Intravascular stent

• US 20040106985A1
• Filed: 02/25/2003
• Published: 06/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Jang, G. David
• Application Number:
  US10/374,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20040106985A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.16
• 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 2002/91525 within the whole structure different bands showing different meander characteristics, e.g. frequency or amplitude
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91533 characterised by the phase between adjacent bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91583 by a bridge, whereby at least one of its ends is connected along the length of a strut between two consecutive apices within a band
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0013 Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0018 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0067 Means for introducing or releasing pharmaceutical products into the body

Abstract

A stent comprises a first expansion strut column of first expansion strut pairs and a second expansion strut column of second expansion strut pairs. Each first expansion strut pair is connected to a second expansion strut pair by a connecting strut. Each connecting strut comprises at least one wrap portion, the at least one wrap portion being at least partially wrapped about at least one of the first joining portions of at least one of the first expansion strut column and the second expansion strut column.

Claims

1. A stent comprising:

a first expansion strut column, the first expansion strut column being comprised of a plurality of adjacent first expansion strut pairs, each first expansion strut pair having a first expansion strut and a second expansion strut, the first expansion strut column having a plurality of first joining portions, the first expansion strut in communication with the second expansion strut at a first joining portion, the first expansion strut column having a plurality of second joining portions, each first expansion strut pair in communication with an adjacent first expansion strut pair at each second joining portion;

a second expansion strut column, the second expansion strut column being comprised of a plurality of adjacent second expansion strut pairs, each second expansion strut pair having a first expansion strut and a second expansion strut, the second expansion strut column having a plurality of first joining portions, the first expansion strut in communication with the second expansion strut at a first joining portion, the second expansion strut column having a plurality of second joining portions, each second expansion strut pair in communication with an adjacent second expansion strut pair at each second joining portion;

a first connecting strut column, the first connecting strut column comprising at least one connecting strut, the at least one connecting strut comprising a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate region therebetween,

the first end region being engaged to a portion of one of the first expansion strut pairs at a location in closer proximity to the first expansion strut than to the second expansion strut,

the intermediate region comprising a plurality of bend portions,

at least a portion of the at least one connecting strut comprising at least one wrap portion, the at least one wrap portion being at least partially wrapped about at least one of the first joining portions of at least one of the first expansion strut column and the second expansion strut column.

2. The stent of claim 1 wherein the second end region is engaged to a portion of one of the second expansion strut pairs at a location in closer proximity to the first expansion strut than to the second expansion strut.

3. The stent of claim 1 wherein the second end region is engaged to a portion of one of the second expansion strut pairs at a location substantially equal in proximity to the first expansion strut than to the second expansion strut.

4. The stent of claim 1 further comprising a third expansion strut column and a second connecting strut column,

the third expansion strut column being comprised of a plurality of adjacent third expansion strut pairs, each third expansion strut pair having a first expansion strut and a second expansion strut, the third expansion strut column having a plurality of first joining portions, the first expansion strut in communication with the second expansion strut at a first joining portion, the second expansion strut column having a plurality of second joining portions, each third expansion strut pair in communication with an adjacent third expansion strut pair at each second joining portion;

the second connecting strut column comprising at least one connecting strut, the at least one connecting strut comprising a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate region therebetween,

the first end region being engaged to a portion of one of the second expansion strut pairs at a location in closer proximity to the first expansion strut than to the second expansion strut,

the intermediate region comprising a plurality of bend portions,

at least a portion of the at least one connecting strut comprising at least one wrap portion, the at least one wrap portion being at least partially wrapped about at least one of the second joining portions of the second expansion strut column and the first joining portions of the third expansion strut column.

5. The stent of claim 4 wherein the second end region of the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column is engaged to a portion of one of the third expansion strut pairs at a location in closer proximity to the first expansion strut than to the second expansion strut.

6. The stent of claim 4 wherein the second end region of the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column is engaged to a portion of one of the second expansion strut pairs at a location substantially equal in proximity to the first expansion strut than to the second expansion strut.

