Expandable medical device with locking mechanism

Abstract

According to the present invention there is provided an expandable medical device having, a plurality of elongated beams, the plurality of elongated beams joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable from a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter. A plurality of hinges connecting the elongated beams have a hinge width, wherein the hinge width is smaller than the beam width. A pawl is disposed adjacent to and substantially parallel to the hinge prior to expansion of the medical device and a plurality of teeth are adapted to receive the pawl. The present invention additionally provides the benefit of limiting the amount of recoil of an expandable device by engaging a locking mechanism, thereby retaining the expanded diameter of the device.

1 - 36 . (canceled)  
     
     
         37 . An expandable medical device comprising: 
 a plurality of elongated beams, the plurality of elongated beams joined together to form a substantially cylindrical device which is expandable to form a cylinder having a first diameter to a cylinder having a second diameter, the plurality of the elongated beams having a beam width in a circumferential direction; 
 a plurality of hinges having a hinge width, wherein the hinge width is smaller than the beam width; and  
   an internal self locking mechanism.    
     
     
         38 . The expandable medical device according to  claim 37 , wherein the internal self-locking mechanism comprises a pawl and a plurality of teeth adapted to receive the pawl.  
     
     
         39 . A method of constructing an expandable medical device, the method comprising: 
 fabricating an expandable medical device from a cylindrical member, wherein the expandable device is formed having a first unexpanded diameter;    retracting the expandable medical device to an unexpanded second diameter, wherein deformation during retraction is confined to a hinge portion of the expandable medical device; and    retaining the expandable medical device in said unexpanded second diameter.    
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 39 , wherein the cylindrical member is formed of superelastic Nitinol alloy.  
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 40 , wherein the step of retaining the expandable medical device includes disposing a retaining means about the unexpanded second diameter of the expandable medical device.  
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 41 , further including the steps of: 
 disposing the retracted expandable medical device onto a delivery device;    placing the delivery device within an artery of a patient; and    removing said retaining means wherein the expandable medical device returns to said first unexpanded diameter.    
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 42 , further including the step of expanding the expandable medical device to an expanded diameter larger than the first unexpanded diameter wherein a locking means is engaged to retain the expandable medical device in said first expanded diameter.