Stent

• US 20080154354A1
• Filed: 02/04/2008
• Published: 06/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Ehr, Timothy G. J., Kveen, Graig L., Brown, Brian J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,731,746 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.15
• 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 2002/91533 characterised by the phase between adjacent bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91541 Adjacent bands are arranged out of phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91583 by a bridge, whereby at least one of its ends is connected along the length of a strut between two consecutive apices within a band

Abstract

A radially expandable stent comprising a plurality of spaced band-like elements and intersecting links is disclosed. The band-like elements have a generally serpentine configuration to provide continuous waves of generally sinusoidal character to each band-like element. The waves are characterized by a plurality of peaks and troughs taking a generally longitudinal direction along the cylinder such that the waves in the band-like elements open as the stent is expanded from a first diameter to a second diameter. The intersecting links are substantially U-shaped and terminate in first and second shanks. The first shank of a link emanates from a region between a peak and trough on a band-like element and the second shank of the link emanates from a region between a peak and trough on an adjacent band-like element.

Claims

1-61. -61. (canceled)

62. A stent comprising:

a plurality of serpentine bands which form closed paths, the serpentine bands having alternating peaks and troughs, serpentine bands which are adjacent one another connected by a plurality of connectors, each connector having

a first end which extends from a first position offset from midway between a peak and a trough on one serpentine segment the first position being closer to midway between the peak and the trough than to the peak,

a second end which extends from a second position offset from midway between a peak and a trough on an adjacent serpentine segment, the second position being closer to midway between the peak and the trough than to the trough, and

a central region between the first and second ends, at least a portion of each central region having a bend therein and being U-shaped,

wherein each pair of adjacent serpentine bands defines a connector column, and wherein each central region of each connector in a connector column opens in the same circumferential direction, and

wherein the central region of each connector of adjacent connector columns open in opposite circumferential directions

63. The stent of claim 62, wherein the serpentine bands that are adjacent one another are out of phase with one another.

64. The stent of claim 63, wherein the serpentine bands that are adjacent one another are 180 degrees out of phase with one another.

65. The stent of claim 62, wherein at least a portion of each central region is disposed between one of the peaks on one serpentine band and one of the troughs on an adjacent serpentine band.

66. The stent of claim 62, wherein the stent has a first end and a second end, and wherein a series of connectors extend from the first end to the second end, the series of connectors having alternating peaks and troughs.

67. A stent comprising:

a plurality of serpentine bands which form closed paths, the serpentine bands having alternating peaks and troughs, serpentine bands which are adjacent one another connected by a plurality of connectors, each connector having

a first end which extends from a position substantially midway between a peak and a trough on one serpentine tubular segment,

a second end which extends from a position substantially midway between a peak and a trough on an adjacent serpentine tubular segment, and

a central region between the first and second ends, at least a portion of each central region having a bend therein and being U-shaped,

wherein each pair of adjacent serpentine bands defines a connector column, and wherein each central region of each connector in a connector column opens in the same circumferential direction, and

wherein the central region of each connector of adjacent connector columns open in opposite circumferential directions

68. The stent of claim 67, wherein the serpentine bands that are adjacent one another are out of phase with one another.

69. The stent of claim 68, wherein the serpentine bands that are adjacent one another are 180 degrees out of phase with one another.

70. The stent of claim 67, wherein at least a portion of each central region is disposed between one of the peaks on one serpentine band and one of the troughs on an adjacent serpentine band.

71. The stent of claim 67, wherein the stent has a first end and a second end, and wherein a series of connectors extend from the first end to the second end, the series of connectors having alternating peaks and troughs.