Treatment of tricuspid insufficiency

Abstract

A tricuspid insufficiency treatment device includes a vena cava member ( 12 ) implantable in a vena cava of a patient. The vena cava member ( 12 ) is formed with a fenestration ( 14 ) and further includes a blocking member ( 16 ) arranged to block and unblock the fenestration ( 14 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Apparatus comprising:
 a tricuspid insufficiency treatment device ( 10 ) comprising a tubular vena cava member ( 12 ) implantable in a vena cava of a patient, said vena cava member ( 12 ) being formed with at least one fenestration ( 14 ) formed in a side wall of said vena cava member ( 12 ) and further comprising at least one blocking member ( 16 ) arranged to block and unblock said at least one fenestration ( 14 ), and wherein when said at least one blocking member ( 16 ) blocks said at least one fenestration ( 14 ), said tubular vena cava member ( 12 ) and said at least one blocking member ( 16 ) together have a closed cylindrical outer shape.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said vena cava member ( 12 ) comprises an expandable stent body. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one blocking member ( 16 ) comprises at least one flap or cover pivoted to a portion of said vena cava member ( 12 ). 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one blocking member ( 16 ) is normally open with respect to said at least one fenestration ( 14 ). 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one blocking member ( 16 ) is normally closed with respect to said at least one fenestration ( 14 ). 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to claim t, wherein said at least one fenestration ( 14 ) faces in a direction of an orifice of a superior vena cava of the patient. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one fenestration ( 14 ) faces in a direction of an orifice of an inferior vena cava of the patient. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising more than one blocking member ( 16 ) and more than one fenestration ( 14 ), and wherein some of said blocking members ( 16 ) face in same directions and some of said blocking members ( 16 ) face in different directions. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , comprising more than one blocking member ( 16 ) and more than one fenestration ( 14 ) circumferentially all around or partially around said vena cava member ( 12 ). 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said vena cava member ( 12 ) comprises barbs ( 82 ). 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one blocking member ( 16 ) comprises reinforcing structure ( 84 ). 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said vena cava member ( 12 ) comprises diverging stent graft ends ( 92 ). 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein said diverging stent graft ends ( 92 ) are at least partially covered by graft material ( 94 ).