Inventors:
Kulwinder S. Dua - Brookfield WI
Scott T. Moore - Rural Hill NC
John A. Karpiel - Winston-Salem NC
Assignee:
Wilson-Cook Medical Incorporated - Winston-Salem NC
International Classification:
A61F 236
Abstract:
Disclosed is a pressure sensitive prosthesis ( ) that includes a tubular member ( ) having a passageway ( ) extending therethrough and a sleeve ( ) attached about one end of the tubular member. The sleeve functions as a one-way valve to permit fluid flowing through the sleeve lumen ( ) in a first direction ( ) and under a first pressure, while collapsing in response to fluid flowing in a second direction where the pressure that exceeds that of the first direction or pressure. One aspect of the invention includes an esophageal anti-reflux expandable prosthesis wherein the sleeve is adapted to invert back through the tubular stent frame to permit belching or vomiting (fluid or materials under a third, significantly higher pressure). Another aspect of the invention includes a tubular drainage stent ( ), such as a biliary or urethral stent in which the sleeve opens to permit passage of fluids, then collapses to prevent retrograde flow.