Multi-segment modular stent and methods for manufacturing stents

• US 20030176914A1
• Filed: 01/21/2003
• Published: 09/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Intek Technology LLC (Qorvo, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Intek Technology LLC (Qorvo, Inc.)
• Inventors: Perelson, Ophir, Morag, Eyal, Rabkin, Dmitry J.
• Application Number:
  US10/333,600
• Publication Number:
  US 20030176914A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/91 made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/915 with bands having a meander structure, adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91566 connected trough to trough
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91575 connected peak to trough
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0013 Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped

Abstract

A modular stent comprises at least one stent module including an intermediate segment consisting of one of either a closed-cell segment or a Z-segment and a pair of end segments connected to respective longitudinal ends of said intermediate segment, each end segment consisting of the other of said closed-cell segment or Z-segment, each closed-cell segment consisting solely of at least one annular closed-cell ring and each Z-segment consisting solely of at least one annular Z-ring. A method of manufacturing a stent from a small diameter tube includes laser-cutting the small diameter tube to define a plurality of longitudinally adjacent Z-rings, providing interconnector portions of said tube integrally joining facing aligned or offset Z-rings, expanding the small diameter tube, and removing predetermined interconnector portions from the expanded tube to provide the predetermined desired arrangement of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings.

Claims

1. A modular stent having an unexpanded configuration and an expanded tubular configuration, said stent comprising at least one stent module, each stent module including:

an intermediate segment consisting of one of either a closed-cell segment or a Z-segment;

a pair of end segments connected to respective longitudinal ends of said intermediate segment, each end segment consisting of the other of said closed-cell segment or Z-segment;

each closed-cell segment consisting solely of at least one annular closed-cell ring formed by struts defining a plurality of closed-cell elements having a plurality of proximal and distal peaks and valleys;

each Z-segment consisting solely of at least one annular Z-ring formed by struts defining an elongate member including a plurality of wave-shape portions having a plurality of proximal and distal peaks and valleys.

2. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one stent module comprises a Type A module wherein said intermediate segment comprises a Z-segment and wherein each of said pair of end segments comprises a closed-cell segment.

3. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one stent module comprises a Type B module wherein said intermediate segment comprises a closed-cell segment and wherein each of said pair of end segments comprises a Z-segment.

4. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 wherein each closed-cell ring is formed by a pair of opposed Z-rings tightly interconnected at pairs of facing peaks or pairs of facing valleys or pairs of facing peaks and valleys.

5. A modular stent as recited in claim 4 wherein each closed-cell rings is formed by a pair of opposed, interconnected longitudinally aligned Z-rings defining a plurality of pairs of acing aligned peaks and a plurality of pairs of facing aligned valleys.

6. A modular stent as recited in claim 5 wherein in each of said closed-cell rings, linear interconnectors interconnect every pair of facing aligned peaks to define hexagonal-shaped closed-cell elements.

7. A modular stent as recited in claim 5 wherein in each of said closed-cell rings, linear interconnectors interconnect every other pair of facing aligned peaks.

8. A modular stent as recited in claim 5 wherein in each of said closed-cell rings, linear interconnectors interconnect every pair of facing aligned valleys.

9. A modular stent as recited in claim 5 wherein in each of said closed-cell rings, linear interconnectors interconnect every other pair of facing aligned valleys.

10. A modular stent as recited in claim 5 wherein in each of said closed-cell rings, the facing aligned peaks of every pair of facing aligned peaks are directly connected to each other.

11. A modular stent as recited in claim 5 wherein in each of said closed-cell rings, the facing aligned peaks of every other pair of facing aligned peaks are directly connected to each other.

12. A modular stent as recited in claim 4 wherein each closed-cell ring is formed by a pair of opposed, longitudinally offset Z-rings defining a plurality of facing aligned peak and valley pairs.

13. A modular stent as recited in claim 12 wherein in each of said closed-cell rings, linear interconnectors interconnect every facing aligned peak and valley pair.

14. A modular stent as recited in claim 12 wherein in each of said closed-cell rings, linear interconnectors interconnect every other facing aligned peak and valley pair.

15. A modular stent as recited in claim 12 wherein in each of said closed-cell rings, linear interconnectors interconnect every facing peak of one of said Z-rings to every facing offset peak of the other one of said Z-rings.

