摘要:
A deployment device for a flexible implant includes a housing and one or two chambers formed therein. When two chambers are included, the housing can have two elongate openings formed in its outer sides, each providing side access to one of the chambers, and the flexible implant can be rolled into a double-rolled configuration and placed in the chambers of the deployment device in such a way that a middle portion of the flexible implant is external to the housing. When the flexible implant is rolled and loaded in the deployment device, the flexible implant can extend out through open end(s) of the chamber(s) or can be encapsulated within the chamber(s). The flexible implant can be provided separate from the deployment device. The flexible implant can include a flexible base sheet including a body portion and a tab. A flexible separable layer can be removably disposed on the body portion.
摘要:
A prosthesis includes an enclosure. A flexible support structure is situated at least partially within the enclosure and is removable therefrom. The flexible support structure occupies a total circumferential area and has a stiffness that is sufficient to allow the prosthesis to assume a deployed (e.g., generally planar) configuration. A tab is adjoined with the flexible support structure and extends external to the enclosure. Pulling the tab directionally away from the prosthesis causes a reconfiguration of the flexible support structure sufficient to enable the flexible support structure to pass through an opening in the prosthesis having a total circumferential area that is less than the total circumferential area occupied by the flexible support structure when the prosthesis is in the deployed (e.g., generally planar) configuration, enabling removal of the flexible support structure from the enclosure.