7. The stent of claim 1 wherein the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut of the first connecting strut column further comprises at least one substantially linear section.

8. The stent of claim 1 wherein the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut of the first connecting strut column further comprises at least two substantially linear sections.

9. The stent of claim 8 wherein each substantially liner portion intersects an adjacent substantially linear section at one of the bend portions.

10. The stent of claim 1 wherein the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut of the first connecting strut column further comprises at least three substantially linear sections.

11. The stent of claim 10 wherein each substantially liner portion intersects an adjacent substantially linear section at one of the bend portions.

12. The stent of claim 1 wherein the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut of the first connecting strut column further comprises at least four substantially linear sections.

13. The stent of claim 12 wherein each substantially liner portion intersects an adjacent substantially linear section at one of the bend portions.

14. The stent of claim 1 wherein the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut of the first connecting strut column further comprises at least five substantially linear sections.

16. The stent of claim 4 wherein the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column further comprises at least one substantially linear section.

17. The stent of claim 4 wherein the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column further comprises at least two substantially linear sections.

18. The stent of claim 17 wherein each substantially liner portion of the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column intersects an adjacent substantially linear section at one of the bend portions.

19. The stent of claim 4 wherein the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column further comprises at least three substantially linear sections.

20. The stent of claim 19 wherein each substantially liner portion of the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column intersects an adjacent substantially linear section at one of the bend portions.

21. The stent of claim 4 wherein the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column further comprises at least four substantially linear sections.

22. The stent of claim 21 wherein each substantially liner portion of the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column intersects an adjacent substantially linear section at one of the bend portions.

23. The stent of claim 4 wherein the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column further comprises at least five substantially linear sections.

25. The stent of claim 1 wherein the at least one connecting strut comprises a single wrap portion, the wrap portion being at least partially wrapped about at least one of the first joining portions of the first expansion strut column.

26. The stent of claim 1 wherein the at least one connecting strut comprises a single wrap portion, the wrap portion being at least partially wrapped about at least one of the first joining portions of the second expansion strut column.

27. The stent of claim 1 wherein the at least one connecting strut comprises a first wrap portion and a second wrap portion, the first wrap portion being at least partially wrapped about at least one of the first joining portions of the first expansion strut column, the second wrap portion being at least partially wrapped about at least one of the first joining portions of the second expansion strut column.

28. The stent of claim 1 wherein the at least one wrap portion and the at least one first joining portion define a slot region, the slot region having a slot region width, the at least one connecting strut having a connecting strut width, the slot region width being less than the connecting strut width.

29. The stent of claim 1 wherein the at least one wrap portion is substantially parallel to the first joining portion about which the at least one wrap portion is wrapped.

30. The stent of claim 28 wherein the at least one wrap portion is substantially parallel to the first joining portion about which the at least one wrap portion is wrapped.

31. The stent of claim 1 wherein the at least one wrap portion is an extension of at least one of the first expansion strut and the second expansion strut of the first expansion strut pair.

32. The stent of claim 1 wherein the at least one wrap portion is an extension of at least one of the first expansion strut and the second expansion strut of the second expansion strut pair.

33. The stent of claim 4 wherein the at least one connecting strut of the first connecting strut column and the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column have a different shape from one another.

34. The stent of claim 33 wherein the at least one connecting strut of the first connecting strut column and the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column have a different length from one another.

35. The stent of claim 33 wherein the at least one connecting strut of the first connecting strut column and the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column have substantially the same length.

36. The stent of claim 4 wherein the at least one connecting strut of the first connecting strut column and the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column have a different length from one another.

37. The stent of claim 4 wherein the at least one connecting strut of the first connecting strut column and the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column have substantially the same length.

38. The stent of claim 4 wherein the at least one connecting strut of the first connecting strut column having a first connecting strut width and the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column having a second connecting strut width, the first connecting strut width and the second connecting strut width being different from one another.

39. The stent of claim 4 wherein the at least one connecting strut of the first connecting strut column having a first connecting strut width and the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column having a second connecting strut width, the first connecting strut width and the second connecting strut width being substantially the same.

40. The stent of claim 1 wherein the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut comprises at least three bend portions.

41. The stent of claim 1 wherein the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut comprises at least four bend portions.

42. The stent of claim 1 wherein the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut comprises at least five bend portions.

43. The stent of claim 1 wherein the first end region of the at least one connecting strut is engaged to a first expansion strut pair at an intersection of the first expansion strut and the first joining portion of the first expansion strut pair.

44. The stent of claim 1 wherein the first end region of the at least one connecting strut is engaged to a first expansion strut pair at an intersection of the second expansion strut and the first joining portion of the first expansion strut pair.

45. The stent of claim 1 wherein the first end region of the at least one connecting strut is engaged to a first expansion strut pair at a location adjacent to an intersection of the first expansion strut and the first joining portion of the first expansion strut pair.

46. The stent of claim 1 wherein the first end region of the at least one connecting strut is engaged to a first expansion strut pair at a location adjacent to an intersection of the second expansion strut and the first joining portion of the first expansion strut pair.

47. The stent of claim 45 wherein at least a portion of the at least one connecting strut is substantially parallel to the first expansion strut of the first expansion strut pair to which the at least one connecting strut is engaged.

48. The stent of claim 47 wherein the at least a portion of the at least one connecting strut is substantially parallel to the first joining portion of the first expansion strut pair to which the at least one connecting strut is engaged.

49. The stent of claim 46 wherein at least a portion of the at least one connecting strut is substantially parallel to the second expansion strut of the first expansion strut pair to which the at least one connecting strut is engaged.

50. The stent of claim 49 wherein the at least a portion of the at least one connecting strut is substantially parallel to the first joining portion of the first expansion strut pair to which the at least one connecting strut is engaged.

51. The stent of claim 1 wherein the second end region of the at least one connecting strut is engaged to a second expansion strut pair at an intersection of the first expansion strut and the first joining portion of the second expansion strut pair.

52. The stent of claim 1 wherein the second end region of the at least one connecting strut is engaged to a second expansion strut pair at an intersection of the second expansion strut and the first joining portion of the first expansion strut pair.

53. The stent of claim 1 wherein the second end region of the at least one connecting strut is engaged to a second expansion strut pair at a location adjacent to an intersection of the first expansion strut and the first joining portion of the second expansion strut pair.

54. The stent of claim 1 wherein the second end region of the at least one connecting strut is engaged to a second expansion strut pair at a location adjacent to an intersection of the second expansion strut and the first joining portion of the second expansion strut pair.

55. The stent of claim 51 wherein at least a portion of the at least one connecting strut is substantially parallel to the first expansion strut of the second expansion strut pair to which the at least one connecting strut is engaged.

56. The stent of claim 55 wherein the at least a portion of the at least one connecting strut is substantially parallel to the first joining portion of the second expansion strut pair to which the at least one connecting strut is engaged.

57. The stent of claim 52 wherein at least a portion of the at least one connecting strut is substantially parallel to the second expansion strut of the second expansion strut pair to which the at least one connecting strut is engaged.

58. The stent of claim 57 wherein the at least a portion of the at least one connecting strut is substantially parallel to the first joining portion of the second expansion strut pair to which the at least one connecting strut is engaged.

59. The stent of claim 1 wherein the at least one wrap portion of the at least one connecting strut extends longitudinally and circumferentially away from the first expansion strut pair to which the at least one connecting strut is engaged.

60. The stent of claim 1 wherein the at least one wrap portion of the at least one connecting strut extends longitudinally and circumferentially away from the second expansion strut pair to which the at least one connecting strut is engaged.

61. The stent of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the first expansion strut and at least a portion of the second expansion strut of each first expansion strut pair being substantially parallel.

62. The stent of claim 61 wherein the at least a portion of the first expansion strut and the at least a portion of the second expansion strut are not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stent.

63. The stent of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the first expansion strut and at least a portion of the second expansion strut of each second expansion strut pair being substantially parallel.

