STENT SEGMENTS AXIALLY CONNECTED BY THIN FILM
First Claim
1. A method for fabricating a stent for insertion into a vessel of a patient, the method comprising:
- a) forming a plurality of discrete hoops by cutting a tube having a thickness and inner and outer diameters into patterns comprising a plurality of longitudinal struts and a plurality of loops connecting adjacent struts to form a continuous serpentine patter around the diameter of each discrete hoop;
b) orienting the plurality of discrete hoops in spaced apart relationship along a longitudinal axis;
b) vapor depositing a thin film tube having inner and outer diameters; and
c) attaching the thin film tube to the plurality of hoops.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a stent for insertion into a vessel of a patient and a method for manufacturing the same. The stent has front and back open ends and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The stent has a plurality of adjacent hoops that are held in alignment with the longitudinal axis between the front and back open ends by a thin film tube. The hoops are attached to either the inner or outer surface of the thin film tube. The stent is compressed into a first smaller diameter for insertion into the vessel with a delivery tube and a second larger diameter for deployment into the vessel. The inventive stent can be retracted into the delivery tube if it is improperly deployed.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for fabricating a stent for insertion into a vessel of a patient, the method comprising:
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a) forming a plurality of discrete hoops by cutting a tube having a thickness and inner and outer diameters into patterns comprising a plurality of longitudinal struts and a plurality of loops connecting adjacent struts to form a continuous serpentine patter around the diameter of each discrete hoop; b) orienting the plurality of discrete hoops in spaced apart relationship along a longitudinal axis; b) vapor depositing a thin film tube having inner and outer diameters; and c) attaching the thin film tube to the plurality of hoops. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification