Protheses with selectively welded crossing strands
First Claim
1. A body insertable prosthesis, including:
- a plurality of substantially helical strands forming a generally tubular structure, with the strands further forming multiple crossings of adjacent ones of the strands, including a plurality of secured crossings at which the adjacent strands are joined and plurality of unsecured crossings at which the adjacent strands are free for limited travel relative to one another;
wherein the secured crossings, at least throughout a selected axial region of the tubular structure, are arranged in a pattern to selectively alter a radial stiffness of the tubular structure along the selected region; and
wherein the tubular structure is radially enlargeable from a reduced-radius delivery state to a radially-enlarged state to achieve contact with tissue at a treatment site within a body lumen.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A body implantable stent is formed of a plurality of strands arranged in two sets of coaxial helices, wound in opposite directions to form multiple crossings. At selected crossings, the adjacent strands are welded to one another, while at the remaining crossings the strands are free for limited movement relative to one another. The welds are formed in patterns that preferably enhance radial strength and rigidity, while having a minimal impact on axial bending flexibility. Preferred weld patterns in this regard include rings or circumferential rows, and helices, particularly with a steeper pitch than that of the strands. Stent fabrication preferably involves resistance welding at the crossings, and use of a tool to reuniformly compress the stent around and against the distal end region of a balloon catheter used later to deliver the stent to a treatment site.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A body insertable prosthesis, including:
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a plurality of substantially helical strands forming a generally tubular structure, with the strands further forming multiple crossings of adjacent ones of the strands, including a plurality of secured crossings at which the adjacent strands are joined and plurality of unsecured crossings at which the adjacent strands are free for limited travel relative to one another; wherein the secured crossings, at least throughout a selected axial region of the tubular structure, are arranged in a pattern to selectively alter a radial stiffness of the tubular structure along the selected region; and wherein the tubular structure is radially enlargeable from a reduced-radius delivery state to a radially-enlarged state to achieve contact with tissue at a treatment site within a body lumen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification