Flow reducing implant

Abstract

A flow reducing implant for reducing blood flow in a blood vessel having a cross sectional dimension, the flow reducing implant comprising a hollow element adapted for placement in the blood vessel defining a flow passage therethrough, said flow passage comprising at least two sections, one with a larger diameter and one with a smaller diameter, wherein said smaller diameter is smaller than a cross section of the blood vessel. A plurality of tabs anchor, generally parallel to the blood vessel wall, are provided in some embodiments of the invention.

1 . A flow reducing implant, comprising: 
 a flared section adapted to contact a blood vessel wall;    at least one narrowed section continuous with said flared section; and    at least one anchor tab that lies generally in a plane of said flared section.    
   
   
       2 . An implant according to  claim 1 , wherein said implant is formed of a sheet material and wherein said tab is attached to a portion of said flared section that is generally parallel to a wall of said blood vessel.  
   
   
       3 . An implant according to  claim 2 , wherein said anchor tab points axially.  
   
   
       4 . An implant according to  claim 1 , wherein said anchor tab points towards said narrowed section.  
   
   
       5 . An implant according to  claim 1 , comprising at least two opposing anchor tabs.  
   
   
       6 . An implant according to  claim 1 , comprising at least two flared sections, each one with at least one anchor tab.  
   
   
       7 . An implant according to  claim 1 , wherein said implant is plastically deformed to said configuration.  
   
   
       8 . An implant according to  claim 1 , wherein said implant self-deforms to said configuration.  
   
   
       9 . An implant according to  claim 1 , wherein said anchor tabs are blunt enough to generally prevent damage to said blood vessel.  
   
   
       10 . A flow reducing implant, comprising: 
 a flared section adapted to contact a blood vessel wall; and    at least one narrowed section continuous with said flared section and adapted to be narrowed after implantation.    
   
   
       11 . An implant according to  claim 10 , comprising an external ribbon adapted to selectively increasingly constrain said narrowing.  
   
   
       12 . An implant according to  claim 11 , comprising an impulser adapted to receive signals from outside the body and constrain said ribbon in response.  
   
   
       13 . An implant according to  claim 11 , wherein said ribbon is expandable.  
   
   
       14 . An implant according to  claim 11 , wherein said ribbon is inflatable.  
   
   
       15 . An implant according to  claim 13 , wherein said ribbon is self-expands by absorption.  
   
   
       16 . An implant according to  claim 11 , wherein said ribbon is tearable.  
   
   
       17 . An implant according to  claim 10 , wherein said narrowed section comprises a plurality of engagement points adapted to be engaged, for radial constriction, by a catheter with matching engagers.  
   
   
       18 . An implant according to  claim 10 , wherein said narrowed section is adapted to be selectively widened after implantation.  
   
   
       19 . An implant according to  claim 10 , wherein said narrowed section is inflatable.  
   
   
       20 . An implant according to  claim 10 , wherein said narrowed section is expandable in thickness.  
   
   
       21 . A flow reducing implant, comprising: 
 a flared section adapted to contact a blood vessel wall;    at least one narrowed section continuous with said flared section; and    at least ribbon coupled to said narrowed section and adapted to define at least two discrete expansion states of said narrowed section.    
   
   
       22 . An implant according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one ribbon comprises a tearable ribbon.  
   
   
       23 . An implant according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one ribbon comprises a ribbon with a sliding clasp and a plurality of stop positions defined thereon.  
   
   
       24 . An implant according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one ribbon comprises a plurality of ribbons, being different in at least one of initial diameter, tear strength and final diameter.  
   
   
       25 . An implant according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one ribbon comprises a slitted ribbon having a first diameter and a second diameter set by said slits being closed or expanded.  
   
   
       26 . An implant according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one ribbon comprises a cord woven into said narrowed section.  
   
   
       27 . An implant according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one ribbon lies outside of said narrowed section.  
   
   
       28 . An implant according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one ribbon is biodegradable.  
   
   
       29 . An implant according to  claim 21 , wherein said at least one ribbon blocks flow through a wall of said narrowed section.  
   
   
       30 . A flow reducing implant, comprising: 
 a flared section adapted to contact a blood vessel wall;    at least one narrowed section continuous with said flared section,    wherein said implant comprises at least one overlapping section, whose overlap changes when said narrowed section is expanded.    
   
   
       31 . An implant according to  claim 30 , wherein said overlap comprises a plurality of overlapping cut-outs of said implant.  
   
   
       32 . An implant according to  claim 30 , wherein said overlap comprises an overlap of substantially an entire length of said implant.  
   
   
       33 . A flow reducing implant, comprising: 
 a stent-like element adapted to anchor in a tubular blood vessel; and    a flexible cone-shaped nozzle mounted on said stent, said cone shaped nozzle defining a narrowing that substantially reduces a cross-section of blood flow through said sent-like element.    
   
   
       34 . An implant according to  claim 33 , wherein said nozzle comprises at least one stiffener.  
   
