Stent with non-linear links and method of use
First Claim
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1. A flexible intravascular stent for implanting in a body lumen, comprising:
- a plurality of cylindrical rings interconnected to form the stent, each cylindrical ring having a delivery diameter and an expanded diameter;
each cylindrical ring having a proximal end and a distal end and a cylindrical outer wall surface and a cylindrical inner wall surface extending circumferentially between the proximal end and the distal end of the cylindrical ring;
at least one undulating link attaching each cylindrical ring to an adjacent cylindrical ring, the attachment of the at least one undulating link to each cylindrical ring forming a W-shaped portion;
wherein the at least one undulating link includes at least one of a radially inward bend and a radially outward bend with a concave portion and a convex portion such that the convex portion of the at least one undulating link is substantially within the cylindrical inner wall surface when the stent is in the delivery diameter and the expanded diameter.
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Abstract
The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for a an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. The plurality of cylindrical rings may assume an undulating shape that is similar to the shape of the undulating links. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.
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Citations
68 Claims
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1. A flexible intravascular stent for implanting in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings interconnected to form the stent, each cylindrical ring having a delivery diameter and an expanded diameter;
each cylindrical ring having a proximal end and a distal end and a cylindrical outer wall surface and a cylindrical inner wall surface extending circumferentially between the proximal end and the distal end of the cylindrical ring;
at least one undulating link attaching each cylindrical ring to an adjacent cylindrical ring, the attachment of the at least one undulating link to each cylindrical ring forming a W-shaped portion;
wherein the at least one undulating link includes at least one of a radially inward bend and a radially outward bend with a concave portion and a convex portion such that the convex portion of the at least one undulating link is substantially within the cylindrical inner wall surface when the stent is in the delivery diameter and the expanded diameter. - 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, 24)
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25. A flexible intravascular stent for implanting in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings interconnected to form the stent, each cylindrical ring having a delivery diameter and an expanded diameter;
each cylindrical ring having a plurality of peaks and valleys, the valleys of one cylindrical ring being circumferentially offset from the valleys of an adjacent cylindrical ring;
at least one undulating link attaching each cylindrical ring to an adjacent cylindrical ring, the at least one undulating link being positioned substantially within one of the valleys and attaching the valley to an adjacent peak;
wherein the at least one undulating link includes at least one of a radially inward bend and a radially outward bend with a concave portion and a convex portion such that the convex portion of the at least one undulating link is substantially within a cylindrical inner wall surface when the stent is in the delivery diameter and the expanded diameter. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A flexible intravascular stent for implanting in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings interconnected to form the stent, each cylindrical ring having a delivery diameter and an expanded diameter;
the cylindrical rings having an undulating shape, wherein the cylindrical rings include a plurality of U-shaped portions and W-shaped portions that are expandable;
each cylindrical ring having a proximal end and a distal end and a cylindrical outer wall surface and a cylindrical inner wall surface extending circumferentially between the proximal end and the distal end of the cylindrical ring;
at least one undulating link attaching each cylindrical ring to an adjacent cylindrical ring, the attachment of the at least one undulating link to each cylindrical ring forming a W-shaped portion;
wherein the at least one undulating link includes at least one radially inward bend and radially outward bend with a concave portion and a convex portion such that the convex portion of the at least one undulating link is substantially within the cylindrical inner wall surface when the stent is in the delivery diameter and the expanded diameter. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63)
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64. A flexible intravascular stent for implanting in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings interconnected to form the stent, each cylindrical ring having a delivery diameter and an expanded diameter;
each cylindrical ring having a proximal end and a distal end and a cylindrical outer wall surface and a cylindrical inner wall surface extending circumferentially between the proximal end and the distal end of the cylindrical ring;
means for attaching each cylindrical ring to an adjacent cylindrical ring, the means for attaching being positioned substantially within the cylindrical wall of the cylindrical ring such that a W-shaped portion is formed;
wherein the means for attaching each cylindrical ring to an adjacent cylindrical ring includes at least one of a radially inward bend and a radially outward bend with a concave portion and a convex portion such that the convex portion of the attaching means is substantially within the cylindrical inner wall surface when the stent is in the delivery diameter and the expanded diameter. - View Dependent Claims (65, 66, 67, 68)
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Specification