16. A modular stent as recited in claim 12 wherein in each of said closed-cell rings, linear interconnectors interconnect every other facing peak of one of said Z-rings to every other facing offset peak of the other one of said Z-rings.

17. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said closed-cell elements are formed by linear struts.

18. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said closed-cell elements are formed by serpentine-shaped struts.

19. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said Z-rings comprise substantially linear struts.

20. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said Z-rings comprise integral smooth sinusoidal waves.

21. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 wherein each pair of longitudinally adjacent annular rings are interconnected to each other by interconnectors.

22. A modular stent as recited in claim 21 wherein said interconnectors comprise linear interconnectors.

23. A modular stent as recited in claim 21 wherein said interconnectors comprise serpentine-shaped interconnectors.

24. A modular stent as recited in claim 21 wherein a pair of longitudinally adjacent closed-cell rings are interconnected by interconnectors comprising shared struts of closed-cell elements of said two interconnected closed-cell rings.

25. A modular stent as recited in claim 21 wherein said interconnectors have a thickness greater than the thickness of said struts forming said closed-cell elements.

26. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 wherein each closed-cell segment includes at least one closed-cell ring having from 4 to 16 closed-cell elements defining from 4 to 16 proximal and distal peaks and valleys.

27. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 wherein each Z-segment includes at least one Z-ring defining from 4 to 16 distal and proximal peaks and valleys.

28. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 wherein each closed-cell segment includes from 1 to 4 closed-cell annular rings.

29. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 wherein each Z-segment includes from 1 to 8 Z-rings.

30. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 wherein each closed-cell segment includes from 1 to 4 closed-cell rings, each closed-cell ring having from 4 to 16 closed-cell elements and from 4 to 16 distal and proximal peaks;

and

each Z-segment includes from 1 to 8 Z-rings, each Z-ring having from 4 to 16 distal and proximal peaks.

31. A modular stent as recited in claim 30 wherein longitudinally adjacent distal and proximal annular rings are interconnected by interconnectors.

32. A modular stent as recited in claim 31 wherein said interconnectors interconnect distal peaks or valleys of a proximal annular ring to proximal peaks or valleys of a distal annular ring.

33. A modular stent as recited in claim 32 wherein an interconnector interconnects every third one of said distal peaks or valleys of said proximal annular ring to every third one of said proximal peaks or valleys of said distal annular ring.

34. A modular stent as recited in claim 32 wherein an interconnector interconnects every fourth one or more of said distal peaks or valleys of said proximal annular ring to every fourth one or more of said proximal peaks or valleys of said distal annular ring.

35. A modular stent as recited in claim 32 wherein an interconnector has either a linear or a non-linear shape and a thickness of up to twice the thickness of struts forming said annular rings.

36. A modular stent as recited in claim 30 wherein said at least one stent module comprises a Type A module wherein said intermediate segment comprises a Z-segment and said end segments comprise closed-cell segments.

37. A module stent as recited in claim 36 consisting solely of at least two of said Type A modules interconnected at longitudinally adjacent ends.

38. A modular stent as recited in claim 36 wherein said intermediate Z-segment of said Type A module consists solely of a single Z-ring and each of said closed-cell end segments of said Type A module consists solely of a single closed-cell ring.

39. A modular stent as recited in claim 38 wherein said annular rings of said Type A module have twelve distal and proximal peaks and valleys and each pair of longitudinally adjacent rings in said Type A modules are longitudinally aligned and interconnected by linear interconnectors at every third pair of facing aligned peaks

40. A modular stent as recited in claim 38 wherein said annular rings of said Type A module have sixteen distal and proximal peaks and valleys and each pair of longitudinally adjacent rings in said Type A module are longitudinally aligned and interconnected by linear interconnectors at every fourth pair of facing aligned peaks.

41. A modular stent as recited in claim 38 including two of said Type A modules interconnected at longitudinally adjacent ends to define a distal Type A module and a proximal Type A module.

42. A modular stent as recited in claim 41 wherein said distal closed-cell ring of said proximal Type A module is offset with respect to a proximal closed-cell ring of said distal Type A module and wherein said distal closed-cell ring is interconnected to said proximal closed-cell ring of said distal Type A modules by shared struts.

