Implantable flow adjuster

Abstract

An implantable flow adjuster ( 20 ) includes proximal and distal support rings ( 22, 24 ) which support a flow adjuster panel ( 26 ). The flow adjuster panel ( 26 ) divides the lumen through the device ( 20 ) into two sections, one of reducing cross sectional area and the other of increasing of increasing cross sectional area. The two sections ( 40, 42 ) cause, respectively, an increase in blood pressure and blood flow and a decrease in blood pressure and blood flow. These result is a pressure differential beyond the distal end of the device ( 20 ). This pressure differential can be used to divert blood flow away from the neck ( 14 ) into an aneurysm ( 12 ), thus to reduce pressure and wall sheer stress within the aneurysm in order to assist in the repair of the vessel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An endoluminal flow adjuster comprising:
 an elongate support structure having a tubular shape and a diameter and a proximal end and a distal end, and defining a longitudinal passage for the flow of fluid through the support structure between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the proximal end and the distal end are open;   a panel having a length and a surface extending between the proximal and distal ends of the support structure and held and supported by the support structure, the panel dividing the passage through the flow adjuster into first and second parts varying in size over at least a part of the length of the flow adjuster, wherein the passage defines an overall cross-sectional size perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the cross-sectional size of the first and second parts of the passage combine to define the overall cross-sectional size of the passage, and a ratio between the cross-sectional size of the first part and the cross-sectional size of the second part varies over at least a part of the length of the flow adjuster, wherein the first part of the passage is open at both the proximal and distal ends and the second part of the passage is open at both the proximal and distal ends such that fluid flow is maintained through both the first part and the second part.   
     
     
         2 . The flow adjuster of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a unitary structure. 
     
     
         3 . The flow adjuster of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a stent. 
     
     
         4 . The flow adjuster of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of annular rings coupled together by longitudinal struts. 
     
     
         5 . The flow adjuster of  claim 1 , wherein the panel includes a proximal end and distal end, and the proximal and distal ends of the panel are held and supported by the support structure. 
     
     
         6 . The flow adjuster of  claim 1 , wherein the panel includes longitudinal edges extending between proximal and distal ends of the panel, and the support structure holds and supports the panel along an entire length of the longitudinal edges. 
     
     
         7 . The flow adjuster of  claim 1 , wherein the panel includes an array of perforations across the surface of the panel. 
     
     
         8 . The flow adjuster of  claim 7 , wherein the perforations are arranged in spaced columns and rows along the length of the panel. 
     
     
         9 . The flow adjuster of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure comprises stent rings connected by longitudinally extending tie bars. 
     
     
         10 . The flow adjuster of  claim 4 , wherein the rings and struts are arranged in a rectangular manner. 
     
     
         11 . An endoluminal flow adjuster according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel is transversally curved to provide said first and second flow parts of unequal size. 
     
     
         12 . An endoluminal flow adjuster according to  claim 11 , wherein the transverse curvature of the panel varies along the length of the panel. 
     
     
         13 . The flow adjuster of  claim 1 , wherein the panel has both a convex and concave curvature on a first side of the panel, and the panel has both a convex and concave curvature on a second side of the panel, wherein the first and second sides are on opposite surfaces of the panel and face away from each other. 
     
     
         14 . The flow adjuster of  claim 1 , wherein the panel includes longitudinal edges extending between proximal and distal ends of the panel, wherein the longitudinal edges extend parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the support structure. 
     
     
         15 . The flow adjuster of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal end of the panel is disposed closer to a first radial side of the support structure than a second radial side of the support structure, and the distal end of the panel is disposed closer to the second radial side of the support structure than the first radial side of the support structure. 
     
     
         16 . An endoluminal flow adjuster comprising:
 an elongate support structure having a tubular shape and a diameter and a proximal end and a distal end, and defining a longitudinal passage for the flow of fluid through the support structure between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the proximal end and the distal end are open, wherein the support structure is a unitary structure extending between the proximal and distal ends thereof;   
       a panel having a length and a surface extending between the proximal and distal ends of the support structure and held and supported by the support structure, the panel dividing the passage through the flow adjuster into first and second parts varying in size over at least a part of the length of the flow adjuster, 
     
     
         17 . The flow adjuster of  claim 16 , wherein the passage defines an overall cross-sectional size perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the cross-sectional size of the first and second parts of the passage combine to define the overall cross-sectional size of the passage, and a ratio between the cross-sectional size of the first part and the cross-sectional size of the second part varies over at least a part of the length of the flow adjuster, wherein the first part of the passage is open at both the proximal and distal ends and the second part of the passage is open at both the proximal and distal ends such that fluid flow is maintained through both the first part and the second part. 
     
     
         18 . The flow adjuster of  claim 16 , wherein the support structure includes a plurality of annular rings coupled together by longitudinal struts. 
     
     
         19 . The flow adjuster of  claim 16 , wherein the longitudinal struts extend the length of the support structure. 
     
     
         20 . The flow adjuster of  claim 16 , wherein the support structure holds and supports the panel, and an entire length of opposite edges of the panel are coupled to the support structure.