Stents With Biodegradable Connectors And Stabilizing Elements
First Claim
1. A multiple stent delivery structure for deployment of more than one stent segment, the structure comprising:
- a plurality of separate, self-expandable stent segments configured in linear order and disposed over an inner catheter, a first stent segment of the plurality of self-expandable stent segments having a first proximal end portion and a first distal end portion, a second stent segment of the plurality of self-expandable stent segments having a second proximal end portion and a second distal end portion, the second proximal end portion being adjacent to the first distal end portion, anda first spacer element affixed to an outer surface of the inner catheter, the first spacer element situated between the first and second stent segments, the first spacer element having a first depth sufficient to prevent contact of the first and second stent segments during deployment of the first and second stent segments at a treatment site when the outer sheath is positioned proximal relative to the inner catheter.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Various stent structures are provided with improved axial and torsional flexibility. One type of stent structure includes multiple segmented stent structures connected to each other by biodegradable interconnectors. A delivery system adapted to delivery the multiple segmented stents is also described. Another type of stent structure includes biodegradable connectors that are incorporated into a framework of non-biodegradable interconnecting members that form the support structure of the stent. The biodegradable connectors in both stent structures degrade or are absorbed after the stent is deployed. Stabilizing elements may be provided to the stent structures to supplement the stiffness of the stent with stability during loading and deployment.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A multiple stent delivery structure for deployment of more than one stent segment, the structure comprising:
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a plurality of separate, self-expandable stent segments configured in linear order and disposed over an inner catheter, a first stent segment of the plurality of self-expandable stent segments having a first proximal end portion and a first distal end portion, a second stent segment of the plurality of self-expandable stent segments having a second proximal end portion and a second distal end portion, the second proximal end portion being adjacent to the first distal end portion, and a first spacer element affixed to an outer surface of the inner catheter, the first spacer element situated between the first and second stent segments, the first spacer element having a first depth sufficient to prevent contact of the first and second stent segments during deployment of the first and second stent segments at a treatment site when the outer sheath is positioned proximal relative to the inner catheter.
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2. An intraluminal stent, comprising:
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a first supporting end, a second supporting end, and a plurality of struts extending between the first supporting end and the second supporting end to define a generally cylindrical body, the cylindrical body having a lumen and a longitudinal length, the struts being self-expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration; a stabilizing element comprising a first end, a second end, and a fixed length therebetween, the first end connected to a first strut and the second end connected to a second strut; and wherein the stabilizing element spans between the first strut and the second strut without obstructing the lumen to supplement the stiffness of the stent. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An intraluminal stent, comprising:
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a support structure comprising a first ring and an adjacent second ring, said first ring and said second ring generally defining a circumference of said support structure and being longitudinally spaced apart; an interconnecting member connected at one end to said first ring and connected at another end to said second ring, said interconnecting member being made from a non-biodegradable material; and a biodegradable connector connected at one end to said first ring and connected at another end to said second ring, said biodegradable connector extending along less than an entire length of said support structure and being circumferentially spaced away from said interconnecting member. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of manufacturing a stent with stabilizing elements, comprising the steps of:
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(a) inserting an expandable stent into a transfer tube, the transfer tube comprising one or more slots; (b) expanding the stent partially within the slotted transfer tube; (c) spraying a semi-rigid or rigid polymeric material through the one or more slots onto an outer surface of a plurality of struts of the stent; and (d) curing the sprayed outer surface - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An intraluminal stent, comprising:
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a first supporting end, a second supporting end, and a plurality of struts extending between the first supporting end and the second supporting end to define a generally cylindrical body having a lumen and a longitudinal length, the struts being self-expandable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration; one or more stabilizing polymeric strips comprising a first end, a second end, and a fixed length therebetween, the first end affixed to a first supporting end and the second end affixed to a second supporting end, the one or more stabilizing polymeric strips comprising frangible zones; and wherein the one or more stabilizing polymeric strips extends between the first strut and the second strut to supplement the stiffness of the stent. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification