Channeled vascular stent apparatus and method

• US 6,709,451 B1
• Filed: 07/14/2000
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Norman Noble Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Norman Noble Incorporated
• Inventors: Miller, Jeffrey A., Noble, Lawrence E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Milano, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HO, TAN-UYEN THI
• Application Number:
  US09/616,274
• Time in Patent Office: 1,348 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.15, 623/1-2-, 623/1.39, 623/1.4, 623/1.23, 623/904, 427/2.24
• US Class Current: 623/1.15
• 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 2002/91541 Adjacent bands are arranged out of phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91575 connected peak to trough
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0013 Horseshoe-shaped, e.g. crescent-shaped, C-shaped, U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0068 the pharmaceutical product being in a reservoir

Abstract

A vascular stent having one or more channels in the outer surface. The channel(s) provide increased flexibility, enhanced perfusion, increased chronic positional stability, and convenient dispensing of a medication. Preferably the stent is machined into a mesh-like pattern and the channel(s) are machined into the stent elements of the pattern. The channels may be oriented in a variety of ways. Parallel orientation tends to provide greater enhancement of perfusion whereas perpendicular orientation provides differential flexibility. For greater control of differential flexibility, the channel may be further machined in the stent element, producing a regain of greater flexibility.

Claims

1. In a vascular stent having a generally cylindrical shape with an outer surface and an inner surface, the improvement comprising:

a matrix formed from a plurality of elongated struts and including a plurality of densely populated, generally uniformly repeating channels occupying substantially fully said outer surface, each channel extending continuously longitudinally in a corresponding strut; and

a medication contained within said plurality of channels.

2. The improvement according claim 1 wherein said plurality of channels extend generally in a longitudinal direction of said cylindrical shape.

3. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said plurality of channels extend in a radial direction with regard to said cylindrical shape.

4. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein said stent is machined to produce a pattern having a plurality of stent elements.

5. The improvement according to claim 4 wherein said plurality of channels is machined into said plurality of stent elements.

6. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein each have said plurality of channels is outwardly concave.

7. An apparatus, comprising:

a. A vascular stent having a generally cylindrical shape and having an outer surface;

b. A matrix formed from a plurality of elongated struts and including a plurality of densely populated, generally uniformly repeating channels covering substantially fully said outer surface, each channel extending continuously longitudinally in a corresponding strut; and

c. A medication contained within said plurality of channels.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said vascular stent further comprises a plurality of stent elements.

9. An apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said plurality of channels is located on said plurality of stent elements.

10. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said plurality of channels extend in a direction generally parallel to said cylindrical shape.

11. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said plurality of channels extend in a radial direction with regard to said cylindrical shape.

12. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each of said plurality of channels is outwardly concave.

13. An apparatus, comprising:

a. Means for stenting a vessel, said means for stenting having an outer surface and a longitudinal axis;

b. Means located on said outer surface for enhancing perfusion, said means for enhancing perfusion comprising a matrix of closely spaced elongated struts defining repeating patterns of channels wherein each channel extends continuously longitudinally in a corresponding strut; and

c. a medication received within said channels.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising means responsively coupled to said outer surface for imparting differential flexibility.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said channels are located on said stent element in a generally parallel direction to said longitudinal axis.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said channels are located on said stent element in a generally perpendicular direction to said longitudinal axis.

17. An apparatus according to claim 13 wherein each of said channels is outwardly concave.