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Radially expandable endoprosthesis and the like

  • US 5,019,090 A
  • Filed: 09/01/1988
  • Issued: 05/28/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/01/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A radially expandable endoprosthesis, comprising:

  • a plurality of generally circumferential sections, including end and intermediate generally circumferential sections, said end and intermediate generally circumferential sections being substantially adjacent to one another and generally parallel to each other in order to thereby generally defined an endoprosthesis having a longitudinal axis along which each of said generally circumferential sections are axially spaced;

    each of said generally circumferential sections includes an expandable segment that imparts radial expandability to said generally circumferential section whereby said section has an unexpanded insertion circumference and an expanded implantation circumference which is greater than said unexpanded insertion circumference;

    said expandable segment of each generally circumferential section is a generally foldable member that is bendable between a generally closed orientation and a generally opened orientation so as to impart radial expandability to the generally circumferential section;

    said generally circumferential sections form a continuous helix that defines an axially extending endoprosthesis;

    wherein said end sections each include a free end; and

    means for engaging the free end of each of said end sections with an adjacent one of said intermediate generally circumferential sections, thereby avoiding the presentation of loose ends on the endoprosthesis.

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