Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A medical device having a tubular membrane structure comprising: a radially expandable structural frame, including a proximal anchor having a substantially cylindrical configurations with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between, and a plurality of connecting members each having a first and a second end and being oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first end of each connecting member is attached to the proximal anchor; a polymer fiber membrane electrostatically spun over at least a portion of the exterior surface of the connecting members; and a polymeric outer membrane coated over the fiber membrane, the polymeric outer membrane and fiber membrane combining to form the tubular membrane structure, the tubular membrane structure terminating with a plurality of, supple valve flaps, each supple valve flap having a distally oriented leading edge defined along the circumference of the tubular membrane structure by adjacent connecting members, wherein the leading edge of the supple valve flap is frameless.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
A medical device having a tubular membrane structure comprising: a radially expandable structural frame, including a proximal anchor having a substantially cylindrical configurations with first and second open ends and a longitudinal axis extending there between, and a plurality of connecting members each having a first and a second end and being oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein the first end of each connecting member is attached to the proximal anchor; a polymer fiber membrane electrostatically spun over at least a portion of the exterior surface of the connecting members; and a polymeric outer membrane coated over the fiber membrane, the polymeric outer membrane and fiber membrane combining to form the tubular membrane structure, the tubular membrane structure terminating with a plurality of, supple valve flaps, each supple valve flap having a distally oriented leading edge defined along the circumference of the tubular membrane structure by adjacent connecting members, wherein the leading edge of the supple valve flap is frameless.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The medical device of claim 1 wherein the polymer fiber membrane comprises a fluoropolymer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The medical deice of claim 2 wherein the fluoropolymer is a vinylidene fluoride/hexofluoropropylene having a weight to weight ratio in the range from about 75%/25% to about 100%/0%.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The medical device of claim 1 wherein the polymer fiber membrane is a bioabsorbable polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The medical device of claim 4 wherein the bioabsorbable polymer is a polylactic acid/polycaprolactone having a weight to weight ratio of between 50%/50% and 70%/30%.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The medical device of claim 4 wherein the bioabsorbable polymer is a polyglycolic acid/polycaprolactone having a weight to weight ratio of between 50%/50% and 70%/30%.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The medical device of claim 1 wherein the polymer fiber membrane comprises a bioabsorbable polymer from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The medical device of claim 1 wherein the polymer fiber membrane comprises a polymer from the group consisting of nonabsorbable siliconized polyurethane, non-siliconized polyurethane, siliconized polyureaurethane and natural polymers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The medical device of claim 1 wherein the polymer fiber membrane comprises a therapeutic agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The medical device of claim 1 wherein the polymer fiber membrane comprises a pharmaceutic agent.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The medical device of claim 1 wherein the polymer fiber membrane has a wall thickness in the range from about 5 μm to about 100 μm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The medical device of claim 1 wherein the outer membrane comprises a polymer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The medical device of claim 12 wherein the polymer is a fluoropolymer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The medical deice of claim 13 wherein the fluoropolymer is a vinylidene fluoride/hexofluoropropylene having a weight to weight ratio in the range from about 50%/50% to about 70%/30%.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The medical device of claim 12 wherein the polymer is siliconized polyurethane.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The medical device of claim 12 wherein the polymer is non-siliconized polyurethane.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The medical device of claim 12 wherein the polymer comprises a therapeutic agent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The medical device of claim 12 wherein the polymer comprises a pharmaceutic agent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The medical device of claim 1 wherein the tubular membrane structure has a wall thickness in the range from about 5 μm to about 100 μm.