Endoprosthesis Having Foot Extensions

• US 20070021827A1
• Filed: 09/27/2006
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anton Clifford, David Lowe, Erik Eli, Howard Huang, Jeff Pappas, Kevin Kang
• Original Assignee: Anton Clifford, David Lowe, Erik Eli, Howard Huang, Jeff Pappas, Kevin Kang
• Inventors: Huang, Howard, Eli, Erik, Lowe, David, Pappas, Jeff, Kang, Kevin, Clifford, Anton
• Granted Patent: US 7,559,947 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 2230/0043 L-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped

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. Preferably, each connection location includes a foot extension, such as by an overlapping pattern between the longitudinally-adjacent annular elements or by a connector extending therebetween.

Claims

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

a plurality of annular elements, said annular elements composed of a plurality of interconnected strut members having a first end and a second end;

at least one of the annular elements including a foot extension extending between at least one pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members, the foot extension including a first foot portion extending circumferentially from the first end of one of the circumferentially-adjacent foot strut members of the pair and a second foot portion extending circumferentially from the first end of the other of the circumferentially-adjacent strut members, the first and second foot portions joined at a toe portion of the foot extension; and

wherein the plurality of annular elements are interconnected to form a generally tubular structure having a first end and a second end, wherein in a deployed configuration, the first end having a generally larger expanded diameter than the expanded diameter of the second end.

2. The endoprosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the first end of selected circumferentially-adjacent strut members of each annular elements are interconnected to define apices proximate a first longitudinal side of the annular elements and the second end of selected circumferentially-adjacent strut members of the annular elements are interconnected to define apices proximate a second longitudinal side of each of the annular elements, wherein each of the annular elements are interconnected to form a tubular type structure.

3. The endoprosthesis according to claim 2, wherein said foot portion defines at least two areas of flexure.

4. The endoprosthesis according to claim 3, wherein said first foot portion has a width different than that of the second foot portion.

5. The endoprosthesis according to claim 2, wherein the struts including the first and second foot portions have a greater length that those that do not.

6. The endoprosthesis according to claim 2, wherein all of said foot extensions extend in the same circumferential direction.

7. The endoprosthesis according to claim 2, wherein at least one foot extension extends in a circumferential direction opposite the others.

8. The endoprosthesis according to claim 2, wherein the foot extensions are evenly spaced about the tubular structure.

9. The endoprosthesis according to claim 2, wherein the foot extensions are spaced in a staggered fashion about the tubular body.

10. The endoprosthesis according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of annular elements are interconnected to each other at at least one connection location.

11. The endoprosthesis according to claim 10, wherein each connection location is a connector member extending between adjacent annular elements.

12. The endoprosthesis according to claim 11, wherein the connection location is defined by an overlapping geometric pattern of adjacent annular elements.

13. The endoprosthesis according to claim 10, wherein at least one foot extension includes a base portion generally facing an opposed annular element, wherein the base portion provides an elongated region in which a connection location can be disposed.

14. The endoprosthesis according to claim 1, wherein the endoprosthesis further includes a radiopaque marker.

15. The endoprosthesis according to claim 14, wherein the radiopaque marker is disposed within at least one eyelet formed on at least one end of the tubular member.

16. The endoprosthesis according to claim 15, wherein a second radiopaque marker is disposed on the opposite end of the tubular member.