Endoprosthesis having foot extensions

• US 20070021834A1
• Filed: 06/30/2006
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Abbott Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Yribarren, Travis, Young, Eugene, Eli, Erik, Borg, Russ, Trask, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,048,146 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/16.110
• 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 2002/91525 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 2002/91541 Adjacent bands are arranged out of phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91591 Locking connectors, e.g. using male-female connections
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0041 using additional screws, bolts, dowels or rivets, e.g. connecting screws
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped
• 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. A method for inserting a radiopaque marker in an endoprosthesis, comprising:

a. fabricating an endoprosthesis having at least one eyelet sized to receive a radiopaque marker therein;

b. pre-forming a first head on a radiopaque marker member;

c. disposing said marker member within an eyelet of the endoprosthesis, wherein said first head projects above a surface of the endoprosthesis; and

d. forming a second head on a second end of the marker member, said second head projecting above a second surface of the endoprosthesis.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said pre-forming step comprises placing the marker member in a clamp and using an off-center drill to form said first head.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method of disposing the marker within an eyelet further comprises the step of using a pair of pliers to seat the marker within the eyelet.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the pliers have a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein the second jaw includes a concave surface.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said concave surface is configured to receive said first head of said marker.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of form ing the second head further comprises the steps of;

a. inserting said endoprothsesis into a fixture having a receiving member and aligning a marker forming pin with the second end of the marker;

b. applying a force to the fixture, thereby causing the marker forming pin to deform the second end of the marker and form the second head.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the radiopaque marker member is annealed.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein after annealing the marker has a Rockwell hardness between about 20 and 50.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the radiopaque marker member is formed of a material selected from the group consisting of tantalum, silver, gold, stainless steel.

10. 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.

11. The endoprosthesis of claim 10, further including a marker housing associated with one of the annular elements and extending from one of the ends.

12. The endoprosthesis of claim 11, wherein the marker comprises a rivet.

13. The endoprosthesis of claim 12, wherein the connector further comprises a non-bio-absorbable material.

14. The endoprosthesis of claim 10, wherein the endoprosthesis is fabricated from a material chosen from the group consisting of nitinol, tantalum, stainless steel, cobalt, a composite material.

15. The endoprosthesis of claim 10, 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.

16. The endoprosthesis of claim 10, wherein one of the annular rings further includes at least one foot extension extending between a pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members.

17. The endoprosthesis of claim 16, 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.

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

19. The endoprosthesis of claim 17, wherein the foot extension further includes a modulator member disposed adjacent the first foot portion and the second foot portion, the modulator member coupled to adjacent strut members.

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