STENT HAVING HELICAL ELEMENTS

• US 20080288053A1
• Filed: 07/24/2008
• Published: 11/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: OrbusNeich Medical Pte Ltd
• Original Assignee: Orbusneich Medical Incorporated (Orbusneich Medical)
• Inventors: CAMP, David L. JR., BECKER, Gary J., PAZIENZA, John D., ADDONIZIO, Scott J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,382,820 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.22
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• 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 2002/91508 the meander having a difference in amplitude along the band
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91516 the meander having a change in frequency along the band
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91525 within the whole structure different bands showing different meander characteristics, e.g. frequency or amplitude
• 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 2002/9155 Adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0013 Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped

Abstract

An expandable stent comprised of a plurality of helical segments is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stent is generally cylindrical in shape having a cylindrical axis, and comprises a first and second set of helical segments. The helical segments in the first set are substantially parallel and have a first pitch forming a first helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. The helical segments in the second set are also generally parallel to each other and form a second pitch that differs from the first pitch, thereby forming a second helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. In an alternative embodiment, the stent comprises one set of helical segments and a plurality of circumferential elements that are joined together by the helical segments to form a plurality of cylindrical elements which are joined together to form a stent body. The stent may also have endzones.

Claims

1. A stent comprising:

a plurality of contiguous filaments arranged to form;

(i) a first helical segment having a first repetitious pattern that comprises peaks and valleys and (ii) a second helical segment having a second repetitious pattern;

wherein the first and second segments are joined together by radially expandable connecting bridges that are integral portions of the first and second segments and wherein the segments cross each other.

2. The stent of claim 1, wherein the first and second segments have different pitches.

3. The stent of claim 1, wherein the pattern of the first segment is distinct from the pattern of the second segment.

4. The stent of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second repetitious patterns has an amplitude that varies.

5. The stent of claim 4, wherein at least one of the first and second repetitious patterns is generally sinusoidal.

6. A stent having an a generally cylindrical shaped body, comprising:

a first repetitious pattern of contiguous filament segments propagating generally helically through the body, the first repetitious pattern having a first pitch;

a plurality of radially expandable connecting bridges longitudinally joining one portion of the first repetitious pattern with a second portion of the first pattern; and

a second repeating pattern including the connecting bridges and portions of the first pattern, the second repeating pattern propagating helically through the body, the second repeating pattern having a second pitch that is less than the first pitch.

7. The stent of claim 6, wherein the connecting bridges are integral portions of the first and second patterns.

8. The stent of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first or second repeating patterns comprises a repetitiously changing amplitude.

9. A stent comprising:

a plurality of filament segments arranged to form a first repetitious pattern comprised of peaks and valleys advancing substantially helically along a longitudinal axis of the stent;

a plurality of radially expandable connecting bridges connecting proximal portions of the first helically advancing pattern to distal portions of the first helically advancing pattern, wherein the connecting bridges connect peaks to valleys; and

wherein the connecting bridges and the peaks and valleys that they connect are comprised of a continuous piece of material.

10. The stent of claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the first repetitious pattern is generally sinusoidal.

11. The stent of claim 9, wherein the connecting bridges are staggered to form a second repetitious helical pattern that is not parallel to the first pattern.

12. The stent of claim 11, wherein the connecting bridges forming the second pattern are not contiguous.

13. The stent of claim 9, wherein the first and second repetitious helical patterns have opposing pitches.

14. The stent of claim 13, wherein the first and second repetitious helical patterns share common filament segments.