Expandable devices and methods therefor

Abstract

Described here are expandable devices and methods for using them. The devices generally comprise a hub and a plurality of legs extending therefrom. In some variations, the hub may comprise one or more domed portions, tapered portions, or the like. The legs may comprise one or more straight segments, one or more curved segments, or a combination thereof. The devices may comprise one or more polymers, and/or one or more portions of the device may be configured to biodegrade. In other variations, the device may be configured to release one or more drugs therefrom. Additionally, in some variations the devices may be configured to be self-expandable from a low-profile configuration to an expanded configuration.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A system for treating a sinus or nasal condition, comprising:
 an expandable device configured for insertion into a sinus cavity or nasal passage, the expandable device having an expanded configuration and a low-profile configuration, the expandable device including a hub and a plurality of legs, each leg of the plurality of legs extending from a connected end connected to the hub to a free end, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs defines a length extending between the connected and free ends thereof and a plurality of bends along the length, the plurality of bends of each leg of the plurality of legs maintained in each of the expanded and low-profile configurations.   
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein the hub is formed from a first biodegradable copolymer having a first composition ratio and wherein each leg of the plurality of legs is formed from a second biodegradable copolymer having a second composition ratio. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein the first and second biodegradable copolymers are the same biodegradable copolymer. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the expandable device is biased towards the expanded configuration and self-expandable from the low-profile configuration to the expanded configuration. 
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 17 , further comprising at least one connector connecting at least two of the legs of the plurality of legs. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21 , wherein the at least one connector includes connector includes a mesh, membrane, or film. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein at least one leg of the plurality of legs includes an anchoring component. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the expandable device includes at least one therapeutic agent contained in a coating layer covering at least a portion of the hub, the plurality of legs, or both the hub and the plurality of legs. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 24 , wherein the coating layer includes a poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) copolymer. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 17 , further comprising a delivery device for delivering the expandable device, the delivery device including a shaft and a sheath. 
     
     
         27 . A system for treating a sinus or nasal condition, comprising:
 an expandable device configured for insertion into a sinus cavity or nasal passage, the expandable device having an expanded configuration and a low-profile configuration, the expandable device including a hub and a plurality of legs, each leg of the plurality of legs extending from a connected end connected to the hub to a free end, wherein each leg of the plurality of legs defines a length extending between the connected and free ends thereof and at least one bend along the length, the at least one bend of each leg of the plurality of legs maintained in each of the expanded and low-profile configurations; and   a delivery device for delivering the expandable device, the delivery device configured to engage the free end of each leg of the plurality of legs to maintain the expandable device in the low-profile configuration during delivery.   
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 27 , wherein the hub is formed from a first biodegradable copolymer having a first composition ratio and wherein each leg of the plurality of legs is formed from a second biodegradable copolymer having a second composition ratio. 
     
     
         29 . The system according to  claim 28 , wherein the first and second biodegradable copolymers are the same biodegradable copolymer. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 27 , wherein the expandable device is biased towards the expanded configuration and self-expandable from the low-profile configuration to the expanded configuration upon release of the expandable device from the delivery device. 
     
     
         31 . The system according to  claim 27 , wherein the expandable device includes at least one therapeutic agent contained in a coating layer. 
     
     
         32 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein the coating layer is disposed on only one of the hub or the plurality of legs. 
     
     
         33 . The system according to  claim 31 , wherein the coating layer is disposed on each of the hub and the plurality of legs. 
     
     
         34 . The system according to  claim 27 , wherein the delivery device includes a shaft configured for positioning between the plurality of legs and a sheath configured to surround and engage the free ends of the legs of the plurality of legs. 
     
     
         35 . The system according to  claim 34 , wherein the shaft includes at least one tapered portion to at least partially match the at least one bend of each leg of the plurality of legs. 
     
     
         36 . The system according to  claim 34 , wherein the shaft is configured to abut an underside of the hub when the expandable device is engaged by the delivery device.