BILIARY STENT-GRAFT
First Claim
1. An endoprosthesis for use in supporting a body conduit, said device comprising a stent having structural elements and interstices between adjacent structural elements, said stent having a first diameter prior to implantation and a second diameter following implantation wherein said first diameter is smaller than said second diameter, said stent being provided with a covering over at least a portion of said structural elements, wherein the covering comprises a material which is substantially liquid impermeable, wherein macroscopic openings are provided through the covering, and wherein one or more of said structural elements provide protruding means for anchoring said stent to said body conduit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A stent-graft which is particularly useful for applications in biliary ducts. An expandable stent is provided with a covering of a material which is substantially impervious to body fluids and tissue ingrowth and has an increased resistance to bacterial attachment due to its lack of porosity and reduced surface texture. A preferred covering is porous PTFE film rendered substantially non-porous by a coating of a polymeric material such as FEP. The resulting stent has a thin wall for minimum pre-deployment diameter and for minimum interference with fluid flow through the device after implantation. It has good flexibility, allowing its use in curved ducts.
156 Citations
45 Claims
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1. An endoprosthesis for use in supporting a body conduit, said device comprising
a stent having structural elements and interstices between adjacent structural elements, said stent having a first diameter prior to implantation and a second diameter following implantation wherein said first diameter is smaller than said second diameter, said stent being provided with a covering over at least a portion of said structural elements, wherein the covering comprises a material which is substantially liquid impermeable, wherein macroscopic openings are provided through the covering, and wherein one or more of said structural elements provide protruding means for anchoring said stent to said body conduit.
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32. An endoprosthesis for use in supporting a body conduit,
said device comprising a stent having a generally tubular form, said stent having structural elements and interstices between adjacent structural elements, said stent being provided with a covering over at least a portion of said structural elements wherein the covering comprises a material which is substantially liquid impermeable, wherein said stent comprises a single wire, wherein macroscopic openings are provided through the covering, and wherein one or more of said structural elements provide protruding means for anchoring said stent to said body conduit.
Specification