43. A modular stent as recited in claim 41 wherein said distal closed-cell ring of said proximal Type A module is longitudinally aligned with a proximal closed-cell ring of said distal Type A module and wherein said distal closed-cell ring is interconnected to said proximal closed-cell ring by linear interconnectors at least at every third pair of facing aligned peaks.

44. A modular stent as recited in claim 30 wherein said at least one stent module comprises a Type B module wherein said intermediate segment comprises a closed-cell segment and said end segments comprise Z-segments.

45. A modular stent as recited in claim 44 consisting solely of at least two of said Type B modules interconnected at longitudinal ends.

46. A modular stent as recited in claim 44 wherein said intermediate Z-segment of said Type B module consists solely of a single closed-cell ring and each of said end Z-segments of said Type B module consists solely of a single Z-ring.

47. A modular stent as recited in claim 46 wherein each pair of longitudinally adjacent rings of said Type B module are longitudinally aligned and interconnected by linear interconnectors at least at every third pair of facing aligned peaks.

48. A modular stent as recited in claim 47 including two of said Type B modules interconnected at longitudinally adjacent ends.

49. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 constituted by three of said modules, including:

an intermediate Type B module consisting solely of an intermediate closed-cell segment and proximal and distal end Z-segments; and

a pair of proximal and distal Type A modules interconnected to respective distal ends of said intermediate Type B module, each Type A module consisting solely of an intermediate Z-segment and proximal and distal end closed-cell segments.

50. A modular stent as recited in claim 49 wherein said proximal closed-cell segment of said proximal Type A module and said distal closed-cell segment of said distal Type A module include proximal and distal closed-cell rings having closed-cell elements which are elongated with respect to the closed-cell elements of the remainder of the closed-cell rings.

51. A modular stent as recited in claim 49 wherein said intermediate closed-cell segment of said intermediate Type B module consists solely of a single closed-cell ring.

52. A modular stent as recited in claim 51 wherein each of said end segments of said intermediate Type B module consists solely of four Z-rings.

53. A modular stent as recited in claim 49 wherein said intermediate Z-segment of each of said pairs of Type A modules includes four Z-rings.

54. A modular stent as recited in claim 53 wherein said end closed-cell segments of each of said pair of Type A modules include a single closed-cell ring.

55. A modular stent as recited in claim 49 wherein:

said intermediate Type B module consists solely of an intermediate closed-cell segment consisting solely of a single closed-cell ring, and a pair of end Z-segments consisting solely of four Z-rings; and

wherein each of said proximal and distal end Type A modules consists solely of an intermediate Z-segment consisting solely of four Z-rings, and a pair of end closed-cell segments, each consisting solely of a single closed-cell ring.

56. A modular stent as recited in claim 55 wherein each of longitudinally adjacent rings are aligned and interconnected to each other by interconnectors situated at least at every third pair of facing aligned peaks.

57. A modular stent as recited in claim 51 wherein each of said end segments of said intermediate Type B module consists solely of two Z-rings.

58. A modular stent as recited in claim 51 wherein said intermediate Z-segment of each of said pairs of Type A modules includes three Z-rings.

59. A modular stent as recited in claim 58 wherein said end closed-cell segments of each of said pair of Type A modules include a single closed-cell ring.

60. A modular stent as recited in claim 49 wherein:

said intermediate Type B module consists solely of an intermediate closed-cell segment consisting solely of a single closed-cell ring, and a pair of end Z-segments consisting solely of two Z-rings; and

wherein each of said proximal and distal end Type A modules consists solely of an intermediate Z-segment consisting solely of three Z-rings, and a pair of end closed-cell segments, each consisting solely of a single closed-cell ring.

61. A modular stent as recited in claim 60 wherein each of longitudinally adjacent rings are aligned and interconnected to each other by interconnectors situated at least at every third pair of facing aligned peaks.

62. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 wherein at least one stent module comprise a Type A module consisting solely of an intermediate Z-segment and a pair of end closed-cell segments, and wherein window is formed centrally in the intermediate Z-segment through which the end of another stent is receivable.

63. A modular stent as recited in claim 62 wherein said Z-segment includes eight Z-rings, and each of said pair of end closed-cell segments consists solely of a single closed-cell ring.

64. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 wherein said stent is formed of fenestrated wire.

65. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 constituted by three Type B modules, each Type B module consisting solely of an intermediate closed-cell segment and a pair of end Z-segments, said three modules including an intermediate module and a pair of proximal and distal modules interconnected to the longitudinal ends of said intermediate module.

66. A modular stent as recited in claim 65 wherein said intermediate closed-cell segment of said intermediate Type B module consists solely of a single closed-cell ring and each of said end Z-segments of said intermediate Type B module consists solely of a single Z-ring.

67. A modular stent as recited in claim 66 wherein said single closed-cell ring of said intermediate closed-cell segment of said intermediate module is formed by a pair of longitudinally offset Z-rings interconnected at every other facing aligned peak and valley pair.

68. A modular stent as recited in claim 66 wherein longitudinally adjacent pairs of rings of said intermediate module are offset from each other.

69. A modular stent as recited in claim 68 wherein longitudinally adjacent rings in said intermediate module are interconnected at every fourth aligned facing peak and valley pair.

70. A modular stent as recited in claim 60 wherein

said proximal Type B end module is connected to the proximal end of said intermediate module and comprises an intermediate closed-cell segment consisting solely of a single closed-cell ring, a distal end Z-segment consisting solely of a single Z-ring interconnected to the proximal end of said intermediate module and a proximal end Z-segment consisting solely of four Z-rings, and wherein

said distal Type B end module is connected to the distal end of said intermediate module and comprises an intermediate closed-cell segment consisting solely of a single closed-cell ring, a proximal end closed-cell segment consisting solely of a single Z-ring interconnected to the distal end of said intermediate module and a distal end Z-segment consisting solely of four Z-rings.

71. A modular stent as recited in claim 70 wherein adjacent four Z-rings of said proximal and distal end Z-segments of said proximal and distal modules are offset from each other.

72. A modular stent as recited in claim 71 wherein said intermediate closed-cell segment of said intermediate Type B module consists solely of a single closed-cell ring and each of said end Z-segments of said intermediate Type B module consists solely of a single Z-ring.

73. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 constituted by an intermediate Type B module consisting solely of an intermediate closed-cell segment and a pair of end Z-segments, and a pair of proximal and distal end Type A modules, each consisting solely of an intermediate Z-segment and a pair of end closed-cell segments.

74. A modular stent as recited in claim 73 wherein said intermediate closed-cell segment of said intermediate Type B module consists solely of a single closed-cell ring and each of said end Z-segments of said intermediate Type B module consists solely of a pair of Z-rings.

75. A modular stent as recited in claim 74 wherein said single closed-cell ring of said intermediate closed-cell segment of said intermediate module is formed by a pair of aligned Z-rings interconnected at every other pair of facing aligned valleys.

76. A modular stent as recited in claim 74 wherein longitudinally adjacent rings of said intermediate module are offset from each other.

77. A modular stent as recited in claim 76 wherein longitudinally adjacent rings of said intermediate module are interconnected at every fourth aligned facing peak and valley pair.

78. A modular stent as recited in claim 73 wherein

said proximal Type A end module is connected to the proximal end of said intermediate Type B module and comprises an intermediate Z-segment consisting solely of two Z-rings, a distal end closed-cell segment consisting solely of a single closed-cell ring interconnected to the proximal end of said intermediate module and a proximal end closed-cell segment consisting solely of a single closed-cell ring, and wherein

said distal Type A end module is connected to the distal end of said intermediate Type B module and comprises an intermediate Z-segment consisting solely of two Z-rings, a proximal end closed-cell segment consisting solely of a single closed-cell ring interconnected to the distal end of said intermediate module and a distal end closed-cell segment consisting solely of a single closed-cell ring.

79. A modular stent as recited in claim 78 wherein said intermediate closed-cell segment of said intermediate Type B module consists solely of a single closed-cell ring and each of said end Z-segments of said intermediate Type B module consists solely of a pair of Z-rings.

80. A modular stent as recited in claim 79 wherein each of said closed-cell rings in said stent is formed by a pair of longitudinally aligned Z-rings interconnected at every other pair of facing aligned valleys.

