Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
In a transluminal graft (1; 206) having a spring assembly (12, 31; 301, 302, 303) with a barb (10; 205), an improvement in the barb comprising: a body (400) positioned around an arm (15; 203) of the spring assembly and a first attachment arm (401) extending longitudinally from the body, wherein the body is attached to the spring assembly arm, and the first attachment arm includes an end (402) positioned toward an exterior (403) of the spring assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a transluminal graft (1; 206) having a spring assembly (12, 31; 301, 302, 303) with a barb (10; 205), an improvement in the barb comprising: a body (400) positioned around an arm (15; 203) of the spring assembly and a first attachment arm (401) extending longitudinally from the body, wherein the body is attached to the spring assembly arm, and the first attachment arm includes an end (402) positioned toward an exterior (403) of the spring assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein the first attachment arm of the barb extends longitudinally along the spring assembly arm and in an interior (404) of the spring assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein the body includes a coil (405) having a passage (406) with the spring assembly arm extending longitudinally therethrough and wherein the first attachment arm extends from the coil.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein the coil is a wire coil and is fixedly attached to the spring assembly arm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement of claim 4 wherein the wire coil is soldered to the spring assembly arm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein the end of the first attachment arm includes a hook (408) positioned about the end thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein the end of the first attachment arm includes flat surface (409) and is positioned transverse to a longitudinal axis (410) of the first attachment arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein the end of the first attachment arm includes a beveled surface (411).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement of claim 6 wherein the hook of the first attachment arm includes an opening (412) inclined to an exterior surface (413) of the spring assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein the barb further comprises a second attachment arm (414) extending longitudinally from the body and wherein the second attachment arm includes an end (415) positioned toward the exterior of the spring assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement of claim 10 wherein the second attachment arm extends longitudinally along the spring assembly arm and exterior to the spring assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 10 wherein the second attachment arm extends longitudinally along the spring assembly arm and is inclined away from the spring assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement of claim 12 wherein an end portion (416) of the second attachment arm is inclined more steeply from the spring assembly than the remaining portion (417) of the second attachment arm.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improvement of claim 10 wherein the end of the second attachment arm includes a beveled surface (418).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a transluminal graft (1; 206) having a spring assembly (12, 31; 301, 302, 303) with a barb (10; 205), an improvement in the barb comprising: a helical coil (405) having a passage (406) with an arm (15) of the spring assembly extending longitudinally therethrough and a first attachment arm (401) extending longitudinally from one end (419) of the helical coil and through an open end (420) of the spring assembly, wherein the coil is attached to the spring assembly arm, the first attachment arm extends longitudinally along the spring assembly arm and in an interior (404) of the spring assembly, and an end (402) of the first attachment arm is positioned toward an exterior (403) of the spring assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a transluminal graft (1; 206) having a spring assembly (12, 31; 301, 302, 303) with a barb (10; 205), an improvement in the barb comprising: a helical coil (405) having a passage (406) with an arm (15) of the spring assembly extending longitudinally therethrough and a first attachment arm (401) extending longitudinally from one end (419) of the helical coil and through an open end (420) of the spring assembly, wherein the coil is attached to the spring assembly arm, the first attachment arm extends longitudinally along the spring assembly arm and in an interior (404) of the spring assembly, and an end (402) of the first attachment arm is positioned toward an exterior (403) of the spring assembly.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 15 wherein the barb includes a second attachment arm (414) extending longitudinally from an other end (421) of the helical coil.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 15 wherein the first attachment arm includes a hook (408) positioned about the end thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement of claim 17 wherein the end of the first attachment arm includes a flat surface and is positioned transverse to a longitudinal axis (410) of the first attachment arm.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 17 wherein the ends of the first and second attachment arms include a beveled surface (411, 418).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
365 words
A prosthesis assembly (422; 228) comprising: a transluminal graft (1; 206) having a first (207) and a second end (208, 209) and a passage (251; 252, 253) extending longitudinally therebetween; a first spring assembly (12; 301) positioned at the first end of the graft and having a first barb (10, 205) wherein the first barb includes a first helical coil (405) having a passage (406) with an arm (15) of the spring assembly extending longitudinally therethrough and a first attachment arm (401) extending longitudinally from one end (419) of the helical coil and through an open end (420) of the first spring assembly, wherein the first helical coil is attached to the first spring assembly, the first attachment arm extends longitudinally along the spring assembly arm and in an interior (404) of the first spring assembly, and a hooked end (402) of the first arm is positioned toward an exterior (403) of the first spring assembly; wherein the first barb includes a second arm (414) extending longitudinally from the first helical coil and has an end (415) positioned toward the exterior of the first spring assembly; wherein the ends of the first and second attachment arms of the first barb are beveled; and a second spring assembly (31; 302, 303) positioned at the second end of the graft and having a second barb (10; 205); wherein the second barb includes a second helical coil (405) having a passage (406) with an arm (15) of the second spring assembly extending longitudinally therethrough and having a first attachment arm (401) extending longitudinally from one end (419) of the second helical coil and through an open end (420) of the second spring assembly, wherein the second helical coil is attached to the second spring assembly, the first attachment arm extends longitudinally along the spring assembly arm and in an interior (404) of the second spring assembly, and a hooked end (402) of the first arm is positioned toward the exterior of the second spring assembly; and wherein the hooked end of the first attachment arm of the second barb is flat and extends transverse to a longitudinal axis (410) of the first attachment arm of the second barb.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
365 words
A prosthesis assembly (422; 228) comprising: a transluminal graft (1; 206) having a first (207) and a second end (208, 209) and a passage (251; 252, 253) extending longitudinally therebetween; a first spring assembly (12; 301) positioned at the first end of the graft and having a first barb (10, 205) wherein the first barb includes a first helical coil (405) having a passage (406) with an arm (15) of the spring assembly extending longitudinally therethrough and a first attachment arm (401) extending longitudinally from one end (419) of the helical coil and through an open end (420) of the first spring assembly, wherein the first helical coil is attached to the first spring assembly, the first attachment arm extends longitudinally along the spring assembly arm and in an interior (404) of the first spring assembly, and a hooked end (402) of the first arm is positioned toward an exterior (403) of the first spring assembly; wherein the first barb includes a second arm (414) extending longitudinally from the first helical coil and has an end (415) positioned toward the exterior of the first spring assembly; wherein the ends of the first and second attachment arms of the first barb are beveled; and a second spring assembly (31; 302, 303) positioned at the second end of the graft and having a second barb (10; 205); wherein the second barb includes a second helical coil (405) having a passage (406) with an arm (15) of the second spring assembly extending longitudinally therethrough and having a first attachment arm (401) extending longitudinally from one end (419) of the second helical coil and through an open end (420) of the second spring assembly, wherein the second helical coil is attached to the second spring assembly, the first attachment arm extends longitudinally along the spring assembly arm and in an interior (404) of the second spring assembly, and a hooked end (402) of the first arm is positioned toward the exterior of the second spring assembly; and wherein the hooked end of the first attachment arm of the second barb is flat and extends transverse to a longitudinal axis (410) of the first attachment arm of the second barb.