Intravascular stent
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
- a plurality of cylindrical rings including a proximal ring, at least one central ring and a distal ring, each cylindrical ring having a strut pattern, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end and the distal end defining a ring length, the cylindrical rings being coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis forming the stent and radially expandable with a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter; and
a plurality of links coupling adjacent cylindrical rings;
wherein each strut pattern of the cylindrical rings including an undulating pattern of U-shaped portions forming peaks at the proximal end of the cylindrical ring and valleys at the distal end of the cylindrical ring with struts extending therebetween;
the adjacent valleys of the proximal ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the adjacent peaks of the at least one central ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and adjacent valleys of the at least one central ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the adjacent peaks of the distal ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks of each cylindrical ring being circumferentially aligned with the valleys of the adjacent cylindrical ring; and
wherein the links couple alternating peaks on one cylindrical ring to circumferentially aligned valleys on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An intravascular stent assembly for implantation in a body vessel, such as a coronary artery, includes undulating circumferential rings having peaks on the proximal end and valleys on the distal end. Adjacent rings are coupled together between peaks on one ring and valleys on the proximally adjacent ring. To increase flexibility of the stent, the links do not couple all of the peaks on a ring to the proximally adjacent ring.
353 Citations
179 Claims
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1. An intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings including a proximal ring, at least one central ring and a distal ring, each cylindrical ring having a strut pattern, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end and the distal end defining a ring length, the cylindrical rings being coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis forming the stent and radially expandable with a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter; and
a plurality of links coupling adjacent cylindrical rings;
wherein each strut pattern of the cylindrical rings including an undulating pattern of U-shaped portions forming peaks at the proximal end of the cylindrical ring and valleys at the distal end of the cylindrical ring with struts extending therebetween;
the adjacent valleys of the proximal ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the adjacent peaks of the at least one central ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and adjacent valleys of the at least one central ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the adjacent peaks of the distal ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks of each cylindrical ring being circumferentially aligned with the valleys of the adjacent cylindrical ring; and
wherein the links couple alternating peaks on one cylindrical ring to circumferentially aligned valleys on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring. - 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, 111)
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24. An intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings including a proximal ring, at least one central ring and a distal ring, each cylindrical ring having a strut pattern, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end and the distal end defining a ring length, the cylindrical rings being coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis forming the stent and radially expandable with a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter; and
a plurality of links coupling adjacent cylindrical rings;
wherein each strut pattern of the cylindrical rings including an undulating pattern of U-shaped portions forming peaks at the proximal end of the cylindrical ring and valleys at the distal end of the cylindrical ring with struts extending therebetween;
the adjacent valleys of the proximal ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the adjacent peaks of the at least one central ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and adjacent valleys of the at least one central ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the adjacent peaks of the distal ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks positioned at the second, distal position being circumferentially aligned with the valleys positioned at the first, proximal position of the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring; and
wherein the links couple the peaks positioned at the second, distal position on one cylindrical ring to the valleys positioned at the first, proximal position on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. An intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings including a proximal ring, at least one central ring and a distal ring, each cylindrical ring having a strut pattern, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end and the distal end defining a ring length, the cylindrical rings being coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis forming the stent and radially expandable with a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter; and
a plurality of links coupling adjacent cylindrical rings;
wherein each strut pattern of the cylindrical rings including an undulating pattern of U-shaped portions forming peaks at the proximal end of the cylindrical ring and valleys at the distal end of the cylindrical ring with struts extending therebetween;
the adjacent valleys of the proximal ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the adjacent peaks of the at least one central ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and adjacent valleys of the at least one central ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the adjacent peaks of the distal ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks of each cylindrical ring being circumferentially aligned with the peaks of the adjacent cylindrical ring; and
