Non-foreshortening intraluminal prosthesis
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Abstract
An intraluminal prosthesis is provided with a plurality of annular elements. Each annular element includes a plurality of struts and apices connected to form an annular configuration. Each annular element has a compressed state and an expanded state, and has a longitudinal dimension which is smaller in the expanded state than in the compressed state. A plurality of connecting members connect the apices of adjacent annular elements. The connecting members have a plurality of alternating segments that function to compensate for the smaller longitudinal dimension of each annular element in the expanded state. The stent may be provided with varying flexibility along its length and/or circumference, and may include segments that have different diameters.
111 Citations
52 Claims
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1-32. -32. (canceled)
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33. A stent comprising:
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a first annular element, a second annular element disposed axially adjacent to the first annular element, and a third annular element disposed axially adjacent to the second annular element, each annular element includes a plurality of alternating struts and apices, wherein at least one connection location joins adjacent annular elements, and the number of connection locations between adjacent annular elements varies along at least a portion of a length of the stent. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
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Specification