   
       35 . A flow reducing implant, comprising: 
 an open weave mesh that does not substantially impede blood flow, therethrough; and    a layer of graft material mounted on said mesh and defining a narrowed lumen for blood flow therethrough.    
   
   
       36 . An implant according to  claim 35 , wherein said open weave mesh forms an hourglass shape when expanded in said graft material layer.  
   
   
       37 . A flow reducing implant, comprising: 
 a flared section adapted to contact a blood vessel wall; and    at least one narrowed section continuous with said flared section,    wherein said implant is defined by a sheet material with slots and wherein a width of said slots varies over the implant to control an expanded geometry of said implant.    
   
   
       38 . A flow reducing implant, comprising: 
 a flared section adapted to contact a blood vessel wall; and    at least one narrowed section continuous with said flared section,    wherein said implant is defined by a sheet material with slots and wherein said slots are arranged in axial lines and wherein said alternating lines have different lengths of slots at a same axial position.    
   
   
       39 . A flow reducing implant for reducing blood flow in a blood vessel, comprising: 
 a body having a cross sectional dimension; and    a restricting element that at least partially encircles a blood vessel.    
   
   
       40 . A flow reducing implant according to  claim 39 , wherein said element pierces said blood vessel.  
   
   
       41 . A flow reducing implant according to  claim 40 , wherein said element comprises a tack or a suture.  
   
   
       42 . A flow reducing implant according to  claim 39 , wherein said element comprises a band.  
   
   
       43 . A flow reducing implant according to  claim 42 , wherein said band comprises a ratchet mechanism that maintains it in position in respect to said vessel.  
   
   
       44 . A flow reducing implant according to  claim 42 , wherein said band comprises a plurality of expandable slits.  
   
   
       45 . A flow reducing implant according to  claim 39 , wherein said element comprises one of a clip, clasp and vise.  
   
   
       46 . A flow reducing implant according to  claim 39 , wherein said element comprises a spiral.  
   
   
       47 . A flow reducing implant according to  claim 39 , wherein said element comprises an expandable material.  
   
   
       48 . A flow reducing implant according to  claim 47 , wherein said element is adapted to expand by expansion pressure from the interior of said blood vessel.  
   
   
       49 . A flow reducing implant according to  claim 48 , wherein said implant is adapted to expand in response to expansion pressure of a balloon catheter.  
   
   
       50 . A method of treating abnormal growth in the body, comprising: 
 determining a source artery for the growth; and    inserting a flow reducing implant with an adjustable configuration into the determined artery, such that flow to the growth is reduced.    
   
   
       51 . A method according to  claim 50 , wherein said growth is extant in an organ that is fed from multiple source arteries.  
   
   
       52 . A method according to  claim 50 , wherein said growth is fed by a single source artery.  
   
   
       53 . A method according to  claim 50 , wherein said growth comprises a leiomyoma.  
   
   
       54 . A method according to  claim 50 , wherein said growth comprises a malignant tumor.  
   
   
       55 . A method according to  claim 54 , wherein said tumor is a liver tumor.  
   
   
       56 . A method according to  claim 54 , wherein said tumor is an encapsulated tumor.  
   
   
       57 . A method of treating blood flow problems in a limb, comprising: 
 identifying at least one vein that if flow in the vein is reduced is expected to reduce the blood flow problem; and    inserting a flow reducing implant into the determined vein.    
   
   
       58 . A method according to  claim 57 , wherein said vein is a deep vein.  
   
   
       59 . A method according to  claim 57 , wherein said vein is a surface vein.  
   
   
       60 . A flow reducing implant comprising: 
 an outer generally tubular section adapted to be inserted in a blood vessel; and    an insert adapted to lodge in said tubular section, said insert designed to reduce blood flow passing through the blood vessel.    
   
   
       61 . A flow reducing implant according to  claim 60 , wherein said generally tubular section is designed to reduce blood flow passing therethrough.  
   
   
       62 . A flow reducing implant according to  claim 60 , wherein said insert comprises a funnel shaped insert.  
   
   
       63 . A flow reducing implant according to  claim 60 , wherein said generally tubular section is designed to not reduce blood flow passing therethrough.  
   
   
       64 . A flow reducing implant according to  claim 60 , wherein said generally tubular section comprises a plurality of opening in its wall and wherein said insert comprises a plurality of opening in its wall.  
   
   
       65 . An implant according to  claim 64 , wherein said insert and said tubular section are rotationally alignable to modify an alignment of said pluralities of openings with each other.  
   
   
       66 . A method of reducing flow in a blood vessel, comprising: 
 selecting a location in the vessel to narrow;    inserting a flow reducing implant into the blood vessel at the location; and    mounting a restricting element on said vessel at the location and over said flow reducing implant.    
   
   
       67 . A method according to  claim 66 , wherein said restricting element reduces an inner diameter of said flow reducing implant.  
   
   
       68 . A method according to  claim 67 , comprising removing said restricting element.