Radially expansible vessel scaffold having modified radiopacity

• US 6,926,734 B1
• Filed: 10/11/2000
• Issued: 08/09/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LEAP Medical Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avantec Vascular Corporation
• Inventors: Klein, Enrique J.
• Primary Examiner(s): STEWART, ALVIN J
• Application Number:
  US09/687,606
• Time in Patent Office: 1,763 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.34, 623/1.44, 623/1.15, 623/1.3, 623/1.31, 623/1.32, 623/1.18, 623/1.45, 623/1.46, 623/1.22, 623/1.25, 623/1.37, 623/1.12, 606/194
• US Class Current: 623/1.34
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0095 Packages or dispensers for prostheses or other implants for intraocular lenses A61F2/1691; for dental surgery A61C19/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/86 Stents in a form characterised by the wire-like elements; Stents in the form characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• 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 2/958 Inflatable balloons for placing stents or stent-grafts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/825 having longitudinal struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/8486 provided on at least one of the ends
• 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 2002/91541 Adjacent bands are arranged out of phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/9155 Adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91566 connected trough to trough
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0018 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0039 differing in diameter
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0098 radio-opaque, e.g. radio-opaque markers

Abstract

The present invention provides improved prostheses and methods for their endolumenal placement within body lumens, particularly blood vessels. In one embodiment, the prosthesis of the present invention comprises a plurality of radially expansible rings having, a plurality of beams connecting axially remote points on adjacent rings, and a plurality of expansion joints connecting axially proximate points on adjacent rings. The beams maintain the remote points at a fixed distance when the prosthesis is radially expanded and the expansion joints allow for relative movement of the proximate points during delivery of the prosthesis. The combination of the beams and expansion joints minimizes the risk of injury to the body lumen during delivery of the prosthesis to a target site and provides improved tracking capabilities.

Claims

1. A radially expansible luminal prosthesis comprising:

a cylindrical frame having a distal end, a proximal end, a midsection therebetween, and an outer surface for insertion into a body lumen, wherein the cylindrical frame includes a continuous circumferential section comprising stainless steel having a constant radial thickness and a layer of radiopaque material coated over the entire stainless steel frame, wherein the radiopaque material is thicker at at least one of the proximal end and the distal end.

2. The radially expansible luminal prosthesis as in claim 1, wherein the radiopaque material is selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, platinum, iridium, tungsten, and tantalum.

3. A radially expansible luminal prosthesis having a plurality of interconnected ring segments, comprising:

a. a first end ring segment;

b. at least one intermediate ring segment which is longitudinally spaced from the first end ring segment and which has a continuous circumferential section having a thickness;

c. a second end ring segment which is longitudinally spaced further from the first ring segment than the at least one intermediate ring segment and which has a continuous circumferential section surrounding the second end ring segment having a radial thickness; and

radiopaque material coating each of the ring segments, wherein a radial thickness of the radiopaque material is greater on at least one of the end segments.

4. The intraluminal prosthesis of claim 3, wherein the at least one intermediate ring section is proximally adjacent to the second ring segment.

5. The intraluminal prosthesis of claim 3, wherein the radiopaque coating on the continuous circumferential section of the second ring segment is formed by dipping the second ring segment of the prosthesis in a bath of radiopaque material.

6. The intraluminal prosthesis of claim 3, wherein the second ring segment is at a distal end of the prosthesis.

7. The intraluminal prosthesis of claim 3, wherein the radiopaque coating on the continuous circumferential section of the first ring segment is formed by dipping the first ring segment of the prosthesis in a bath of radiopaque material.