A multiple-sided medical device comprises a closed frame of a single piece of
wire
or other resilient material and having a series of bends and interconnecting sides.
The device has both a flat configuration and a second, folded configuration that
comprises a self-expanding stent. The stent is pushed from a delivery catheter
into the lumen of a duct or vessel. One or more barbs are attached to the frame
of the device for anchoring or to connect additional frames. A covering of fabric
or other flexible material such as DACRON, PTFE, or collagen, is sutured or attached
to the frame to form an occlusion device, a stent graft, or an artificial valve
such as for correcting incompetent veins in the lower legs and feet. A partial,
triangular-shaped covering over the lumen of the device allows the valve to open
with normal blood flow and close to retrograde flow.