wherein the links couple alternating peaks on one cylindrical ring to circumferentially adjacent valleys on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. An intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings including a proximal ring, at least one central ring and a distal ring, each cylindrical ring having a strut pattern, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end and the distal end defining a ring length, the cylindrical rings being coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis forming the stent and radially expandable with a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter; and
a plurality of links coupling adjacent cylindrical rings;
wherein each strut pattern of the cylindrical rings including an undulating pattern of U-shaped portions forming peaks at the proximal end of the cylindrical ring and valleys at the distal end of the cylindrical ring with struts extending therebetween;
the adjacent valleys of the proximal ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the adjacent peaks of the at least one central ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and adjacent valleys of the at least one central ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the adjacent peaks of the distal ring alternating between a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks positioned at the second, distal position being circumferentially aligned with the peaks positioned at the first, proximal position of the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring; and
wherein the links couple the peaks positioned at the second, distal position on one cylindrical ring to the circumferentially adjacent valleys positioned at the first, proximal position on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54)
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55. An intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings including a proximal ring, at least one central ring and a distal ring, each cylindrical ring having a strut pattern, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end and the distal end defining a ring length, the cylindrical rings being coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis forming the stent and radially expandable with a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter; and
a plurality of links coupling adjacent cylindrical rings;
wherein each strut pattern of the cylindrical rings including an undulating pattern of U-shaped portions forming peaks at the proximal end of the cylindrical ring and valleys at the distal end of the cylindrical ring with struts extending therebetween;
the valleys of the proximal ring alternating between a single valley at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a pair of adjacent valleys at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks of the at least one central ring alternating between a pair of adjacent peaks at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a single peak at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and valleys of the at least one central ring alternating between a single valley at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a pair of adjacent valleys at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent, each single peak at the second, distal position being positioned between a pair of adjacent valleys at the second, distal position and each single valley at the first, proximal position being positioned between a pair of adjacent peaks at the first, proximal position;
the peaks of the distal ring alternating between a pair of adjacent peaks at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a single peak at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks of each cylindrical ring being circumferentially aligned with the valleys of the adjacent cylindrical ring; and
wherein the links couple peaks on one cylindrical ring to circumferentially aligned valleys on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77)
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78. An intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings including a proximal ring, at least one central ring and a distal ring, each cylindrical ring having a strut pattern, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end and the distal end defining a ring length, the cylindrical rings being coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis forming the stent and radially expandable with a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter; and
a plurality of links coupling adjacent cylindrical rings;
wherein each strut pattern of the cylindrical rings including an undulating pattern of U-shaped portions forming peaks at the proximal end of the cylindrical ring and valleys at the distal end of the cylindrical ring with struts extending therebetween;
the valleys of the proximal ring alternating between a single valley at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a pair of adjacent valleys at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks of the at least one central ring alternating between a pair of adjacent peaks at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a single peak at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and valleys of the at least one central ring alternating between a single valley at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a pair of adjacent valleys at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent, each single peak at the second, distal position being positioned between a pair of adjacent valleys at the second, distal position and each single valley at the first, proximal position being positioned between a pair of adjacent peaks at the first, proximal position;
the peaks of the distal ring alternating between a pair of adjacent peaks at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a single peak at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks positioned at the second, distal position being circumferentially aligned with the valleys positioned at the first, proximal position of the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring; and
wherein the links couple the peaks positioned at the second, distal position on one cylindrical ring to the circumferentially aligned valleys positioned at the first, proximal position on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring. - View Dependent Claims (79, 80, 81)
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82. An intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings including a proximal ring, at least one central ring and a distal ring, each cylindrical ring having a strut pattern, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end and the distal end defining a ring length, the cylindrical rings being coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis forming the stent and radially expandable with a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter; and
a plurality of links coupling adjacent cylindrical rings;
wherein each strut pattern of the cylindrical rings including an undulating pattern of U-shaped portions forming peaks at the proximal end of the cylindrical ring and valleys at the distal end of the cylindrical ring with struts extending therebetween;
the valleys of the proximal ring alternating between a single valley at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a pair of adjacent valleys at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks of the at least one central ring alternating between a pair of adjacent peaks at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a single peak at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and valleys of the at least one central ring alternating between a single valley at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a pair of adjacent valleys at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent, each single peak at the second, distal position being positioned between a pair of adjacent valleys at the second, distal position and each single valley at the first, proximal position being positioned between a pair of adjacent peaks at the first, proximal position;
the peaks of the distal ring alternating between a pair of adjacent peaks at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a single peak at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks of each cylindrical ring being circumferentially aligned with the peaks of the adjacent cylindrical ring; and
wherein the links couple peaks on one cylindrical ring to circumferentially adjacent valleys on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring. - View Dependent Claims (83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104)
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105. An intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings including a proximal ring, at least one central ring and a distal ring, each cylindrical ring having a strut pattern, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end and the distal end defining a ring length, the cylindrical rings being coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis forming the stent and radially expandable with a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter; and
a plurality of links coupling adjacent cylindrical rings;
wherein each strut pattern of the cylindrical rings including an undulating pattern of U-shaped portions forming peaks at the proximal end of the cylindrical ring and valleys at the distal end of the cylindrical ring with struts extending therebetween;
the valleys of the proximal ring alternating between a single valley at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a pair of adjacent valleys at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks of the at least one central ring alternating between a pair of adjacent peaks at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a single peak at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and valleys of the at least one central ring alternating between a single valley at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a pair of adjacent valleys at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent, each single peak at the second, distal position being positioned between a pair of adjacent valleys at the second, distal position and each single valley at the first, proximal position being positioned between a pair of adjacent peaks at the first, proximal position;
the peaks of the distal ring alternating between a pair of adjacent peaks at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a single peak at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks positioned at the second, distal position being circumferentially adjacent to the valleys positioned at the first, proximal position of the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring; and
wherein the links couple the peaks positioned at the second, distal position on one cylindrical ring to the circumferentially adjacent valleys positioned at the first, proximal position on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring. - View Dependent Claims (106, 107, 108)
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109. An intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings including a proximal ring, at least one central ring and a distal ring, each cylindrical ring having a strut pattern, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end and the distal end defining a ring length, the cylindrical rings being coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis forming the stent and radially expandable with a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter;
a plurality of undulating links coupling a plurality of adjacent cylindrical rings; and
a plurality of links having straight portions and at least one curved portion coupling a plurality of adjacent cylindrical rings;
wherein each strut pattern of the cylindrical rings including an undulating pattern of U-shaped portions forming peaks at the proximal end of the cylindrical ring and valleys at the distal end of the cylindrical ring with struts extending therebetween;
the valleys of the proximal ring alternating between a single valley at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a pair of adjacent valleys at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks of the at least one central ring alternating between a pair of adjacent peaks at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a single peak at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and valleys of the at least one central ring alternating between a single valley at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a pair of adjacent valleys at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent, a peak at the first, proximal position being positioned between each pair of adjacent valleys at the second, distal position and a valley at the second, distal position being positioned between each pair of adjacent peaks at the first, proximal position, each peak at the distal position being circumferentially adjacent to a valley at the proximal position;
the peaks of the distal ring alternating between a pair of adjacent peaks at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a single peak at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks of each cylindrical ring being circumferentially aligned with the valleys of the adjacent cylindrical ring;
