Optimized flex link for expandable stent

• US 20070255391A1
• Filed: 09/08/2004
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cardinal Health Switzerland 515 GmbH (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cordis Corporation (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Majercak, David, Niermann, Volker, Hojeibane, Hikmat
• Granted Patent: US 8,961,583 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.150
• 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 2002/91541 Adjacent bands are arranged out of phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 conical

Abstract

This invention relates generally to an expandable intraluminal medical device for use within a body passageway or duct, and more particularly to an optimized stent having flexible links that minimize foreshortening during stent deployment. In one embodiment of the present invention the intraluminal prosthetic device includes a first hoop section, a second hoop section, and one or more flex members attached between the first and the second hoop section. Each flex member comprises two generally longitudinally extending curved segments connected by a circumferentially undulating segment.

Claims

1. An intraluminal prosthetic device comprising:

a first hoop section;

a second hoop section;

a plurality of flex members, each flex member having a first and a second end, wherein the first end of each flex member is attached to the first hoop section and the second end of each flex member is attached to the second hoop section, each flex member comprising two generally longitudinally extending curved segments connected by a circumferentially undulating segment.

2. The intraluminal prosthetic device of claim 1 wherein the first and the second hoop sections comprise a plurality of longitudinally arranged strut members, and a plurality of loop members connecting the adjacent strut members.

3. The intraluminal prosthetic device of claim 2 wherein the longitudinally arranged struts are connected at opposite ends in a substantially “

Z”

shaped pattern.

4. The intraluminal prosthetic device of claim 2 wherein the first end of the flex member is attached to one loop on the first hoop section, and the second end of the flex link is attached to one loop on the second hoop section.

5. The intraluminal prosthetic device of claim 1 wherein the circumferentially undulating segment has a centerline length and an overall length, wherein the centerline length is between approximately five and twenty five percent greater that the overall length.

6. The intraluminal prosthetic device of claim 4 wherein the centerline length is approximately twelve percent greater that the overall length.

7. An intraluminal prosthetic device comprising:

a first hoop section;

a second hoop section;

one or more flex members attached between the first and the second hoop section, wherein the flex member comprises at least two generally longitudinally extending curved segments connected by a circumferentially undulating segment.

8. A flex member for connecting adjacent hoop sections of an expandable stent, the flex member comprising at least two generally longitudinally extending curved segments connected by a circumferentially undulating segment.

9. The flex member of claim 8 wherein the circumferentially undulating segment has a centerline length and an overall length, wherein the centerline length is between approximately five and twenty five percent greater that the overall length.

10. An intraluminal prosthetic device comprising:

a first hoop section;

a second hoop section;

one or more flex members attached between the first and the second hoop section, wherein the flex member comprises four generally longitudinally extending curved segments connected by three generally circumferentially undulating segments.