STENT WITH FLEXIBLE HINGE
First Claim
1. An endoprosthesis, comprising:
- an expandable tubular framework having a first end and a second end defining a length therebetween, and a lumen extending therethrough along a central longitudinal axis, the expandable tubular framework being expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state and including;
a plurality of strut rows, wherein adjacent strut rows define interstices therebetween, each interstice having a length along the central longitudinal axis and spacing the adjacent strut rows apart; and
a plurality of connectors extending across the interstices between adjacent strut rows and interconnecting adjacent strut rows, at least some of the plurality of connectors defining a flexible hinge portion;
wherein the lengths of the interstices between adjacent strut rows vary along the length of the expandable tubular framework;
wherein the plurality of connectors extends radially outward beyond an outer diameter of the plurality of strut rows in the expanded state; and
wherein the plurality of connectors is configured to engage a wall of a body lumen in the expanded state to inhibit migration of the endoprosthesis subsequent implanting the endoprosthesis in the body lumen.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An endoprosthesis may include an expandable tubular framework expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state and include a plurality of strut rows, wherein adjacent strut rows define interstices spacing the adjacent strut rows apart, and a plurality of connectors extending across the interstices and interconnecting adjacent strut rows, at least some of the plurality of connectors defining a flexible hinge portion. The lengths of the interstices between adjacent strut rows may vary along the length of the expandable tubular framework. The plurality of connectors extend radially outward beyond an outer diameter of the plurality of strut rows in the expanded state. The plurality of connectors are configured to engage a wall of a body lumen in the expanded state to inhibit migration of the endoprosthesis subsequent implanting the endoprosthesis in the body lumen.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An endoprosthesis, comprising:
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an expandable tubular framework having a first end and a second end defining a length therebetween, and a lumen extending therethrough along a central longitudinal axis, the expandable tubular framework being expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state and including; a plurality of strut rows, wherein adjacent strut rows define interstices therebetween, each interstice having a length along the central longitudinal axis and spacing the adjacent strut rows apart; and a plurality of connectors extending across the interstices between adjacent strut rows and interconnecting adjacent strut rows, at least some of the plurality of connectors defining a flexible hinge portion; wherein the lengths of the interstices between adjacent strut rows vary along the length of the expandable tubular framework; wherein the plurality of connectors extends radially outward beyond an outer diameter of the plurality of strut rows in the expanded state; and wherein the plurality of connectors is configured to engage a wall of a body lumen in the expanded state to inhibit migration of the endoprosthesis subsequent implanting the endoprosthesis in the body lumen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An endoprosthesis, comprising:
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an expandable tubular framework having a first end and a second end defining a length therebetween, and a lumen extending therethrough along a central longitudinal axis, the expandable tubular framework being expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state and including; a plurality of strut rows including at least a first strut row, a second strut row, a third strut row, and a fourth strut row; a first plurality of connectors extending across a first gap between the first strut row and the second strut row and interconnecting the first strut row and the second strut row, the first gap having a first length; a second plurality of connectors extending across a second gap between the third strut row and the fourth strut row and interconnecting the third strut row and the fourth strut row, the second gap having a second length; and a third plurality of connectors extending across a third gap and interconnecting adjacent strut rows intermediate the first plurality of connectors and the second plurality of connectors, the third gap having a third length; wherein the plurality of strut rows defines an outer diameter in the expanded state; wherein at least one of the first plurality of connectors, the second plurality of connectors, and the third plurality of connectors extends radially outward beyond the outer diameter in the expanded state; wherein the third length is greater than the first length and the second length. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An endoprosthesis, comprising:
an expandable tubular framework having a first end and a second end defining a length therebetween, and a lumen extending therethrough along a central longitudinal axis, the expandable tubular framework being expandable from a compressed state to an expanded state and including; a plurality of strut rows including at least a first strut row, a second strut row, a third strut row, and a fourth strut row, each strut row including alternating peaks and valleys; a first plurality of connectors extending across a first gap between peaks of the first strut row and peaks of the second strut row and interconnecting the first strut row and the second strut row, the first gap having a first length; a second plurality of connectors extending across a second gap between peaks of the third strut row and peaks of the fourth strut row and interconnecting the third strut row and the fourth strut row, the second gap having a second length; and a third plurality of connectors extending across a third gap and interconnecting peaks of adjacent strut rows intermediate the first plurality of connectors and the second plurality of connectors, the third gap having a third length, wherein the third length is greater than the first length and the second length such that the third plurality of connectors define a flexible hinge portion. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
Specification