1. A method of implanting an annuloplasty ring in a heart valve annulus, comprising:
providing a resilient annuloplasty ring having a contracted diameter;
stretching the annuloplasty ring to an expanded diameter commensurate with the diameter of a dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the annuloplasty ring within the heart valve annulus;
maintaining the annuloplasty ring at its expanded diameter while attaching the annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus by using an attachment device to physically connect the annuloplasty ring to the annulus; and
permitting the annuloplasty ring in contract inward from its expanded diameter so as to decrease the size of the attached heart valve annulus.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the resilient annuloplasty ring comprises a resilient inner sizing member and an outer attachment sheath enclosing the sizing member.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the attachment device comprises a plurality of members positioned on the annuloplasty ring.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the plurality of members is selected from the group consisting of:
needles,
barbs, and
hooks.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the material of the plurality of members is selected from the group consisting of:
stainless steel,
titanium, and
a nickel-titanium alloy.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein the attachment device comprises at least one suture, and wherein the step of attaching the annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus comprises passing the suture through the attachment sheath and through the heart valve annulus.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein said outer attachment sheath is selected from the group consisting of:
biologically compatible fabric mesh,
polyethylene terephthalate,
polyester knit,
PTFE knit, and
ePTFE knit.
8. The method of claim 2, wherein said outer attachment sheath comprises a medicament to induce tissue growth.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the annuloplasty ring further includes a resilient sizing member having a relaxed diameter, and wherein the method further comprises limiting contraction of the annuloplasty ring to a contracted diameter that is larger than the relaxed diameter of the resilient sizing member.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the annuloplasty ring includes a series of support members positioned on the sizing member, and wherein the step of limiting contraction is accomplished by engagement of the support members with one another.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein each support member comprises a body member having a lumen formed therein, said lumen being capable of receiving the sizing member therein.
12. The method of claim 2, wherein said resilient sizing member comprises a biologically compatible elastomer.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of maintaining the annuloplasty ring at its expanded diameter comprises positioning the annuloplasty ring on an insertion device.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the annuloplasty ring is positioned on the insertion device at the time of manufacture.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein the annuloplasty ring is positioned on the insertion device immediately prior to implantation.
16. A method of implanting a self-molding annuloplasty ring in a heart valve annulus, comprising:
providing a resilient annuloplasty ring having a contracted diameter, the annuloplasty ring including a resilient inner sizing member having a relaxed diameter and an outer attachment sheath;
stretching the annuloplasty ring to an expanded diameter commensurate with the diameter of a dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the expanded annuloplasty ring on an insertion device;
delivering the insertion device and expanded annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the annuloplasty ring within the heart valve annulus;
attaching the annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus by using an attachment device to physically connect the attachment sheath to the annulus; and
removing the insertion device so as to permit the annuloplasty ring to contract inward from its expanded diameter and decrease the size of the attached heart valve annulus.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the attachment device comprises a plurality of members positioned on the annuloplasty ring.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of members is selected from the group consisting of:
needles
barbs, and
hooks.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the material of the plurality of members is selected from the group consisting of:
stainless steel,
titanium, and
a nickel-titanium alloy.
20. The method of claim 16, wherein the attachment device comprises at least one suture, and wherein the step of attaching the annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus comprises passing the suture through the attachment sheath and through the heart valve annulus.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein said outer attachment sheath is selected from the group consisting of:
biologically compatible fabric mesh,
polyethylene terephthalate,
polyester knit,
PTFE knit, and
ePTFE knit.
22. The method of claim 16, wherein said outer attachment sheath comprises a medicament to induce tissue growth.
23. The method of claim 16, wherein the method further comprises limiting contraction of the annuloplasty ring to a contracted diameter that is larger than the relaxed diameter of the inner sizing member.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the annuloplasty ring further includes a series of support members positioned on the inner sizing member, and wherein the step of limiting contraction is accomplished by engagement of the support members with one another.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein each support member comprises a body member having a lumen formed therein, said lumen being capable of receiving the sizing member therein.
26. The method of claim 16, wherein said resilient inner sizing member comprises a biologically compatible elastomer.
27. The method of claim 16, wherein the annuloplasty ring is positioned on the insertion device at the time of manufacture.
28. The method of claim 16, wherein the annuloplasty ring is positioned on the insertion device immediately prior to implantation.
29. A method of implanting an annuloplasty ring in a heart valve annulus, comprising:
providing a resilient annuloplasty ring having a contracted diameter and a resilient sizing member having a relaxed diameter;
stretching the annuloplasty ring to an expanded diameter commensurate with the diameter of a dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the annuloplasty ring within the heart valve annulus;
maintaining the annuloplasty ring at its expanded diameter while attaching the annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus;
permitting the annuloplasty ring to contract inward from its expanded diameter so as to decrease the size of the attached heart valve annulus; and
limiting contraction of the annuloplasty ring to a contracted diameter that is larger than the relaxed diameter of the sizing member.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the annuloplasty ring includes a series of support members positioned on the sizing member, and wherein the step of limiting contraction is accomplished by engagement of the support members with one another.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein each support member comprises a body member having a lumen formed therein, said lumen being capable of receiving the sizing member therein.
32. A method of implanting an annuloplasty ring in a heart valve annulus, comprising:
providing a resilient annuloplasty ring having a contracted diameter;
stretching the annuloplasty ring to an expanded diameter commensurate with the diameter of a dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the annuloplasty ring within the heart valve annulus;
maintaining the annuloplasty ring at its expanded diameter while attaching the annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus, wherein the annuloplasty ring is maintained at its expanded diameter by positioning the annuloplasty ring on an insertion device at the time of manufacture; and
permitting the annuloplasty ring to contract inward from its expanded diameter so as to decrease the size of the attached heart valve annulus.
33. A method of implanting an annuloplasty ring in a heart valve annulus, comprising:
providing a resilient annuloplasty ring having a contracted diameter;
stretching the annuloplasty ring to an expanded diameter commensurate with the diameter of a dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the annuloplasty ring within the heart valve annulus;
maintaining the annuloplasty ring at its expanded diameter while attaching the annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus, wherein the annuloplasty ring is maintained at its expanded diameter by positioning the annuloplasty ring on an insertion device immediately prior to implantation; and
permitting the annuloplasty ring to contract inward from its expanded diameter so as to decrease the size of the attached heart valve annulus.
34. A method of implanting a self-molding annuloplasty ring in a heart valve annulus, comprising:
providing a resilient annuloplasty ring having a contracted diameter, the annuloplasty ring including a resilient inner sizing member and an outer attachment sheath, wherein said outer attachment sheath is selected from the group consisting of:
biologically compatible fabric mesh,
polyethylene terephthalate,
polyester knit,
PTFE knit, and
ePTFE knit;
stretching the annuloplasty ring to an expanded diameter commensurate with the diameter of a dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the expanded annuloplasty ring on an insertion device;
delivering the insertion device and expanded annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the annuloplasty ring within the heart valve annulus;
attaching the annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus; and
removing the insertion device so as to permit the annuloplasty ring to contract inward from its expanded diameter and decrease the size of the attached heart valve annulus.
35. A method of implanting a self-molding annuloplasty ring in a heart valve annulus, comprising:
providing a resilient annuloplasty ring having a contracted diameter, the annuloplasty ring including a resilient inner sizing member and an outer attachment sheath, wherein said outer attachment sheath comprises a medicament to induce tissue growth;
stretching the annuloplasty ring to an expanded diameter commensurate with the diameter of a dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the expanded annuloplasty ring on an insertion device;
delivering the insertion device and expanded annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the annuloplasty ring within the heart valve annulus;
attaching the annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus; and
removing the insertion device so as to permit the annuloplasty ring to contract inward from its expanded diameter and decrease the size of the attached heart valve annulus.
