Radially expandable stent

• US 6,464,720 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cook Medical Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cook Incorporated (Cook Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Brummett, Kimberly D., Boatman, Scott E., Osborne, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Willse, David H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): GHERBI, SUZETTE JAIME J
• Application Number:
  US09/822,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20010027339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.34, 623/1.15, 600/3
• 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 2/915 with bands having a meander structure, adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91508 the meander having a difference in amplitude along the band
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91516 the meander having a change in frequency along the band
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91525 within the whole structure different bands showing different meander characteristics, e.g. frequency or amplitude
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91533 characterised by the phase between adjacent bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91566 connected trough to trough
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91575 connected peak to trough
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91583 by a bridge, whereby at least one of its ends is connected along the length of a strut between two consecutive apices within a band
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0036 differing in thickness
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/022 Metals or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/18 Materials at least partially X-ray or laser opaque

Abstract

A radially expandable stent (10) made from a cannula or sheet of biocompatible material that includes at least one longitudinal segment (14) comprised of a series of laterally interconnected closed cells (13). Each closed cell of a longitudinal segment is defined laterally by a pair of longitudinal struts (15, 16) that are interconnected at each end by a circumferentially adjustable member (19, 20). When the stent is expanded using a balloon (47), the opposing circumferentially adjustable members deform to allow circumferential expansion of the longitudinal segment, while the length of the segment, as defined by the longitudinal struts, is maintained. Self-expanding versions of the stent utilize a nickel-titanium alloy. Adjacent longitudinal segments are joined by flexible interconnection segments (21) that permit the stent to bend laterally. The flexible interconnection segment is comprised of curvilinear struts (22, 23) that form a series of serpentine bends (81) that distribute lateral bending forces. In a preferred embodiment, a short strut interconnects longitudinal segments and an adjacent interconnection segment. Each interconnection strut attaches to the longitudinal segment within a region (27) at the end (17) of a longitudinal strut (15) dividing two adjacent closed cells.

Claims

1. A stent comprising a stent body having at least one radiopaque marker, said marker defined by a radiopaque member affixed through an eyelet extending through a portion of said stent body, said eyelet having an internal surface that is irregular, and said radiopaque member being mechanically interlocked with the irregular internal surface within said eyelet, and wherein said internal eyelet surface is threaded.

2. The stent of claim 1, wherein entrances to said eyelet are chamfered.

3. The stent of claim 1, wherein said radiopaque member protrudes slightly outwardly from an outer surface of said stent body.

4. The stent of claim 1, wherein said radiopaque member is selected from the group of tungsten, gold, platinum, iridium and barium.

5. The stent of claim 4, wherein said radiopaque member is gold.

6. The stent of claim 1, wherein said radiopaque member is force fit into said eyelet.

7. A stent comprising a stent body having at least one radiopaque marker, said marker defined by a radiopaque member affixed through an eyelet extending through a portion of said stent body, said eyelet having an internal surface that has been grit blasted, and said radiopaque member being mechanically interlocked with said internal surface of said eyelet.

8. The stent of claim 7, wherein said internal surface of said eyelet is threaded.

9. The stent of claim 8, wherein entrances to said eyelet are chamfered.

10. The stent of claim 7, wherein said radiopaque member protrudes slightly outwardly from an outer surface of said stent body.

11. The stent of claim 7, wherein said radiopaque member is selected from the group of tungsten, gold, platinum, iridium and barium.

12. The stent of claim 11, wherein said radiopaque member is gold.

13. The stent of claim 7, wherein said radiopaque member is force fit into said eyelet.

14. A stent comprising a stent body having at least one radiopaque marker, said marker defined by a radiopaque member affixed through an eyelet extending through a portion of said stent body, said eyelet having an internal surface that has been acid etched, and said radiopaque member being mechanically interlocked with said internal surface of said eyelet.

15. The stent of claim 14, wherein, said internal surface of said eyelet is threaded.

16. The stent of claim 15, wherein entrances to said eyelet are chamfered.

17. The stent of claim 14, wherein said radiopaque member protrudes slightly outwardly from an outer surface of said stent body.

18. The stent of claim 14, wherein said radiopaque member is selected from the group of tungsten, gold, platinum, iridium and barium.

19. The stent of claim 18, wherein said radiopaque member is gold.

20. The stent of claim 14, wherein said radiopaque member is force fit into said eyelet.