Endoprosthesis having foot extensions

• US 20060015173A1
• Filed: 09/16/2005
• Published: 01/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
• Inventors: Eli, Erik, Pappas, Jeff, Clifford, Anton
• Granted Patent: US 7,625,401 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.160
• 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 2002/91508 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 2002/91533 characterised by the phase between adjacent bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0076 multilayered, e.g. laminated structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0058 soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0031 made from both resorbable and non-resorbable prosthetic parts, e.g. adjacent parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers

Abstract

Endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes at least one annular element defined by a first set of strut members interconnected to define apices proximate opposite sides of the annular element. The annular element further includes a foot extension extending between at least one pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members. The foot extension has first and second foot portions extending circumferentially from corresponding ends of the circumferentially-adjacent strut members, and are contoured to provide at least two areas of flexure. The first and second foot portions are joined at a toe portion of the foot extension, and define a circumferentially-directed apex between the pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members. Preferably, at least one or more additional annular elements, each defined by interconnected strut members, are provided. The annular elements are generally expandable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. The annular elements are longitudinally aligned and connected at connection locations with connectors, wherein at least one of the connectors is constructed of a bio-absorbable material.

Claims

1. An endoprosthesis for delivery in a body lumen comprising:

a first set of interconnected strut members defining a first annular element, each strut member of the first annular element including a first end and a second end; and

a second set of interconnected strut members defining a second annular element, each strut member of the second annular element including a first end and a second end,

the first annular element and the second annular element aligned longitudinally adjacent to each other along a longitudinal axis and connected to each other with a connector at at least one connection location, wherein at least one connector is constructed of a bio-absorbable material.

2. The endoprosthesis of claim 1, further including a marker housing associated with one of the annular elements and extending from one of the ends.

3. The endoprosthesis of claim 2, wherein the marker comprises a rivet.

4. The endoprosthesis of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a non-bio-absorbable material.

5. The endoprosthesis of claim 1, wherein the endoprosthesis of fabricated from nitinol.

7. The endoprosthesis of claim 1, wherein the endoprosthesis is fabricated from a material chosen from the group consisting of nitinol, tantalum, stainless steel, cobalt, a composite material.

8. The endoprosthesis of claim 7, wherein the endoprosthesis is balloon expandable.

9. The endoprosthesis of claim 5, wherein the endoprosthesis is self-expanding from a delivery profile to a deployed profile.

10. The endoprosthesis of claim 1, wherein the bio-absorbable connector is constructed of a material chosen from the group consisting of Polygycolic acid (PGA), Polyhydroxybutyric acid, PolyL-Lactic acid (PLLA), Polydilactidel glycolide, Polydilactid acid, PolyDL lactide-co-gycolide.

6. The endoprosthesis of claim 6, wherein the endoprosthesis is fabricated from a tubular member.

11. An endoprosthesis for delivery in a body lumen comprising:

a first set of interconnected strut members defining a first annular element; and

a second set of interconnected strut members defining a second annular element;

the first annular element and the second annular element disposed adjacent to each other and connected to each other with a connector at at least one connection location, wherein at least one connector is constructed of a bio-absorbable material.

12. The endoprosthesis of claim 11, further including a marker housing associated with at least one of the annular elements.

13. The endoprosthesis of claim 11, wherein the bio-absorbable connector includes a beneficial agent.

14. The endoprosthesis of claim 11, wherein at least one of the bio-absorbable connectors is selectively bio-absorbable.

15. The endoprosthesis of claim 11, wherein the endoprosthesis is fabricated from a tubular member.

16. The endoprosthesis of claim 11, wherein the endoprosthesis is fabricated from a material chosen from the group consisting of nitinol, tantalum, plastics, stainless steel, cobalt, or a composite material.

17. The endoprosthesis of claim 11, wherein one of the annular rings further includes at least one foot extension extending between a pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members.

18. The endoprosthesis of claim 17, wherein the foot extension has a first foot portion extending circumferentially from a first end of one of the circumferentially-adjacent strut members and a second foot portion extending circumferentially from a first end of the other of the circumferentially-adjacent strut members.

19. The endoprosthesis of claim 18, wherein the first and second foot portions are joined at a toe portion of the foot extension.

20. The endoprosthesis of claim 19, wherein the bio-absorbable connector is constructed from a material chosen from the group consisting of Polygycolic acid (PGA), Polyhydroxybutyric acid, PolyL-Lactic acid (PLLA), Polydilactidel glycolide, Polydilactid acid, PolyDL lactide-co-gycolide.

21. The endoprosthesis of claim 19, wherein the connector extends from one foot extension to another foot extension.

22. The endoprosthesis of claim 11, wherein the connector is configured to be responsive to an applied energy.

23. The endoprosthesis of claim 22, wherein the applied energy is selected from the group consisting of ultrasonic and radio frequency.

24. The endoprosthesis of claim 11, wherein the connector comprises a bio-absorbable component and a metallic component.