Radially expansible vessel scaffold having modified radiopacity

• US 20040088043A1
• Filed: 10/27/2003
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avantec Vascular Corporation
• Original Assignee: Avantec Vascular Corporation
• Inventors: Klein, Enrique J.
• Application Number:
  US10/695,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20040088043A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0095 Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/86 Stents in a form characterised by the wire-like elements; Stents in the form characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• 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 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/825 having longitudinal struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/8486 provided on at least one of the ends
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91508 the meander having a difference in amplitude along the band
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91516 the meander having a change in frequency along the band
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91525 within the whole structure different bands showing different meander characteristics, e.g. frequency or amplitude
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91541 Adjacent bands are arranged out of phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9155 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 2250/0018 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0039 differing in diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers

Abstract

The present invention provides improved prostheses and methods for their endolumenal placement within body lumens, particularly blood vessels. In one embodiment, the prosthesis of the present invention comprises a plurality of radially expansible rings having, a plurality of beams connecting axially remote points on adjacent rings, and a plurality of expansion joints connecting axially proximate points on adjacent rings. The beams maintain the remote points at a fixed distance when the prosthesis is radially expanded and the expansion joints allow for relative movement of the proximate points during delivery of the prosthesis. The combination of the beams and expansion joints minimizes the risk of injury to the body lumen during delivery of the prosthesis to a target site and provides improved tracking capabilities.

Claims

1. An expandable tubular stent comprising:

an expandable tubular body having a first end, a second end, a plurality of interconnected cylindrical wall sections including a first cylindrical wall section at the first end of the tubular body, a second cylindrical wall section at the second end of the tubular body, and at least one intermediate cylindrical wall section between the first and second cylindrical wall sections, and

a plurality of S-shaped connectors which extend between and are secured to a cylindrical wall section and a longitudinally adjacent cylindrical wall section and configured to provide both expansion and contraction between adjacent cylindrical wall sections.

2. The expandable tubular stent of claim 1, wherein the S-shaped connectors comprise a double curvature shape.

3. The expandable tubular stent of claim 1, wherein the connecting members are secured to proximate points of adjacent cylindrical wall sections.

4. The expandable tubular stent of claim 2, wherein the connecting members are secured to proximate points of adjacent cylindrical wall sections.

5. The expandable tubular stent of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the S-shaped connectors, connect at least some of the longitudinally adjacent cylindrical wall sections extending along an intermediate section of the stent which is disposed between ends of the stent.

6. An expandable tubular stent comprising:

an expandable tubular body having a first end, a second end, a plurality of interconnected cylindrical wall sections including a first cylindrical wall section at the first end of the tubular body, a second cylindrical wall section at the second end of the tubular body, and at least one intermediate cylindrical wall section between the first and second cylindrical wall sections, having an unexpanded and expanded configuration; and

a plurality of S-shaped connectors which extend between and are secured to a cylindrical wall section and a longitudinally adjacent cylindrical wall section and configured to provide a flexibility in both the expanded and unexpanded configurations.

7. An expandable tubular stent comprising:

an expandable tubular body having a first end, a second end, a plurality of interconnected cylindrical wall segments including a first cylindrical wall segment at the first end of the tubular body, a second cylindrical wall segment at the second end of the tubular body, and at least one intermediate cylindrical wall segment between the first and second cylindrical wall segments, and at least one extendable connector which has a first end secured to a cylindrical wall segment at a first location and a second end secured to a longitudinally adjacent cylindrical wall segment at a second location circumferentially off set from the first location.

8. The expandable tubular stent of claim 7, wherein the at least one extendable connector has an S-shape.

9. The expandable tubular stent of claim 7, wherein the at least one extendable connector has a double curvature.

10. The expandable tubular stent of claim 7, wherein the at least one extendable connector is configured to provide both expansion and contraction between adjacent cylindrical wall segments.

11. The expandable tubular stent of claim 7, wherein a plurality of cylindrical wall segments have at least one extendable connector which has a first end secured to a cylindrical wall segment at a first location and a second end secured to a longitudinally adjacent cylindrical wall segment at a second location circumferentially off set from the first location.