Method for making a multi-laminate stent having superelastic articulated sections

• US 6,425,855 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2001
• Issued: 07/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cordis Corporation (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cordis Corporation (Cardinal Health, Inc.)
• Inventors: Tomonto, Charles V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jackson, Suzette
• Application Number:
  US09/852,094
• Publication Number:
  US 20010025130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1-1-, 623/909, 295/05, 600/36
• US Class Current: 600/36
• 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 2002/91541 Adjacent bands are arranged out of phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2210/0076 multilayered, e.g. laminated structures
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0013 Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0018 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0029 differing in bending or flexure capacity
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49908 Joining by deforming

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a stent for implantation into a vessel of a patient. The stent has at least two plastically deformable and expandable tubular graft members for expansion within a vessel. Each of the graft member has a first end, a second end, a wall section disposed therebetween and a lumen extending therethrough. The stent further includes at least one articulation connecting the first end of one of the graft members with the second end of the other graft member. Wherein the articulation is made from a superelastic material.

Claims

1. A method for making a stent for expansion within a human vessel, said method comprising:

a) forming a tubular member having an inner layer comprising a superelastic material and an outer layer comprising a plastically deformable material;

b) removing portions of said inner and outer layers of said tube so as to form at least two plastically deformable and expandable tubular graft members connected together by at least one strut; and

c) removing said outer plastically deformable layer from said at least one articulation.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of removing portions of said inner and outer layers of said tube so as to form at least two plastically deformable and expandable tubular graft members, comprises removing portions of said inner and outer layers and forming a plurality of circumferential loops and struts on each said graft, wherein adjacent loops are connected together by at least one strut.