Coiled sheet stent having helical articulation and methods of use

• US 5,824,052 A
• Filed: 03/18/1997
• Issued: 10/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Endotex Interventional Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Endotex Interventional Systems Incorporated (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Spiridigliozzi, John, Khosravi, Farhad, Hogendijk, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAY, RANDY CITRIN
• Application Number:
  US08/819,967
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1, 623/11, 623/12, 606/192, 606/194, 606/195
• US Class Current: 623/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/88 the wire-like elements formed as helical or spiral coils forming a net-like or mesh-like structure A61F2/90
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/91 made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/92 Stents in the form of a rolled-up sheet expanding after insertion into the vessel , e.g. with a spiral shape in cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/065 Y-shaped blood vessels
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0007 for adjusting length
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0039 differing in diameter

Abstract

An endoprosthesis is provided having at least first and second resilient coiled sheet portions, and an intermediate region comprising a helical articulation. The coiled sheet portions may be of the same or different diameters so as to accommodate a taper in the body lumen, while the helical articulation comprises a mesh portion that provides both flexibility and high radial strength, and which contracts to its delivery profile with relatively few turns. The coiled sheet portions also may be of the same or different lengths, and for very long devices, may be interspersed between a plurality of helical articulation portions. The pitch of the helical articulation may be varied to create a partial telescoping of the helical articulation within one of the first and second coiled sheet portions when in a contracted state. The prosthesis may also be used for treating bifurcated vessels.

Claims

1. A stent for supporting a body lumen, the stent comprising:

resilient first and second coiled sheet portions, each of the first and second coiled sheet portions being concentrically coiled;

a helical articulation joining the first and second coiled sheet portions;

wherein the stent has a first diameter suitable for transluminal delivery when in a contracted state and a second larger diameter when deployed.

2. The stent as defined in claim 1 wherein the helical articulation comprises a plurality of turns, the helical articulation having a pitch sufficient to prevent formation of gaps between the plurality of turns when the stent is deployed.

3. The stent as defined in claim 2 wherein the helical articulation partially telescopes within one of the first and second coiled sheet portions when the stent is wound to the contracted state.

4. The stent as defined in claim 1 wherein the first coiled sheet portion has a tapered outer diameter when deployed.

5. The stent as defined in claim 1 wherein one of the first and second coiled sheet portions and the helical articulation have a multiplicity of openings.

6. The stent as defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second coiled sheet portions have equal lengths.

7. The stent as defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second coiled sheet portions have equal diameters.

8. The stent as defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second coiled sheet portions have equal thicknesses.

9. The stent as defined in claim 1 wherein the first coiled sheet portion and the helical articulation have equal lengths when the stent is deployed.

10. The stent as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second coiled sheet portions includes locking elements to retain the stent at the second diameter.

11. The stent as defined in claim 1 wherein the stent comprises a nickel-titanium alloy.

12. The stent as defined in claim 1 for treating a bifurcation:

wherein the first and second coiled sheet portions and the helical articulation form a first member, the first coiled sheet portion adapted for disposition in a common lumen of the bifurcation, the second coiled sheet portion adapted for disposition in a first branch of the bifurcation;

the stent further comprising

a second member comprising a third coiled sheet portion, a fourth coiled sheet portion, and a helical articulation disposed therebetween, the third coiled sheet portion adapted for disposition in the common lumen of the bifurcation nested within the first coiled sheet portion of the first member, the fourth coiled sheet portion adapted for disposition in a second branch of the bifurcation.

13. The prosthesis as defined in claim 12 wherein at least one of the first through fourth coiled sheet portions and the helical articulations have a multiplicity of openings.

14. The prosthesis as defined in claim 12 wherein at least two of the first through fourth coiled sheet portions have equal lengths.

15. The prosthesis as defined in claim 12 wherein at least two of the first through fourth coiled sheet portions have equal diameters.

16. The prosthesis as defined in claim 12 wherein the first and third coiled sheet portions have smaller thicknesses than the second and fourth coiled sheet portions.

17. The prosthesis as defined in claim 12 wherein at least one of the first through fourth coiled sheet portions includes locking elements.

18. The prosthesis as defined in claim 12 wherein the first and second members have unequal lengths.

19. The prosthesis as defined in claim 12 wherein the first and second members comprise a nickel-titanium alloy.

20. A stent for supporting a body lumen, the stent comprising:

a resilient first coiled sheet portion having a first length, a first thickness, and a first range of expanded diameters, the first coiled sheet portion being concentrically coiled;

a resilient second coiled sheet portion having a second length, a second thickness, and a second range of expanded diameters, the second coiled sheet portion being concentrically coiled;

a helical articulation joining the first and second coiled sheet portions;

wherein the stent has a contracted state suitable for transluminal delivery and an expanded state when deployed.

21. The stent as defined in claim 20 wherein the helical articulation comprises a plurality of turns, the helical articulation having a pitch sufficient to prevent formation of gaps between the plurality of turns when the stent is in the expanded state.

22. The stent as defined in claim 21 wherein the helical articulation partially telescopes within one of the first and second coiled sheet portions when the stent is wound to the contracted state.

23. The stent as defined in claim 20 wherein the first coiled sheet portion has a tapered outer diameter when deployed.

24. The stent as defined in claim 20 wherein one of the first and second coiled sheet portions and the helical articulation have a multiplicity of openings.

25. The stent as defined in claim 20 wherein the first and second lengths are unequal.

26. The stent as defined in claim 20 wherein the first and second ranges of expanded diameters are unequal.

27. The stent as defined in claim 20 wherein the first and second thicknesses are unequal.

28. The stent as defined in claim 20 wherein the first coiled sheet portion and the helical articulation have unequal lengths when the stent is deployed.

29. The stent as defined in claim 20 wherein the first coiled sheet portion includes locking elements to retain the first coiled sheet portion at a selected expanded diameter.

30. The stent as defined in claim 20 wherein the stent comprises a nickel-titanium alloy.