64. The stent of claim 63 wherein the at least a portion of the first expansion strut and the at least a portion of the second expansion strut are not parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stent.

65. The stent of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first expansion strut and the second expansion strut of each first expansion strut pair being substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stent.

66. The stent of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first expansion strut and the second expansion strut of each second expansion strut pair being substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stent.

67. The stent of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first expansion strut and the second expansion strut of a first expansion strut pair comprised at least one stepped notch.

68. The stent of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first expansion strut and the second expansion strut of a second expansion strut pair comprises at least one stepped notch.

69. The stent of claim 67 wherein the first end region of the at least one connecting strut is engaged to the at least one stepped notch.

70. The stent of claim 68 wherein the second end region of the at least one connecting strut is engaged to the at least one stepped notch.

71. The stent of claim 1 wherein the first end region and the second end region of the at least one connecting strut have an ipsilateral orientation relative to one another.

72. The stent of claim 1 wherein the first end region and the second end region of the at least one connecting strut have a contra-lateral orientation relative to one another.

73. The stent of claim 1 wherein the at least two connecting struts of the first connecting strut column and a first expansion strut pair and a second expansion strut pair respectively engaged each thereto form an asymmetrical cell space.

74. The stent of claim 73 wherein the at least two connecting struts of the first connecting strut column and a first expansion strut pair and a second expansion strut pair respectively engaged each thereto define a cell perimeter about the asymmetrical cell space, the cell perimeter is at least 5 mm in length.

75. The stent of claim 73 wherein the at least two connecting struts of the first connecting strut column and a first expansion strut pair and a second expansion strut pair respectively engaged each thereto define a cell perimeter about the asymmetrical cell space, the cell perimeter is greater than 7 mm in length.

76. The stent of claim 1 wherein the plurality of bend portions comprise at least six bend portions.

77. The stent of claim 1 wherein the stent further comprises at least one radiopaque marker.

78. The stent of claim 77 wherein at least one of the first expansion strut pairs is configured to retain the at least one radiopaque marker.

79. The stent of claim 77 wherein at least one of the second expansion strut pairs is configured to retain the at least one radiopaque marker.

80. The stent of claim 77 wherein the at least one radiopaque marker is selected from at least one member of the group consisting of:

at least one radiopaque rivet, at least one radiopaque band, at least one radiopaque coating and any combinations thereof.

81. The stent of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first expansion strut and second expansion strut of a first expansion strut pair having at least one expansion strut bend.

82. The stent of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first expansion strut and second expansion strut of a second expansion strut pair having at least one expansion strut bend.

83. The stent of claim 81 wherein the first end region of the at least one connecting strut is engaged to the at least one expansion strut bend.

84. The stent of claim 82 wherein the second end region of the at least one connecting strut is engaged to the at least one expansion strut bend.

85. The stent of claim 1 wherein each first expansion strut pair of the first expansion strut column is both circumferentially and longitudinally offset relative to the second expansion strut pair of the second expansion strut column to which the first expansion strut pair is connected.

86. The stent of claim 1 wherein each first expansion strut pair of the first expansion strut column is only longitudinally offset relative to the second expansion strut pair of the second expansion strut column to which the first expansion strut pair is connected.

87. The stent of claim 1 wherein the at least one wrap portion of the at least one connecting strut has at least one substantially linear section.

88. The stent of claim 87 wherein the at least one substantially linear section of the wrap portion is engaged to a stepped notch of one of the first expansion strut and second expansion strut.

89. The stent of claim 88 wherein the at least one substantially linear section of the wrap portion and the first expansion strut or second expansion strut to which it is engaged are substantially parallel.

90. The stent of claim 88 wherein the at least one substantially linear section of the wrap portion and the first expansion strut or second expansion strut to which it is engaged define an angle of about 180 to about 135 degrees.

91. The stent of claim 88 wherein the at least one substantially linear section of the wrap portion and the first expansion strut or second expansion strut to which it is engaged define an angle of about 135 degrees or more.