81. A modular stent as in claim 1 wherein said stent is formed of a shape-memory alloy.

82. A modular stent as in claim 81 wherein said shape-memory alloy comprises superelastic nitinol.

83. A modular stent as in claim 81 wherein said stent is formed of tubular material.

84. A modular stent as in claim 83 wherein said tubular material comprises a small diameter tube corresponding to the diameter of a fully collapsed stent, which is laser cut and expanded to said expanded tubular configuration.

85. A modular stent as recited in claim 81 wherein said stent is formed of a wire material.

87. A modular stent as in claim 1 wherein said stent comprises at least two modules.

88. A modular stent as in claim 87 wherein said intermediate segments of each of said modules comprise either a closed-cell segment or a Z-segment.

89. A modular stent as in claim 88 wherein each closed-cell segment includes from 1 to 4 closed-cell rings, each closed-cell ring having from 4 to 16 closed-cell elements;

and

wherein each Z-segment includes from 1 to 8 Z-rings, each Z-ring having from 4 to 16 proximal and distal peaks.

90. A modular stent as in claim 87 wherein said intermediate segment of one of said at least two modules comprises a closed-cell segment and said intermediate segment of the other of said at least two modules comprises a Z-segment.

91. A modular stent as in claim 90 wherein each closed-cell segment includes from 1 to 4 closed-cell element annular rings, each closed-cell annular ring having from 4 to 16 closed-cell elements;

and

wherein each Z-segment includes from 1 to 8 Z-rings, each Z-ring having from 4 to 16 proximal and distal peaks.

92. A modular stent as recited in claim 1 having an outermost annular ring at each longitudinal end of the stent and wherein a radiopaque marker is applied to at least one of said outermost annular rings of the stent.

93. A modular stent as in claim 92 wherein radiopaque markers are applied to both of said outermost annular rings of the stent.

94. A modular stent as in claim 92 wherein a radiopaque marker is applied to outermost peaks of said at least one of said outermost annular rings of the stent.

86. A modular stent as in claim I wherein said stent comprises a balloon expandable stent.

95. A method of manufacturing a stent having predetermined desired arrangement of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings from a small diameter tube with uniform ring geometry, comprising the steps of:

laser-cutting the small diameter tube to define a plurality of longitudinally adjacent Z-rings, each Z-ring having a plurality of peaks and valleys, said laser-cutting step further including,

providing interconnector portions of said tube integrally joining facing aligned or offset Z-rings so that every pair of adjacent Z-rings constitutes a closed-cell ring;

expanding the small diameter tube; and

removing predetermined interconnectors portions from the expanded tube to provide the predetermined desired arrangement of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings.

96. A method of manufacturing a stent having a predetermined desired arrangement of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings with uniform ring geometry as recited in claim 95 wherein, said laser-cutting step further includes:

providing interconnectors portions to be subsequently removed in said removing step in the form of temporary interconnector portions; and

providing interconnectors portions which are not to be subsequently removed in said removing step on the form of permanent interconnector portions.

97. A method of manufacturing a stent having a predetermined desired arrangement of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings with uniform ring geometry in claim 96 wherein said temporary interconnector portions are smaller in width than said permanent interconnector portions.

98. A method of manufacturing a stent having a predetermined desired arrangement of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings with uniform ring geometry in claim 96 wherein said temporary interconnector portions include enlarged flag portions.

99. A method of manufacturing a stent having a predetermined desired arrangement of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings with uniform ring geometry in claim 96 wherein said removing step comprises removing said temporary interconnector portions mechanically.

100. A method of manufacturing a stent having a predetermined desired arrangement of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings with uniform ring geometry in claim 96 wherein said removing step comprises removing said temporary interconnector portions by laser cutting.

101. A method of manufacturing a stent having a predetermined desired arrangement of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings with uniform ring geometry as recited in claim 95 wherein

said laser-cutting step comprises includes defining a plurality of pairs of longitudinally adjacent Z-rings, each pair of adjacent Z-rings themselves defining a plurality of pairs of proximate aligned or offset peaks and/or valleys'"'"' and wherein

said interconnector portion providing step comprises providing an interconnector portion integrally joining every, or every other, pair of proximate peaks and/or valleys, of every pair of adjacent Z-rings.

103. A method of manufacturing a modular stent as in claim 101 wherein the diameter of said openings is in the range of between 2 to 4 times the thickness of said slots.