wherein the undulating links couple a plurality of adjacent cylindrical rings between peaks on one cylindrical ring to circumferentially aligned valleys on the proximally adjacent cylindrical rings; and
wherein the links having the straight portions and at least one curved portion couple a plurality of adjacent cylindrical rings between valleys positioned between circumferentially adjacent pairs of peaks at the proximal position on the distally adjacent cylindrical rings to the circumferentially aligned peaks on the proximally adjacent rings. - View Dependent Claims (110, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131)
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132. An intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings including a proximal ring, at least one central ring and a distal ring, each cylindrical ring having a strut pattern, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end and the distal end defining a ring length, the cylindrical rings being coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis forming the stent and radially expandable with a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter;
a plurality of undulating links coupling a plurality of adjacent cylindrical rings; and
a plurality of links having straight portions and at least one curved portion coupling a plurality of adjacent cylindrical rings;
wherein each strut pattern of the cylindrical rings including an undulating pattern of U-shaped portions forming peaks at the proximal end of the cylindrical ring and valleys at the distal end of the cylindrical ring with struts extending therebetween;
the valleys of the proximal ring alternating between a single valley at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a pair of adjacent valleys at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks of the at least one central ring alternating between a pair of adjacent peaks at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a single peak at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and valleys of the at least one central ring alternating between a single valley at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a pair of adjacent valleys at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent, a peak at the first, proximal position being positioned between a pair of adjacent valleys at the second, distal position and a valley at the second, distal position being positioned between each pair of adjacent peaks at the first, proximal position, each peak at the distal position being circumferentially adjacent to a valley at the proximal position;
the peaks of the distal ring alternating between a pair of adjacent peaks at a first, proximal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent and a single peak at a second, distal position along the longitudinal axis of the stent;
the peaks positioned at the second, distal position being circumferentially aligned with the valleys positioned at the first, proximal position of the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring;
wherein the undulating links couple the peaks positioned at the second, distal position of a plurality of adjacent cylindrical rings to the circumferentially aligned valleys positioned at the first, proximal position on the proximally adjacent cylindrical rings; and
wherein the links having the straight portions and at least one curved portion couple a plurality of adjacent cylindrical rings between valleys positioned between circumferentially adjacent pairs of peaks at the proximal position on one ring to the circumferentially aligned peaks positioned between a circumferentially aligned pair of valleys at the distal position on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring. - View Dependent Claims (133, 134, 135)
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136. An intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings including a proximal ring, at least one central ring and a distal ring, each cylindrical ring having a strut pattern, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end and the distal end defining a ring length, the cylindrical rings being coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis forming the stent and radially expandable with a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter;
at least one undulating link coupling adjacent cylindrical rings; and
at least one link having straight portions and at least one curved portion coupling adjacent cylindrical rings;
wherein in the second, implanted diameter of the cylindrical rings, the strut pattern of the cylindrical rings each include an undulating pattern of U-shaped portions forming peaks at the proximal end of the cylindrical ring and valleys at the distal end of the cylindrical ring with struts extending therebetween, the circumferential distance between adjacent peaks on the cylindrical rings being variable about the circumference of the cylindrical rings and the circumferential distance between adjacent valleys on the cylindrical rings being variable about the circumference of the cylindrical rings;
wherein between adjacent cylindrical rings, at least one peak on the distally adjacent ring is circumferentially aligned with a valley on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring, at least one peak on the distally adjacent ring is circumferentially aligned with a peak on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring, at least one valley on the distally adjacent ring is circumferentially aligned with a valley on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring, and at least one valley on the distally adjacent ring is circumferentially aligned with a peak on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring;
at least one undulating link coupling at least one pair of adjacent cylindrical rings between at least one peak on the distally adjacent cylindrical ring and the circumferentially aligned valley on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring;
at least one link having the straight portions and at least one curved portion coupling at least one pair of adjacent cylindrical rings between at least one peak on the distally adjacent cylindrical ring and the circumferentially aligned peak on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring;
at least one link having the straight portions and at least one curved portion coupling at least one pair of adjacent cylindrical rings between at least one valley on the distally adjacent cylindrical ring and the circumferentially aligned valley on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring; and
wherein at least one link having the straight portions and at least one curved portion couples at least one pair of adjacent cylindrical rings between at least one valley on the distally adjacent cylindrical ring and the circumferentially aligned peak on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring. - View Dependent Claims (137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159)
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160. An intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings including a proximal ring, at least one central ring and a distal ring, each cylindrical ring having a strut pattern, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end and the distal end defining a ring length, the cylindrical rings being coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis forming the stent and radially expandable with a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter;
a plurality of undulating links coupling a plurality of adjacent cylindrical rings; and
a plurality of links having straight portions and at least one curved portion coupling a plurality of adjacent cylindrical rings;
wherein in the second, implanted diameter of the cylindrical rings, the strut pattern of the cylindrical rings each including an undulating pattern of U-shaped portions forming peaks at the proximal end of the cylindrical ring and valleys at the distal end of the cylindrical ring with struts extending therebetween, the circumferential distance between adjacent peaks on the cylindrical rings being variable about the circumference of the cylindrical rings and the circumferential distance between adjacent valleys on the cylindrical rings being variable about the circumference of the cylindrical rings;
wherein between adjacent cylindrical rings, a plurality of peaks on the distally adjacent cylindrical ring being positioned at a first, proximal position and at least one peak on the distally adjacent cylindrical ring being positioned at a second, distal position, at least one valley on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring being positioned at a first, proximal position and a plurality of peaks on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring being positioned at a second, distal position, and the at least one peak at the second, distal position on the distally adjacent ring being circumferentially aligned with the at least one valley at the first, proximal position on the proximally adjacent ring;
wherein between adjacent cylindrical rings, at least one peak on the distally adjacent ring is circumferentially aligned with a peak on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring, at least one valley on the distally adjacent ring is circumferentially aligned with a valley on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring, and at least one valley on the distally adjacent ring is circumferentially aligned with a peak on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring;
the undulating links coupling a plurality of pairs of adjacent cylindrical rings between the at least one peak at the second, distal position on the distally adjacent cylindrical ring and the circumferentially aligned valley at the first, proximal position on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring;
the links having the straight portions and at least one curved portion coupling at least one pair of adjacent cylindrical rings between at least one peak on the distally adjacent cylindrical ring and the circumferentially aligned peak on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring;
the links having the straight portions and at least one curved portion coupling at least one pair of adjacent cylindrical rings between at least one valley on the distally adjacent cylindrical ring and the circumferentially aligned valley on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring; and
wherein the links having the straight portions and at least one curved portion couple at least one pair of adjacent cylindrical rings between at least one valley on the distally adjacent cylindrical ring and the circumferentially aligned peak on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring. - View Dependent Claims (161, 162, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167)
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168. An intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings including a proximal ring, at least one central ring and a distal ring, each cylindrical ring having a strut pattern, a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end and the distal end defining a ring length, the cylindrical rings being coaxially aligned along a common longitudinal axis forming the stent and radially expandable with a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter; and
a plurality of links having straight portions and at least one curved portion coupling adjacent cylindrical rings;
wherein in the second, implanted diameter of the cylindrical rings, the strut pattern of the cylindrical rings each include an undulating pattern of U-shaped portions forming peaks at the proximal end of the cylindrical ring and valleys at the distal end of the cylindrical ring with struts extending therebetween, the circumferential distance between adjacent peaks on the cylindrical rings being variable about the circumference of the cylindrical rings and the circumferential distance between adjacent valleys on the cylindrical rings being variable about the circumference of the cylindrical rings;
at least one link coupling at least one pair of adjacent cylindrical rings between at least one peak on the distally adjacent cylindrical ring and a circumferentially nonaligned valley on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring;
at least one link coupling at least one pair of adjacent cylindrical rings between at least one peak on the distally adjacent cylindrical ring and a circumferentially nonaligned peak on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring;
at least one link coupling at least one pair of adjacent cylindrical rings between at least one valley on the distally adjacent cylindrical ring and a circumferentially nonaligned valley on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring; and
wherein at least one link couples at least one pair of adjacent cylindrical rings between at least one valley on the distally adjacent cylindrical ring and a circumferentially nonaligned peak on the proximally adjacent cylindrical ring. - View Dependent Claims (169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 174, 175, 176, 177, 178, 179)
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Specification