US 12,127,918 B2
Collapsible structure and method of use
Edward Yerbury Hartwell, Hull (GB)
Assigned to Smith & Nephew PLC, Watford (GB)
Filed by Smith & Nephew PLC, Watford (GB)
Filed on Apr. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/726,058.
Application 17/726,058 is a continuation of application No. 16/622,244, granted, now 11,324,876, previously published as PCT/EP2018/065398, filed on Jun. 11, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/518,718, filed on Jun. 13, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2022/0241488 A1, Aug. 4, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A61F 13/05 (2024.01); A61F 13/00 (2024.01); A61M 1/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61F 13/05 (2024.01) [A61F 2013/00174 (2013.01); A61F 2013/00536 (2013.01); A61M 1/74 (2021.05); A61M 1/90 (2021.05)] 22 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A collapsible structure for use with negative pressure, the collapsible structure comprising:
a plurality of strips extending a length of the collapsible structure between a first end of the collapsible structure and a second end of the collapsible structure, the plurality of strips comprising a first strip, the first strip curved concavely along a horizontal plane relative to a longitudinal axis of the collapsible structure;
a plurality of intervening members, each intervening member of the plurality of intervening members connecting two respective strips of the plurality of strips, at least one of intervening member of the plurality of intervening members configured to adjust upon application of negative pressure to facilitate collapse of the collapsible structure; and
a plurality of cells at least partially formed by at least one of the plurality of strips or the plurality of intervening members, the plurality of cells provided along the horizontal plane parallel to the length of the collapsible structure and to a width of the collapsible structure, each cell of the plurality of cells comprising an opening extending through the cell in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane,
wherein the collapsible structure is configured to contract along the horizontal plane upon application of negative pressure to the collapsible structure such that the first end of the collapsible structure and the second end of the collapsible structure approach a central transverse axis extending along the width.