102. A method for manufacturing a modular stent from a small diameter tube, comprising the steps of:

laser-cutting the small diameter tube with a plurality of thin linear slots, each having a certain thickness and at least one closed end to define a plurality of longitudinally adjacent serpentine rings, and wherein said cutting step includes,

providing at the closed ends of at least some of said slots enlarged openings having diameters greater than the thickness dimension of said slots, and

expanding the small diameter tube.

104. A method of manufacturing a stent having a plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings from a small diameter tube when a desired arrangement of said plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings has been predetermined, comprising the steps of:

prior to determining a desired arrangement of said plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings, laser-cutting the small diameter tube to define a plurality of longitudinally adjacent Z-rings, each Z-ring having a plurality of peaks and valleys, said laser-cutting step further including,

providing interconnector portion of said tube integrally joining facing aligned or offset Z-rings so that every pair of adjacent Z-rings constitutes a closed-cell ring;

expanding the small diameter tube to form a stent blank;

after expanding the small diameter tube to form a stent blank, determining a desired arrangement of said plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings based on the intended application of the stent being manufactured; and

removing certain interconnector portions from the stent blank to provide a stent having the desired arrangement of said plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings.

105. A method of manufacturing a stent having a plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings from a small diameter tube when a desired arrangement of said plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings has been predetermined as recited in claim 104 wherein said removing step comprises removing said certain interconnector portions mechanically.

106. A method of manufacturing a stent having a plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings from a small diameter tube when a desired arrangement of said plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings has been predetermined as recited in claim 104 wherein said laser-cutting step includes defining a plurality of pairs of longitudinally adjacent Z-rings, substantially each pair of adjacent Z-rings themselves defining a plurality of pairs of proximate aligned peaks;

and wherein

said interconnector portion providing step comprises providing an interconnector portion integrally joining every pair of proximate aligned peaks of every pair of adjacent Z-rings form a blank.

109. A method of manufacturing a stent having a plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings from a small diameter tube when a desired arrangement of said plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings has been predetermined as recited in claim 104 wherein said laser-cutting step includes defining a-plurality of pairs of longitudinally adjacent Z-rings, substantially each pair of adjacent Z-rings themselves defining a plurality of pairs of proximate aligned valleys;

and wherein

said interconnector portion providing steps comprises providing an interconnector portion integrally joining every pair of proximate aligned valleys of every pair of adjacent Z-rings to form a blank.

110. A method of manufacturing a stent having a plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings from a small diameter tube when a desired arrangement of said plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings has been predetermined as recited in claim 109 wherein said removing step comprises:

removing interconnector portions from between at least two circumferentially adjacent pairs of proximate aligned valleys of selected pairs of adjacent Z-rings to form at least one Z-ring of said stent.

112. A method of manufacturing a stent having a plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings from a small diameter tube when a desired arrangement of said plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings has been predetermined as recited in claim 104 wherein said laser-cutting step includes defining a plurality of pairs of longitudinally adjacent Z-rings substantially each pair of adjacent Z-rings themselves defining a plurality of proximate aligned peak and valley pairs, and wherein

said interconnector portion providing step comprises providign an interconnector portion integrally joining every proximate aligned peak and valley pair of substantially every pair of adjacent Z-rings to form a blank.

113. A method of manufacturing a stent having a plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings from a small diameter tube when a desired arrangement of said plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings has been predetermined as recited in claim 112 wherein said removing step comprises:

removing interconnector portions from between at least two circumferentially adjacent proximate aligned peak and valley pairs of selected pairs of adjacent Z-rings to form at least one Z-rings of said stent.

108. A method of manufacturing a stent having a plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings from a small diameter tube when a desired arrangement of said plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings has been predetermined s recited in claim 107 wherein said removing step comprises:

removing interconnector portions from between at least two circumferentially adjacent pairs of proximate aligned peaks of selected pairs of adjacent Z-rings to form at least one Z-ring of said stent.

111. A method of manufacturing a stent having a plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings from a small diameter tube when a desired arrangement of said plurality of interconnected closed-cell rings and Z-rings has been predetermined as recited in claim 107 wherein said removing step comprises removing interconnector portions from between every other pair of proximate aligned valleys of selected pairs of adjacent Z-rings to form closed-cell rings.