92. The stent of claim 88 wherein the at least one substantially linear section extends laterally away from the stepped notch.

93. The stent of claim 1 wherein the at least one wrap portion of the at least one connecting strut comprises a first substantially linear section of the at least one connecting strut, the first substantially linear section extending longitudinally away from the first expansion strut pair to which it is engaged and a second substantially linear section of the at least one connecting strut extending from the first substantially linear section in a direction toward the first joining portion of the first expansion strut pair.

94. The stent of claim 93 wherein the at least one connecting strut further comprises a third section extending from the second substantially linear section in a direction toward the second expansion strut pair to which the at least one connecting strut is engaged.

95. The stent of claim 93 wherein the first substantially linear section is engaged to a stepped notch of one of the first expansion strut and second expansion strut of the first expansion strut pair.

96. The stent of claim 94 wherein the third substantially linear section is engaged to a stepped notch of one of the first expansion strut and second expansion strut of the second expansion strut pair.

97. The stent of claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion of the at least one connecting strut is further comprised of at least two substantially linear sections, the at least two substantially linear sections intersecting at an intersection, the intersection of the at least two substantially linear sections defining a slant angle.

98. The stent of claim 1 wherein the intermediate portion of the at least one connecting strut is further comprised of at least two substantially linear sections, the at least two substantially linear sections intersecting at an intersection, the intersection of the at least two substantially linear sections defining a radius of curvature.

99. The stent of claim 97 wherein the slant angle is obtuse.

100. The stent of claim 30 wherein the slot region width is about 0.0025 inch and the connecting strut width is about 0.0030 inch.

101. The stent of claim 1 wherein the stent is configured to deliver at least one therapeutic agent.

102. The stent of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the stent is coated with at least one therapeutic agent.

103. The stent of claim 101 wherein the at least one therapeutic agent is at least one non-genetic therapeutic agent selected from at least one member of the group consisting of:

anti-thrombogenic agents such as heparin, heparin derivatives, urokinase, and PPack (dextrophenylalanine proline arginine chloromethylketone);

anti-proliferative agents such as enoxaprin, angiopeptin, monoclonal antibodies capable of blocking smooth muscle cell proliferation, hirudin, and acetylsalicylic acid;

anti-inflammatory agents such as dexamethasone, prednisolone, corticosterone, budesonide, estrogen, sulfasalazine, and mesalamine;

antineoplastic/antiproliferative/anti-miotic agents such as paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, cisplatin, vinblastine, vincristine, epothilones, endostatin, angiostatin and thymidine kinase inhibitors;

anesthetic agents such as lidocaine, bupivacaine and ropivacaine;

anti-coagulants such as D-Phe-Pro-Arg chloromethyl keton, an RGD peptide-containing compound, heparin, antithrombin compounds, platelet receptor antagonists, anti-thrombin antibodies, anti-platelet receptor antibodies, aspirin, prostaglandin inhibitors, platelet inhibitors and tick antiplatelet peptides;

vascular cell growth promoters such as growth factor inhibitors, growth factor receptor antagonists, transcriptional activators, and translational promoters, vascular cell growth inhibitors such as growth factor inhibitors, growth factor receptor antagonists, transcriptional repressors, translational repressors, replication inhibitors, inhibitory antibodies, antibodies directed against growth factors, bifunctional molecules consisting of a growth factor and a cytotoxin;

bifunctional molecules consisting of an antibody and a cytotoxin;

cholesterol-lowering agents;

vasodilating agents; and

agents which interfere with endogenous vascoactive mechanisms, and any combinations thereof.

104. The stent of claim 101 wherein the at least one therapeutic agent is at least one genetic therapeutic agent selected from at least one member of the group consisting of:

anti-sense DNA and RNA;

DNA coding for anti-sense RNA, tRNA or rRNA to replace defective or deficient endogenous molecules;

angiogenic factors including growth factors such as acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors, vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor α and

β

, platelet-derived endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, tumor necrosis factor α

, hepatocyte growth factor and insulin like growth factor;

cell cycle inhibitors including CD inhibitors, thymidine kinase (“

TK”

) and other agents useful for interfering with cell proliferation;

at least one of the family of bone morphogenic proteins (“

BMP'"'"'s”

) such as BMP-2, BMP-3, BMP-4, BMP-5, BMP-6 (Vgr-1), BMP-7 (OP-1), BMP-8, BMP-9, BMP-10, BMP-11, BMP-12, BMP-13, BMP-14, BMP-15, and BMP-16. Any of BMP-2, BMP-3, BMP-4, BMP-5, BMP-6 and BMP-7;

dimeric proteins such as homodimers, heterodimers, or combinations thereof, alone or together with other molecules;

molecules capable of inducing an upstream or downstream effect of a BMP such as “

hedgehog”

proteins, or the DNA'"'"'s encoding them and any combinations thereof.

105. The stent of claim 101 wherein the at least one therapeutic agent is at least one type of cellular material selected from at least one member of the group consisting of:

cells of human origin (autologous or allogeneic);

cells of non-human origin (xenogeneic) and any combination thereof

106. The stent of claim 101 wherein the at least one therapeutic agent comprises at least one polymer coating, the at least one coating selected from at least one member of the group consisting of:

polycarboxylic acids;

cellulosic polymers, including cellulose acetate and cellulose nitrate;

gelatin;

polyvinylpyrrolidone;

cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone;

polyanhydrides including maleic anhydride polymers;

polyamides;

polyvinyl alcohols;

copolymers of vinyl monomers such as EVA;

polyvinyl ethers;

polyvinyl aromatics;

polyethylene oxides;

glycosaminoglycans;

polysaccharides;

polyesters including polyethylene terephthalate;

polyacrylamides;

polyethers;

polyether sulfone;

polycarbonate;

polyalkylenes including polypropylene, polyethylene and high molecular weight polyethylene;

halogenated polyalkylenes including polytetrafluoroethylene;

polyurethanes;

polyorthoesters;

proteins;

polypeptides;

silicones;

siloxane polymers;

polylactic acid;

polyglycolic acid;

polycaprolactone;

polyhydroxybutyrate valerate and blends and copolymers thereof;

coatings from polymer dispersions such as polyurethane dispersions (BAYHDROL®

, etc.), fibrin, collagen and derivatives thereof;

polysaccharides such as celluloses, starches, dextrans, alginates and derivatives;

hyaluronic acid;

squalene emulsions;

polyacrylic acid, a copolymer of polylactic acid and polycaprolactone;

medical-grade biodegradable materials such as PGA-TMC, Tyrosine-Derived Polycarbonates and arylates;

polycaprolactone co butyl acrylate and other co polymers;

Poly-L-lactic acid blends with DL-Lactic Acid;

Poly(lactic acid-co-glycolic acid);

polycaprolactone co PLA;

polycaprolactone co butyl acrylate and other copolymers;

Tyrosine-Derived Polycarbonates and arylate;

poly amino acid;

polyphosphazenes;

polyiminocarbonates;

polydimethyltrimethylcarbonates;

biodegradable CA/PO₄'"'"'s;

cyanoacrylate;

50/50 DLPLG;

polydioxanone;

polypropylene fumarate;

polydepsipeptides;

macromolecules such as chitosan and Hydroxylpropylmethylcellulose;

surface erodible material;

maleic anhydride copolymers;

zinc-calcium phosphate;

amorphous polyanhydrides;

sugar;

carbohydrate;

gelatin;

biodegradable polymers; and

polymers dissolvable in bodily fluids; and

any combinations thereof.

107. The stent of claim 1 wherein the stent defines a plurality of cavities.

108. The stent of claim 107 wherein at least one of the plurality of cavities extend through at least one of the first expansion strut, the second expansion strut, the first joining portion, the second joining portion, and the at least one connecting strut.

109. The stent of claim 107 wherein at least one of the plurality of cavities extends only partially through at least one of the first expansion strut, the second expansion strut, the first joining portion, the second joining portion, and the at least one connecting strut.

