Temporal Intraluminal Stent, Methods of Making and Using
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A polymer stent comprising:
- a tubular structure formed of a polymer and including an iodinated contrast agent, said structure comprising one or more strength modules comprising one or more radially expandable tubular elements, said strength modules being interconnected by one or more axial linking elements for stent flexibility, wherein said tubular structure is radially expandable between at least an unexpanded diameter and an expanded diameter, andwherein at least one of the strength modules has a locking mechanism comprising a first and a second locking member, said first locking member being fixedly attached at a valley of the tubular element and said second locking member being fixedly attached at the valley of the tubular element, wherein said first and second locking members are located opposite each other on radially expandable tubular elements such that said first and second locking members are not interlocked with one another when said tubular structure is in the unexpanded diameter and said first and second locking members are interlocked with one another when said tubular structure is in said expanded diameter, whereby the tubular structure is locked at said expanded diameter.
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Abstract
A biodegradable polymer stent with radiopacity and a method of making and using a stent with enhanced mechanical strength and/or controlled degradation for use in a bodily lumen is described.
196 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A polymer stent comprising:
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a tubular structure formed of a polymer and including an iodinated contrast agent, said structure comprising one or more strength modules comprising one or more radially expandable tubular elements, said strength modules being interconnected by one or more axial linking elements for stent flexibility, wherein said tubular structure is radially expandable between at least an unexpanded diameter and an expanded diameter, and wherein at least one of the strength modules has a locking mechanism comprising a first and a second locking member, said first locking member being fixedly attached at a valley of the tubular element and said second locking member being fixedly attached at the valley of the tubular element, wherein said first and second locking members are located opposite each other on radially expandable tubular elements such that said first and second locking members are not interlocked with one another when said tubular structure is in the unexpanded diameter and said first and second locking members are interlocked with one another when said tubular structure is in said expanded diameter, whereby the tubular structure is locked at said expanded diameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of making a polymer stent with enhanced mechanical strength comprising the steps of:
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a.) dip-coating a mandrel with a solution comprising one or more biocompatible polymers to form a polymer tube at least one of the polymers including an iodinated contrast agent; b.) spin-drying the polymer tube around its longitudinal axis; c.) solvent-polishing and vacuum drying the polymer tube; d.) repeating steps a-c until the polymer tube reaches a desired thickness; e.) necking the polymer tube by drawing the mandrel bearing the polymer tube through one or more necking dies of decreasing diameter, wherein said necking is carried out at a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polymer and below the melting temperature of the polymer; f.) annealing the polymer tube with an inert gas; g.) removing the polymer tube from the mandrel; and h.) creating a design in said polymer tube. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A polymeric stent, comprising:
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a plurality of central lobes of approximately the same size arranged in succession at spaced intervals longitudinally defining a stent axis, there being a leading end and a trailing end for each central lobe, the trailing end of each central lobe, other than the last in the succession, being connected to the leading end of the next successive central lobe; a plurality of peripheral lobes adjoining each central lobe regularly spaced circumferentially about each respective central lobe, there being a leading peripheral lobe and a trailing peripheral lobe for each central lobe, each leading peripheral lobe adjoining the leading end of its corresponding central lobe, each trailing peripheral lobe adjoining the trailing end of its corresponding central lobe; and a plurality of longitudinal rods attached to the central lobes at one or more points around the periphery of the stent; wherein said at least a portion of at least one of the central lobes, peripheral lobes, and longitudinal rods are formed of a polymer including an iodinated contrast agent. - View Dependent Claims (17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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18. The polymer stent of claim 18, wherein the polymeric fiber is made by thermal extrusion.
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29. A method of delivering a non-metallic stent to a vessel lumen of a host, comprising;
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providing a continuous cord of non-metallic material and including an iodinated contrast agent; winding the cord to define an elongated stent having multiple successive coils, each coil having a central lobe and a plurality of peripheral lobes; attaching at least one longitudinal support element to the stent at circumferentially spaced intervals, the longitudinal support elements extending along the length of the stent; inserting a balloon into the stent; positioning the stent at an implant site; expanding the balloon to expand the stent while employing the peripheral lobes to add circumferential length to the central lobes, thus increasing the diameter of the stent; collapsing the balloon; and withdrawing the balloon to leave the stent in place at the implant site. - View Dependent Claims (22, 30)
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Specification