Scott A Moore

US Patent:

63029170, Oct 16, 2001

Filed:

Aug 31, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/386173

Inventors:

Kulwinder S. Dua - Milwaukee WI
Scott T. Moore - Rural Hall NC

Assignee:

Wilson-Cook Medical Incorporated - Winston-Salem NC

International Classification:

A61F 236

US Classification:

623 2368

Abstract:

An esophageal prosthesis (10) for preventing reflux of gastric fluids through the esophagus. The esophageal prosthesis process includes a tubular frame (11) with a sleeve (13) disposed around and longitudinally along the tubular frame as well as extending from the distal end (14) of the frame. The lower portion (28) of the sleeve has a readily collapsible lumen (15) that forms a one-way valve for preventing the reflux of gastric fluids in an antegrade manner through the esophagus. Fluids however readily flow through the sleeve in a antegrade direction. In response to a pressure build up in the stomach of a patient wanting to belch or vomit, the lower portion of the sleeve inverts through the passage (12) of the tubular frame, thereby relieving the pressure build up or voiding the patient's stomach. The tubular frame includes a plurality (19) of self-expanding zig-zag wire stents (20, 21, and 23) that maintain the patency of the esophagus and, in particular, the lower esophageal sphincter and any tumor that is causing stricture of the esophagus.