Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
1 . An expandable annular ring with a uni-flow mechanism for implantation in a valvular annulus of a patient comprising a plurality of stenting elements evenly spaced along said annular ring, wherein said stenting elements are made of a shape-memory material, the shape-memory material having a preshape and a shape-transition temperature, wherein the shape-memory material expands to its preshape so as to expand the annular ring when said shape-memory material is heated to above the shape-transition temperature.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
77 words
1 . An expandable annular ring with a uni-flow mechanism for implantation in a valvular annulus of a patient comprising a plurality of stenting elements evenly spaced along said annular ring, wherein said stenting elements are made of a shape-memory material, the shape-memory material having a preshape and a shape-transition temperature, wherein the shape-memory material expands to its preshape so as to expand the annular ring when said shape-memory material is heated to above the shape-transition temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
2 . The expandable annular ring with a uni-flow mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said shape-memory material is selected from a group consisting of shape-memory Nitinol, shape-memory plastic, and combination thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
3 . The expandable annular ring with a uni-flow mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein said uni-flow mechanism comprises a plurality of valvular cusps configured for allowing fluid to flow through the annular ring in one direction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
4 . The expandable annular ring with a uni-flow mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the shape-transition temperature for said shape-memory material is between about 39° C. and about 90° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
108 words
5 . An expandable annular ring for implantation in a valvular annulus comprising: a plurality of stenting elements made of a first shape-memory material having a first preshape and a first shape-transition temperature, wherein the first shape-memory material expands to the first preshape when said first shape-memory material is heated to above the first shape-transition temperature; and a plurality of anchoring elements made of a second shape-memory material having a second preshape and a second shape-transition temperature that is higher than the first shape-transition temperature, wherein the second shape-memory material expands to the second preshape when said second shape-memory material is heated to above the second shape-transition temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
108 words
5 . An expandable annular ring for implantation in a valvular annulus comprising: a plurality of stenting elements made of a first shape-memory material having a first preshape and a first shape-transition temperature, wherein the first shape-memory material expands to the first preshape when said first shape-memory material is heated to above the first shape-transition temperature; and a plurality of anchoring elements made of a second shape-memory material having a second preshape and a second shape-transition temperature that is higher than the first shape-transition temperature, wherein the second shape-memory material expands to the second preshape when said second shape-memory material is heated to above the second shape-transition temperature.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
6 . The expandable annular ring according to claim 5 , wherein said first and second shape-memory materials are selected from a group consisting of shape-memory Nitinol, shape-memory plastic, and combination thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
7 . The expandable annular ring according to claim 5 further comprising a uni-flow mechanism for allowing fluid to flow through said annular ring in one direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
8 . The expandable annular ring according to claim 5 , wherein said plurality of stenting elements are evenly spaced along said annular ring configured for enabling essentially uniform ring distension in a circumferential direction when said first shape-memory material is heated to above the first shape-transition temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
9 . The expandable annular ring according to claim 5 , wherein the first shape-transition temperature is between about 39° C. and about 90° C.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
68 words
10 . The expandable annular ring according to claim 5 , each anchoring element comprising a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the proximal ends of said anchoring elements are secured at an periphery of the annular ring configured for enabling the distal ends of said anchoring elements positioning in a radially outward direction when said second shape-memory material is heated to above the second shape-transition temperature.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
11 . The expandable annular ring according to claim 5 , wherein the second shape-transition temperature is between about 40° C. and about 90° C.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
12 . The expandable annular ring according to claims 5 and 7 , wherein said first shape-memory material is embedded within a biocompatible substrate selected from a group consisting of silicone, polyurethane, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, semi-permeable material, biodegradable material, collagen, and mixture of said biocompatible substrate thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
13 . The expandable annular ring according to claim 12 further comprising a therapeutic agent loaded within said biocompatible substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
14 . The expandable annular ring according to claims 13 , wherein the therapeutic agent is heparin.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
15 . The expandable annular ring according to claims 13 , wherein the therapeutic agent is an anti-inflammatory agent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
16 . The expandable annular ring according to claims 13 , wherein the therapeutic agent is an antibiotics.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
17 . The expandable annular ring according to claims 13 , wherein the therapeutic agent is an anti-proliferative agent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
123 words
18 . A method for implanting an expandable annular ring having a plurality of stenting elements made of a first shape-memory material with a first shape-transition temperature and a plurality of anchoring elements made of a second shape-memory material with a second shape-transition temperature that is higher than the first shape-transition temperature in a valvular annulus of a patient, the method comprising steps of: (a) delivering said annular ring to the valvular annulus; (b) expanding said annular ring to intimately contact an inner wall of the valvular annulus by heating the first shape-memory material above the first shape-transition temperature; and (c) deploying the anchoring elements to penetrate into a surrounding annulus tissue by heating the second shape-memory material above the second shape-transition temperature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
123 words
18 . A method for implanting an expandable annular ring having a plurality of stenting elements made of a first shape-memory material with a first shape-transition temperature and a plurality of anchoring elements made of a second shape-memory material with a second shape-transition temperature that is higher than the first shape-transition temperature in a valvular annulus of a patient, the method comprising steps of: (a) delivering said annular ring to the valvular annulus; (b) expanding said annular ring to intimately contact an inner wall of the valvular annulus by heating the first shape-memory material above the first shape-transition temperature; and (c) deploying the anchoring elements to penetrate into a surrounding annulus tissue by heating the second shape-memory material above the second shape-transition temperature.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
19 . The method according to claims 18 , wherein the annular ring further comprises a uni-flow mechanism that allows fluid to flow through said annular ring in one direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
20 . The method according to claims 18 , wherein the step for delivering said annular ring to the valvular annulus is through a percutaneous opening of the patient.