a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal and distal ends may be radially expandable into expanded proximal and distal ends. A reduced diameter portion of the expandable frame may be disposed between the expanded proximal and distal ends and the reduced diameter portion may comprise a fluid flow through passage. A cover may be disposed over at least a portion of the radially expandable frame. The reduced diameter portion modifies fluid flow therethrough immediately upon implantation thereof and forms a pressure gradient between the inflow end and the reduced diameter portion.
1 . (canceled)
2 . A flow modifying apparatus comprising:
a plurality of struts coupled together to form a radially expandable frame having a first end portion and a second end portion, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion are radially expandable into expanded first and second end portions, respectively, wherein the flow modifying apparatus extends from a first end of the radially expandable frame to a second end of the radially expandable frame;
a reduced diameter portion of the expandable frame disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein the reduced diameter portion comprises a fluid flow through passage, wherein when the first and second end portions have expanded into the expanded first and second end portions, the first and second expanded end portions each comprise flared portions that flare outwardly from the reduced diameter portion toward the first and second ends, respectively, of the radially expandable frame; and
a cover covering at least a portion of the flared portion of the first end portion, wherein the cover is spaced from the reduced diameter portion, wherein the reduced diameter portion modifies fluid flow therethrough immediately upon implantation thereof and forms a pressure gradient between the first end and the reduced diameter portion of the expandable frame.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the pressure gradient is greatest between the first end of the apparatus and the reduced diameter portion.
4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a velocity of the fluid flow is greatest in the reduced diameter portion.
5 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cover is disposed over an outer surface of the radially expandable frame.
6 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cover is disposed over an inner surface of the radially expandable frame.
7 . The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising a second cover covering at least a portion of the flared portion of the second end portion, wherein the second cover is spaced from the reduced diameter portion.
8 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cover comprises a polymer, a fabric, a synthetic material, tissue, or combinations thereof.
9 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cover is configured to prevent or minimize an inflammatory response by a vessel wall.
10 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the reduced diameter portion comprises a diameter between 2 to 4 mm.
11 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the plurality of struts form a plurality of rectangular slots when the expandable frame is in a collapsed configuration, and wherein the plurality of rectangular slots expand into diamond shapes when the expandable frame is in a radially expanded configuration, and wherein the diamond shapes have a height and a length, and wherein the height decreases from the first and second ends toward a center point disposed therebetween.
12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the length decreases from the first and second ends toward the center point.
13 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the flow modifying apparatus is self-expanding or balloon expandable.
14 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cover extends over up to 40% of a length of the flow modifying apparatus.
15 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cover is spaced from the first end of the radially expandable frame such that the cover is located only on the flared portion of the first end portion.
16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the cover forms a continuous conical shape from a first end of the cover that is adjacent the first end of the radially expandable frame to a second end of the cover that is adjacent the reduced diameter portion.
17 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein one of the first and second ends is smaller than the other of the first and second ends.
18 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the first portion is an outflow portion of the apparatus and the second portion is an inflow portion of the apparatus.
19 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the cover extends up to the first end of the first end of the radially expandable frame.
20 . A system for delivering a flow modifying implant, said system comprising:
the flow modifying implant of claim 2 ; and
a delivery catheter.