Radially expandable axially non-contracting surgical stent
First Claim
1. A radially expandable axially substantially non-contracting stent for surgical implantation into a body lumen, such as an artery, said stent having a generally cylindrical contour both before and after expansion thereof, said stent comprising in combination:
- at least three circumferential elements, each circumferential element forming an elongate circuit completely circumscribing said cylindrical contour, a first one of said circumferential elements defining a first end of said stent, a second one of second circumferential elements defining a second end of said stent;
each said circumferential element having a wave-like series of bends therein as each said circumferential element circumscribes said cylindrical contour of said stent;
each said bend including a trough and a crest, said trough defining a portion of said circumferential element where said circumferential element is more distant from adjacent said circumferential elements than other portions of said circumferential element, said crest defining a portion of said circumferential element where said circumferential element is closer to adjacent circumferential elements than other portions of said circumferential element;
at least one axial element having two extremities and located between at least one pair of adjacent circumferential elements, said extremities each attached to a different one of said pair of adjacent circumferential elements, joining said pair of circumferential elements together;
each said extremity attached to an adjacent one of said circumferential elements at one of said troughs;
at least one linking element having two link ends and located between at least one pair of adjacent circumferential elements, said link ends each attached to a different one of said pair of adjacent circumferential elements at one of said crests; and
whereby said axial elements prevent axial contraction of said stent when said stent is expanded radially.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A surgical stent (10) is provided which can be radially expanded away from a central axis (2) within a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent (10) is formed from a series of struts (20) circumscribing a cylindrical contour of the stent (10). Each strut (20) has a series of bends (30) formed therein with each bend including at least one trough (32) and at least one crest (36). Gaps (40) are provided between adjacent struts (20). Each gap (40) is spanned by an axial element such as a tie bar (50). Each tie bar (50) attaches to adjacent struts (20) through troughs (32) so that when the stent (10) is radially expanded, the struts (20) are not drawn together, but rather maintain their position and the stent (10) hence maintains its axial length without contracting. Other elements can alternatively be provided between adjacent circumferential elements to provide varying degrees of flexibility between adjacent struts (20).
263 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A radially expandable axially substantially non-contracting stent for surgical implantation into a body lumen, such as an artery, said stent having a generally cylindrical contour both before and after expansion thereof, said stent comprising in combination:
-
at least three circumferential elements, each circumferential element forming an elongate circuit completely circumscribing said cylindrical contour, a first one of said circumferential elements defining a first end of said stent, a second one of second circumferential elements defining a second end of said stent; each said circumferential element having a wave-like series of bends therein as each said circumferential element circumscribes said cylindrical contour of said stent; each said bend including a trough and a crest, said trough defining a portion of said circumferential element where said circumferential element is more distant from adjacent said circumferential elements than other portions of said circumferential element, said crest defining a portion of said circumferential element where said circumferential element is closer to adjacent circumferential elements than other portions of said circumferential element; at least one axial element having two extremities and located between at least one pair of adjacent circumferential elements, said extremities each attached to a different one of said pair of adjacent circumferential elements, joining said pair of circumferential elements together; each said extremity attached to an adjacent one of said circumferential elements at one of said troughs; at least one linking element having two link ends and located between at least one pair of adjacent circumferential elements, said link ends each attached to a different one of said pair of adjacent circumferential elements at one of said crests; and whereby said axial elements prevent axial contraction of said stent when said stent is expanded radially. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A surgical stent for implantation into a body lumen, said stent having a substantially cylindrical contour and being radially expandable, the stent comprising in combination:
-
a plurality of circumferential elements, each circumferential element encircling said cylindrical contour of said stent; at least two of said plurality of circumferential elements having an undulating form including at least one trough and at least one crest as said undulating circumferential elements circumscribe said cylindrical contour of said stent; at least one axial element located between two adjacent said circumferential elements and attached to one of said adjacent circumferential elements at a first junction and to the other of said circumferential elements at a second junction; wherein said first junction is located spaced from said crests and said second junction is located spaced from said crests; and at least one linking element having two link ends and located between at least one pair of adjacent circumferential elements said link ends each attached to a different one of said pair of adjacent circumferential elements at one of said crests. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification