Intravascular radially expandable stent
First Claim
1. In a radially expandable stent for implantation within a body lumen, the stent having a generally cylindrical body with open proximal and distal ends, the cylindrical body comprising a plurality of substantially helical metal elements joined to allow flexing of the stent along its longitudinal axis in a continuous, substantially helical wire winding, the improvement comprising:
- a polymeric film extending between the helical metal elements of the stent wherein the polymeric film has strain relief means between the helical metal elements and wherein the strain relief means comprises one or more cuts in the film between adjacent helical metal elements.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A radially expandable stent for implantation within a body lumen having a generally cylindrical body with open proximal and distal ends, the cylindrical body comprising a plurality of metal elements joined to allow flexing of the cylindrical body along the longitudinal axis of the body whereby the stent can conform to a curved body lumen and a polymeric film extending between the metal elements of the stent. The stent provides a biocompatible polymeric surface to contact and support a body lumen and also a flexible structure to allow the stent to conform closely to bends in a body lumen. The stent is especially useful for repairing an injury to blood vessels caused during angioplasty procedures.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. In a radially expandable stent for implantation within a body lumen, the stent having a generally cylindrical body with open proximal and distal ends, the cylindrical body comprising a plurality of substantially helical metal elements joined to allow flexing of the stent along its longitudinal axis in a continuous, substantially helical wire winding, the improvement comprising:
a polymeric film extending between the helical metal elements of the stent wherein the polymeric film has strain relief means between the helical metal elements and wherein the strain relief means comprises one or more cuts in the film between adjacent helical metal elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Specification