US 12,329,663 B2
Implantable biocompatible expander suitable for treatment of constrictions of body lumen
Conor Harkin, Dublin (IE); Garrett Ryan, Dublin (IE); Bruce Murphy, Dublin (IE); and James Redmond, Dublin (IE)
Assigned to THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS, & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIV. TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH, NEAR DUBLIN, Dublin (IE)
Filed by THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS, & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY, Dublin (IE)
Filed on Dec. 1, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/109,003.
Application 17/109,003 is a continuation of application No. 15/775,257, granted, now 10,881,539, previously published as PCT/EP2016/077606, filed on Nov. 14, 2016.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/321,639, filed on Apr. 12, 2016.
Claims priority of application No. 15194391 (EP), filed on Nov. 12, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2021/0100666 A1, Apr. 8, 2021
Int. Cl. A61F 2/86 (2013.01); A61B 1/307 (2006.01); A61F 2/04 (2013.01); A61F 2/82 (2013.01); A61F 2/848 (2013.01); A61M 29/02 (2006.01); A61F 2/966 (2013.01)
CPC A61F 2/86 (2013.01) [A61B 1/307 (2013.01); A61F 2/04 (2013.01); A61F 2/848 (2013.01); A61M 29/02 (2013.01); A61F 2002/047 (2013.01); A61F 2002/825 (2013.01); A61F 2002/8483 (2013.01); A61F 2002/9665 (2013.01); A61F 2210/0004 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0013 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0023 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0054 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0056 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0067 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0069 (2013.01); A61F 2230/0095 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0039 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0067 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia, the method comprising:
inserting a distal end of a delivery tube of an implant delivery device through a urethra,
the delivery device comprising:
the delivery tube comprising a hollow distal end holding an implant in a contracted state;
the implant being self-expandable from the contracted state to an expanded state,
the implant comprising a single elongated undulating ring comprising a plurality of proximal apices, a plurality of distal apices, and a plurality of struts extending between the proximal apices and the distal apices, the struts being curved outwardly along a length from proximal to distal apex and tapering inwardly at each apex so that the implant has a substantially barrel shape along the length,
a jig comprising a first projection engaging a first proximal apex of the plurality of proximal apices while a portion of the delivery tube radially opposed to the first proximal apex blocks disengagement of the first proximal apex from the first projection of the jig when the implant is at least partially within the delivery tube,
the first projection of the jig being disposed distally and proximally of the first proximal apex;
a handle comprising an actuator operable to change a relative longitudinal position between the delivery tube and the jig;
a light; and
an imaging device;
illuminating the urethra and the plurality of distal apices with the light;
viewing the urethra using the imaging device prior to, during, and after deployment of the implant;
viewing the plurality of distal apices using the imaging device during and after deployment of the implant; and
operating the actuator to deploy the implant to the expanded state in the urethra in a correct position by effecting relative longitudinal movement between the delivery tube and the jig to clear the delivery tube from the first proximal apex, hence disengaging the first proximal apex from the first projection of the jig to release the implant from the delivery device, wherein in the correct position the implant:
effects dilation of the urethra by exerting outward radial pressure on walls of the urethra,
matches a cross-sectional shape of the urethra, and
is longitudinally between a bladder neck and an external sphincter.