36. A method of implanting a self-molding annuloplasty ring in a heart valve annulus, comprising:
providing a resilient annuloplasty ring having a contracted diameter, the annuloplasty ring including a resilient inner sizing member having a relaxed diameter and an outer attachment sheath;
stretching the annuloplasty ring to an expanded diameter commensurate with the diameter of a dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the expanded annuloplasty ring on an insertion device;
delivering the insertion device and expanded annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the annuloplasty ring within the heart valve annulus;
attaching the annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus;
removing the insertion device so as to permit the annuloplasty ring to contract inward from its expanded diameter and decrease the size of the attached heart valve annulus; and
limiting contraction of the annuloplasty ring to a contracted diameter that is larger than the relaxed diameter of the inner sizing member.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein the annuloplasty ring further includes a series of support members positioned on the inner sizing member, and wherein the step of limiting contraction is accomplished by engagement of the support members with one another.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein each support member comprises a body member having a lumen formed therein, said lumen being capable of receiving the sizing member therein.
39. A method of implanting a self-molding annuloplasty ring in a heart valve annulus, comprising:
providing a resilient annuloplasty ring having a contracted diameter, the annuloplasty ring including a resilient inner sizing member comprising a biologically compatible elastomer and an outer attachment sheath;
stretching the annuloplasty ring to an expanded diameter commensurate with the diameter of a dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the expanded annuloplasty ring on an insertion device;
delivering the insertion device and expanded annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the annuloplasty ring within the heart valve annulus;
attaching the annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus; and
removing the insertion device so as to permit the annuloplasty ring to contract inward from its expanded diameter and decrease the size of the attached heart valve annulus.
40. A method of implanting a self-molding annuloplasty ring in a heart valve annulus, comprising:
providing a resilient annuloplasty ring having a contracted diameter, the annuloplasty ring including a resilient inner sizing member and an outer attachment sheath;
stretching the annuloplasty ring to an expanded diameter commensurate with the diameter of a dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the expanded annuloplasty ring on an insertion device at the time of manufacture;
delivering the insertion device and expanded annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the annuloplasty ring within the heart valve annulus;
attaching the annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus; and
removing the insertion device so as to permit the annuloplasty ring to contract inward from its expanded diameter and decrease the size of the attached heart valve annulus.
41. A method of implanting a self-molding annuloplasty ring in a heart valve annulus, comprising:
providing a resilient annuloplasty ring having a contracted diameter, the annuloplasty ring including a resilient inner sizing member and an outer attachment sheath;
stretching the annuloplasty ring to an expanded diameter commensurate with the diameter of a dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the expanded annuloplasty ring on an insertion device immediately prior to implantation;
delivering the insertion device and expanded annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus;
positioning the annuloplasty ring within the heart valve annulus;
attaching the annuloplasty ring to the dilated heart valve annulus; and
removing the insertion device so as to permit the annuloplasty ring to contract inward from its expanded diameter and decrease the size of the attached heart valve annulus.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed is:
1. A travel trailer, comprising:
a chassis having wheels and an extended portion with a trailer hitch for towing the travel trailer;
a trailer body attached to the chassis and having rigid sidewalls, a rigid front end wall, a rigid rear end wall, a rigid roof, and a floor, with the sidewalls, end walls, roof, and floor defining an internal space of the trailer body; and
at least one slide-out area extendable outward from the trailer body, with the slide-out area extendable from a retracted position received within the trailer body to an extended position extended outward from the trailer body, and with the slide-out area further comprising:
a rigid peaked roof;
rigid sidewalls connected to the roof;
a rigid bottom wall connected to the sidewalls; and
a rigid front end wall connected to the roof, sidewalls, and bottom wall, with the front end wall having a flange extending around the perimeter of the front end wall, and with a sealing gasket attached to the flange to face the trailer body for sealing against the trailer body in the retracted position of the slide-out area.
2. The travel trailer of claim 1, wherein the front end wall of the trailer body defines an opening for receiving the slide-out area into the trailer body in the retracted position, and wherein the travel trailer further comprises:
a pair of substantially horizontal guide rails attached, respectively, to internal surfaces of the sidewalls of the trailer body; and
a pair of rollers attached, respectively, to lateral sides of the bottom wall of the slide-out area and received, respectively, in the guide rails for providing slidable movement of the slide-out area relative to the trailer body.
3. The travel trailer of claim 2, further comprising a removable external support for supporting the slide-out area in the extended position, the support comprising:
a support member configured for removable connection to a bracket attached to the front end wall of the trailer body; and
a leg member connected to the support member, with the leg member configured for connection to the extended portion of the chassis for supporting the slide-out area in the vertical direction when the slide-out area is in the extended position.
4. The travel trailer of claim 3, wherein the leg member is pivotally connected to the support member.
5. The travel trailer of claim 3, further comprising an external roller attached to a bottom edge of the flange of the front end wall of the slide-out area, with the external roller positioned to coact with a top surface of the support member such that when the slide-out area is moved between the extended and retracted positions the external roller is guided along the top surface of the support member.
6. The travel trailer of claim 5, further comprising:
at least one clamping device attached to the bottom wall of the slide-out area, with the clamping device comprising a first member fixedly attached to the bottom wall and a second member rotatably connected to the first member, with the second member defining a threaded tube having a screw positioned therein, with the screw having an end configured to coact with the front end wall of the trailer body and a handle for rotating the screw within the tube,
wherein rotation of the screw in a clockwise direction extends the screw such that the end of the screw contacts the front end wall of the trailer body, and wherein further clockwise rotation of the screw applies longitudinally directed force to the slide-out area relative to the trailer body for substantially eliminating vibration of the slide-out area relative to the trailer body.
7. The travel trailer of claim 5, wherein the pair of rollers and external roller are nylon rollers.
8. The travel trailer of claim 5, wherein the external roller is housed rotatably within a protective cover formed integrally with the front end wall of the slide-out area.
9. The travel trailer of claim 1, further comprising internal structures located within the trailer body configured to fold down to a position below the bottom wall of the slide-out area such that the slide-out area may moved to the retracted position received within the trailer body.
10. The travel trailer of claim 1, further comprising a pair of latching devices attached to lateral sides of the front end wall of the slide-out area, with the latching devices each comprising:
a vertically positioned rod connected rotatably to the front end wall of the slide-out area and having a lever arm extending therefrom; and
a pair of cam action engagements located on the front end wall of the trailer body and positioned and configured to cooperate with opposite ends of the rod,
wherein rotational movement applied to the lever arm rotates the rod which transmits the rotational movement to the cam action engagements, and wherein the cam action engagements exert compressive pressure on the sealing gasket in the retracted position of the slide-out area.
11. The travel trailer of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of support legs pivotally attached to the bottom wall of the slide-out area and configured to connect removably to the extended portion of the chassis for supporting the slide-out area in the extended position.
12. The travel trailer of claim 1, wherein the front end wall of the trailer body defines an opening for receiving the slide-out area into the trailer body, and further comprising a sealing connection between the slide-out area and the trailer body in the extended and retracted positions of the slide-out area, with the sealing connection comprising:
a first flange plate connected to the front end wall of the trailer body and extending around the opening in the front end wall of the trailer body, with the first flange plate having a first sealing gasket facing an internal facing side of the front end wall of the slide-out area and a second sealing gasket attached to the opposite side of the first flange plate; and
a second flange plate attached to the roof, sidewalls, and bottom wall at a rear end of the slide-out area to form an outer perimeter of the rear end of the slide-out area,
wherein the second sealing gasket is attached to the opposite side of the first flange plate to face the second flange plate,
wherein when the slide-out area is in the extended position the second flange plate engages the second sealing gasket to provide a substantially weather tight seal between the slide-out area and trailer body, and
wherein when the slide-out area is in the retracted position the first sealing gasket engages the internal facing side of the front end wall of the slide-out area to provide a substantially weather tight seal between the slide-out area and trailer body.
13. The travel trailer of claim 12, wherein the first and second sealing gaskets each include wiper seals for wiping the surfaces of the roof, sidewalls, and bottom wall of the slide-out area as the slide-out area is moved between the extended and retracted positions.
14. The travel trailer of claim 1, wherein the sealing gasket includes a wiper seal configured to engage the trailer body in the retracted position of the slide-out area.
