Folding self-expandable intravascular stent-graft
First Claim
1. A device comprising a self-expanding stent that is expandable from a folded state to an unfolded generally tubular state with an axis, wherein said stent is longitudinally folded along a fold line which is generally parallel to said axis, said stent having at least one member and a pair of laterally spaced arms extending from said member, said member extending approximately parallel to said axis when said stent is in its unfolded state, at least a portion of said member being substantially aligned with said fold line so that at least a portion of one of said pair of laterally spaced arms extends from said member along a different side of said fold line than the other of said pair of laterally spaced arms.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention is a medical device and a method of using it. The device is a foldable stent or stent-graft which may be percutaneously deliverable with (or on) an endovascular catheter or via other surgical or other techniques and then expanded. The expandable stent structure utilizes at least one torsional sector which allows it to be folded to a very small diameter prior to deployment as a stent The stent may be expanded with the use of an installation device such as a balloon but preferably is used as a self-expandable device. The stent may be flared on at least one of its ends to promote smooth blood flow at that flare and to assure that the stent will remain in the chosen position within the body. The stent'"'"'s configuration allows it to be folded or otherwise compressed to a very small diameter prior to deployment without changing the length of the stent. The graft component cooperating with the stent is tubular and preferably is a bloodcompatible collagenous material which may, if desired, be reinforced with fibers. The tubular member may be cast onto or otherwise attached or irnbedded into the stent structure to form a stent-graft.
348 Citations
68 Claims
- 1. A device comprising a self-expanding stent that is expandable from a folded state to an unfolded generally tubular state with an axis, wherein said stent is longitudinally folded along a fold line which is generally parallel to said axis, said stent having at least one member and a pair of laterally spaced arms extending from said member, said member extending approximately parallel to said axis when said stent is in its unfolded state, at least a portion of said member being substantially aligned with said fold line so that at least a portion of one of said pair of laterally spaced arms extends from said member along a different side of said fold line than the other of said pair of laterally spaced arms.
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43. A device, comprising:
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a self-expanding stent that is expandable from a folded state to an unfolded state, said self-expanding stent having a substantially cylindrical body when in the unfolded state, a longitudinal axis, multiple rings that make up said substantially cylindrical body, each of said multiple rings comprising undulations which undulate substantially in a direction of said longitudinal axis, first and second loops on a circumference of said self-expanding stent and substantially aligned in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first and second loops formed by said undulations, and being substantially aligned for coupling when said self-expanding stent is in the folded state. a releasing mechanism coupled to said self-expanding stent when said self-expanding stent is in the folded state, said releasing mechanism comprises a tether line which passes through said first and second loops to restrain said self-expanding stent in the folded state, wherein, upon uncoupling said releasing mechanism from said self-expanding stent. said self-expanding stent self-expands from the folded state to the unfolded state.
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44. A device, comprising:
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a self-expanding stent that is expandable from a folded state to an unfolded state, said self-expanding stent having a substantially cylindrical body when in the unfolded state, a longitudinal axis, multiple rings that make up said substantially cylindrical body, each of said multiple rings comprising undulations which undulate substantially in a direction of said longitudinal axis, first and second loops on a circumference of said self-expanding stent and substantially aligned in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first and second loops connected to said undulations, and being substantially aligned for coupling when said self-expanding stent is in the folded state, a releasing mechanism coupled to said self-expanding stent when said self-expanding stent is in the folded state, said releasing mechanism comprises a tether line which passes through said first and second loops to restrain said self-expanding stent in the folded state, wherein, upon uncoupling said releasing mechanism from said self-expanding stent, said self-expanding stent self-expands from the folded state to the unfolded state.
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45. A device, comprising:
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a self-expanding stent that is expandable from a folded state to an unfolded state, said self-expanding stent having a substantially cylindrical body when in the unfolded state, a longitudinal axis, first and second loops on a circumference of said self-expanding stent and substantially aligned in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first and second loops integrally formed in said substantially cylindrical body, and being substantially aligned for coupling when said self-expanding stent is in the folded state, a releasing mechanism coupled to said self-expanding stent when said self-expanding stent is in the folded state, said releasing mechanism comprises a tether line which passes through said first and second loops to restrain said self-expanding stent in the folded state, wherein, upon uncoupling said releasing mechanism from said self-expanding stent, said self-expanding stent self-expands from the folded state to the unfolded state.
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46. A device, comprising:
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a self-expanding stent that is expandable from a folded state to an unfolded state, said self-expanding stent having a substantially cylindrical body when in the unfolded state, a longitudinal axis, first and second loops on a circumference of said self-expanding stent and substantially aligned in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis, said first and second loops integrally formed in said substantially cylindrical body, and being substantially aligned for coupling when said self-expanding stent is in the folded state, a releasing mechanism coupled to said self-expanding stent when said self-expanding stent is in the folded state, said releasing mechanism comprises a tether line which passes through said first and second loops to restrain said self-expanding stent in the folded state, wherein, upon uncoupling said releasing mechanism from said self-expanding stent, said self-expanding stent self-expands from the folded state to the unfolded state.
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- 47. A device for introduction into a body lumen, said device comprising a self-expanding stent, said stent comprising at least one undulating member arranged in a generally ring shaped configuration, said undulating member being expandable from a folded state, where said stent is folded along a line generally parallel a longitudinal axis of said stent, to an unfolded state, where said stent assumes a generally tubular configuration, a portion of said undulating member being substantially aligned with said fold line and extending approximately parallel to said longitudinal axis.
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53. A device for introduction into a mammalian body comprising:
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a self-expanding stent suitable for introduction into the mammalian body, said stent having two ends, a longitudinal axis, a passageway between said ends, said stent further comprising at least one ring assembly extending circumferentially about said passageway, at least a portion of at least one said ring assembly situated so that when said stent is folded along said longitudinal axis to form at least one fold, said at least a portion is twisted; and a removable slip line extending between said two ends for holding said stent in position when folded. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68)
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Specification