110. The stent of claim 1 wherein the stent is at least partially constructed from a shape memory material.

111. The stent of claim 1 wherein the stent is at least partially constructed form nitinol.

112. The stent of claim 1 wherein the stent is in an expanded state.

113. The stent of claim 1 wherein the stent is in the unexpanded state.

114. The stent of claim 1 wherein the stent is self-expandable.

115. The stent of claim 1 wherein the stent is balloon expandable.

116. The stent of claim 1 wherein the stent is hybrid expandable.

117. The stent of claim 1 wherein the second end region is engaged to a portion of one of the second expansion strut pairs at a location in closer proximity to the second expansion strut than to the first expansion strut.

118. The stent of claim 4 wherein the second end region of the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column is engaged to a portion of one of the third expansion strut pairs at a location in closer proximity to the second expansion strut than to the first expansion strut.

119. The stent of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut extends longitudinally and circumferentially away from the first end region of the same connecting strut.

120. The stent of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut extends longitudinally and circumferentially away from the second end region of the same connecting strut.

121. The stent of claim 4 wherein at least a portion of the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut extends longitudinally and circumferentially away from the first end region of the same connecting strut.

122. The stent of claim 4 wherein at least a portion of the intermediate region of the at least one connecting strut extends longitudinally and circumferentially away from the second end region of the same connecting strut.

123. The stent of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the first expansion strut and at least a portion of the second expansion strut of each first expansion strut pair are substantially not parallel.

124. The stent of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the first expansion strut and at least a portion of the second expansion strut of each second expansion strut pair are substantially not parallel.

125. The stent of claim 77 wherein the at least one radiopaque marker is positioned at about a distal region of the stent.

126. The stent of claim 77 wherein the at least one radiopaque marker is positioned at about a proximal region of the stent.

127. The stent of claim 77 wherein the at least one radiopaque marker is positioned at about a middle region of the stent.

128. The stent of claim 30 wherein the slot region width is about 0.0015 inch and the connecting strut width is about at least 0.002 inch.

129. A system for delivering the stent of claim 1 into a body lumen comprising:

A stent delivery catheter, the stent in an unexpanded state be disposed about a portion of the catheter, the stent being expandable from the unexpanded state to an expanded state.

130. The system of claim 129 wherein the catheter further comprises a medical balloon, the stent being disposed about at least a portion of the medical balloon.

15. The stent of claim 15 wherein each substantially liner portion intersects an adjacent substantially linear section at one of the bend portions.

24. The stent of claim 15 wherein each substantially liner portion of the at least one connecting strut of the second connecting strut column intersects an adjacent substantially linear section at one of the bend portions.

131. A stent comprising:

a first expansion strut column, the first expansion strut column being comprised of a plurality of adjacent first expansion strut pairs, each first expansion strut pair having a first expansion strut and a second expansion strut, the first expansion strut column having a plurality of distal joining portions, the first expansion strut in communication with the second expansion strut at a distal joining portion, the first expansion strut column having a plurality of proximal joining portions, each first expansion strut pair in communication with an adjacent first expansion strut pair at each proximal joining portion;

a second expansion strut column, the second expansion strut column being comprised of a plurality of adjacent second expansion strut pairs, each second expansion strut pair having a first expansion strut and a second expansion strut, the second expansion strut column having a plurality of proximal joining portions, the first expansion strut in communication with the second expansion strut at a proximal joining portion, the second expansion strut column having a plurality of distal joining portions, each second expansion strut pair in communication with an adjacent second expansion strut pair at each distal joining portion;

a first connecting strut column, the first connecting strut column comprising at least one connecting strut, the at least one connecting strut having a strut width, the at least one connecting strut comprising a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate portion therebetween, the first end region being engaged to a portion of one of the first expansion strut pairs, the second end region being engaged to a portion of one of the second expansion strut pairs, at least a portion of the intermediate region and at least a portion of at least one of the distal joining portions of the first expansion strut column defining a slot region, the slot region defining a width, the width of the slot region being no greater than the strut width of the at least one connecting strut, the intermediate region comprising at least two bend portions.

132. A stent comprising:

a first expansion strut column, the first expansion strut column being comprised of a plurality of adjacent first expansion strut pairs, each first expansion strut pair having a first expansion strut and a second expansion strut, the first expansion strut column having a plurality of first joining portions, the first expansion strut in communication with the second expansion strut at a first joining portion, the first expansion strut column having a plurality of second joining portions, each first expansion strut pair in communication with an adjacent first expansion strut pair at each second joining portion;

a second expansion strut column, the second expansion strut column being comprised of a plurality of adjacent second expansion strut pairs, each second expansion strut pair having a first expansion strut and a second expansion strut, the second expansion strut column having a plurality of first joining portions, the first expansion strut in communication with the second expansion strut at a proximal joining portion, the second expansion strut column having a plurality of second joining portions, each second expansion strut pair in communication with an adjacent second expansion strut pair at each second joining portion;

a first connecting strut column, the first connecting strut column comprising at least one connecting strut, the at least one connecting strut having a strut width, the at least one connecting strut comprising a first end region, a second end region and an intermediate region therebetween, the first end region being engaged to a portion of one of the first expansion strut pairs, the second end region being engaged to a portion of one of the second expansion strut pairs, at least a portion of the intermediate region and at least a portion of at least one of the first joining portions of at least one of the first expansion strut column and second expansion strut column defining a slot region, the slot region defining a width, the width of the slot region being no greater than the strut width of the at least one connecting strut, the intermediate region comprising at least two bend portions.

133. A stent comprising:

a plurality of substantially serpentine bands including a first substantially serpentine band and a second substantially serpentine band, the first substantially serpentine band and the second substantially serpentine band being connected by at least one connection member, the at least one connection member having a connection member width, the first substantially serpentine band having a plurality of first end portions and a plurality of second end portions, the second substantially serpentine band having a plurality of first end portions and a plurality of second end portions, the at least one connection member and at least one first end portion of at least one of the first substantially serpentine band and the second serpentine band forming a slot region, the slot region having a slot width, the slot width being no greater than the connection member width, the at least one connection member having at least two bend portions.

134. A stent comprising:

a plurality of substantially serpentine bands including a first substantially serpentine band and a second substantially serpentine band, the first substantially serpentine band and the second substantially serpentine band being connected by at least one connection member, the first substantially serpentine band having a plurality of first end portions and a plurality of second end portions, the second substantially serpentine band having a plurality of first end portions and a plurality of second end portions, the at least one connection member comprising at least one wrap portion, the at least one wrap portion extending away from one of the plurality first end potions and wrapping around at least a portion of the first end potion from which it extends, the at least one connection member having a plurality of bends.

135. A stent comprising:

a plurality of interconnected first expansion struts, the first expansion struts forming a first expansion column having a proximal end region and a distal end region, each first expansion strut in communication at a proximal end with one first expansion strut adjacent thereto and at a distal end with another first expansion strut adjacent thereto;

a plurality of interconnected second expansion struts, the second expansion struts forming a second expansion column having a proximal end region and a distal end region, each second expansion strut in communication at a proximal end with one second expansion strut adjacent thereto and at a distal end with another second expansion strut adjacent thereto;

a first connecting strut column comprising a plurality of first connecting struts, each first connecting strut having a first end region extending from the distal end region of the first expansion column at a location in closer proximity to one first expansion strut than to any other of the plurality of first expansion struts, a second end region extending from the proximal end region of the second expansion column at a location in closer proximity to one second expansion strut than to any other of the plurality of second expansion struts and an intermediate region between the first end region and the second end region, the intermediate region defining at least two bends of each first connecting strut, at least a portion of each first connecting strut comprising at least one wrap portion, the at least one wrap portion being at least partially wrapped about at least a portion of at least one of the distal end of one first expansion strut and the proximal end of one second expansion strut.