15. A method of using an expandable travel trailer having at least one slide-out area, with the travel trailer comprising:
a chassis having wheels and an extended portion with a trailer hitch for towing the travel trailer;
a trailer body having rigid sidewalls, a rigid front end wall, a rigid rear end wall, a rigid roof, and a floor, with the sidewalls, end walls, roof, and floor defining an internal space of the trailer body;
at least one slide-out area extendable outward from the internal space of the trailer body, with the slide-out having a roof, sidewalls, bottom wall, and a front end wall, with the front end wall having a flange extending around a perimeter thereof, and with an external roller attached to a bottom edge of the flange; and
a removable external support for supporting the slide-out area in an extended position, with the support comprising:
a support member configured for removable connection to the front end wall of the trailer body; and
a leg member pivotally connected to the support member and configured for connection to the extended portion of the chassis, wherein the external roller is positioned to coact with a top surface of the support member,
the method comprising the steps of:
connecting the support member to the front end wall of the trailer body;
pivoting the leg member downward and connecting the leg member to the extended portion of the chassis; and
moving the slide-out area from a retracted position located within the trailer body to the extended position extended outward from the trailer body, wherein as the slide-out is moved to the extended position the external roller is guided along the top surface of the support member.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the slide-out further includes at least one clamping device attached to the bottom wall of the slide-out area, and the method further comprises the step of exerting outward directed force on the slide-out area relative to the trailer body with the clamping device when the slide-out area is in the extended position to minimize vibration of the slide-out area relative to the trailer body.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the front end wall of the trailer body defines an opening for receiving the slide-out area into the trailer body, and wherein the travel trailer further comprises a sealing connection between the slide-out area and the trailer body, with the sealing connection comprising:
a first flange plate connected to the front end wall of the trailer body and extending around the opening in the front end wall of the trailer body, with the first flange plate having a first sealing gasket facing an internal facing side of the front end wall of the slide-out area and a second sealing gasket attached to the opposite side of the first flange plate; and
a second flange plate attached to the roof, sidewalls, and bottom wall at a rear end of the slide-out area to form an outer perimeter of the rear end of the slide-out area,
the method further comprising the step of compressing the second sealing gasket between the first and second flange plates when the slide-out area is in the extended position to provide a substantially weather tight seal between the slide-out area and the trailer body.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of compressing the first sealing gasket between the first flange plate and the internal facing side of the front end wall of the slide-out area when the slide-out area is in the retracted position to provide a substantially weather tight seal between the slide-out area and the trailer body.
19. A travel trailer, comprising:
a chassis having wheels and an extended portion with a trailer hitch for towing the travel trailer;
a trailer body attached to the chassis and having rigid sidewalls, a rigid front end wall, a rigid rear end wall, a rigid roof, and a floor, with the sidewalls, end walls, roof, and floor defining an internal space of the trailer body;
at least one slide-out area extendable outward from the trailer body, with the slide-out area extendable from a retracted position received within the trailer body to an extended position extended outward from the trailer body, with the front end wall of the trailer body defining an opening for receiving the slide-out area into the trailer body in the retracted position, and with the slide-out area further comprising:
a rigid roof;
rigid sidewalls connected to the roof;
a rigid bottom wall connected to the sidewalls; and
a rigid front end wall connected to the roof, sidewalls, and bottom wall;
a pair of substantially horizontal guide rails attached, respectively, to internal surfaces of the sidewalls of the trailer body; and
a pair of rollers attached, respectively, to lateral sides of the bottom wall of the slide-out area and received, respectively, in the guide rails for providing slidable movement of the slide-out area relative to the trailer body.
20. The travel trailer of claim 19, further comprising a removable external support for supporting the slide-out area in the extended position, the support comprising:
a support member configured for removable connection to a bracket attached to the front end wall of the trailer body;
a leg member connected to the support member, with the leg member configured for connection to the extended portion of the chassis for supporting the slide-out area in the vertical direction when the slide-out area is in the extended position; and
an external roller attached to a bottom edge of the front end wall of the slide-out area, with the external roller positioned to coact with a top surface of the support member such that when the slide-out area is moved between the extended and retracted positions the external roller is guided along the top surface of the support member.