Stent having a multiplicity of undulating longitudinals
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for implanting a balloon expandable stent at a site within a passageway of a curved coronary article. The stent includes at least two longitudinally spaced apart circumferential rings. At least one longitudinally extending connector extends between adjacent rings. The connector has at least one turn back portion that can expand or contract in length while being passed through a curved passageway. The stent is disposed on a stent delivery catheter having an inflatable balloon. The stent delivery catheter and the stent is delivered through the passageway to the site of implementation with the connector member expanding or contracting in length to facilitate delivery and placement of the stent. The stent is expanded at the site of implantation by inflating the balloon to force the stent radially outward against the wall of the coronary artery.
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Citations
34 Claims
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1-20. -20. (canceled)
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21. A generally cylindrical, balloon-expandable stent for delivery to a desired location in a coronary artery on a stent delivery catheter, said stent having a first, pre-deployment linear configuration and diameter and a second, deployed diameter that expands the coronary artery at the desired location, said stent being a unitary structure cut from a pre-existing, thin-walled metal tube and having a circumference and a longitudinal axis, said stent having sufficient flexibility to permit percutaneous delivery to a curved coronary artery;
- said stent in its first pre-deployment diameter, comprising;
a plurality of frame elements that define a plurality of spaced apart, generally cylindrical, longitudinal aligned segments of the stent that provide radial support to the stent; and a plurality of non-linear connecting elements interconnecting the cylindrical segments to one another, each of the connecting elements having first and second end portions, at least a central portion of each connecting element intermediate the ends thereof being circumferentially and longitudinally arcuate, in said first pre-deployment linear configuration, so that said portion can flex so that the connecting elements can expand or contract in length, as measured by the straight line distance between the respective end portions thereof, as the stent is being passed through a curved coronary artery. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
- said stent in its first pre-deployment diameter, comprising;
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28. A generally cylindrical, balloon expandable stent for delivery to a desired location in a coronary artery on a stent delivery catheter, said stent having a first, pre-deployment linear configuration and diameter and a second, deployed diameter that expands the coronary artery at the desired location, said stent being a unitary structure cut from a pre-existing thin-walled metal tube and having a circumference and a longitudinal axis, said stent having sufficient flexibility to permit percutaneous delivery to a curved coronary artery;
- said stent in its first pre-deployment diameter, comprising;
a plurality of longitudinally-aligned first frame elements that partially define the circumference of the stent and that provide radial support to the stent; and a plurality of generally longitudinally extending, non-linear connector elements that further define the circumference of the stent, said connector elements have first and second end portions that are fixedly connected and extend between two of said first frame elements that are longitudinally displaced with respect to one another, said connector elements having a circumferentially and longitudinally arcuate central portion between their first and second end portions, in said first pre-deployment linear configuration, so that the connector elements can expand or contract in length by flexure of said arcuate portion, as measured by the straight line distance between the first and second end portions thereof, as the stent is being passed through a curved coronary artery. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
- said stent in its first pre-deployment diameter, comprising;
Specification