Non-foreshortening intraluminal prosthesis
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
52 Claims
-
1-32. -32. (canceled)
-
33. A stent comprising:
-
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, at least one connector joining each annular element to an adjacent annular element, and wherein at least one connector includes a first connector having a length greater than a second connector. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
-
Specification