Intravascular stent
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A flexible intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
- a plurality of cylindrical rings interconnected to form the stent and a stent longitudinal axis, each cylindrical ring having a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter;
each cylindrical ring having a plurality of peaks and valleys and a proximal end and a distal end defining a cylindrical wall extending circumferentially between the proximal end and the distal end of the cylindrical ring; and
at least one flexible link attaching each cylindrical ring to an adjacent cylindrical ring, the link including a first link portion connected to only one ring and a second link portion connected only to the adjacent ring, and a completely bounded aperture disposed between the first and second link portions and disposed nearer one of the adjacent rings, with the bounded aperture having a major axis and a minor axis, with the major axis disposed generally transverse to the stent longitudinal axis.
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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 an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by links with apertures and/or undulating links. The apertured links and undulating links provide the stent with a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet the stent has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen.
306 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A flexible intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings interconnected to form the stent and a stent longitudinal axis, each cylindrical ring having a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter;
each cylindrical ring having a plurality of peaks and valleys and a proximal end and a distal end defining a cylindrical wall extending circumferentially between the proximal end and the distal end of the cylindrical ring; and
at least one flexible link attaching each cylindrical ring to an adjacent cylindrical ring, the link including a first link portion connected to only one ring and a second link portion connected only to the adjacent ring, and a completely bounded aperture disposed between the first and second link portions and disposed nearer one of the adjacent rings, with the bounded aperture having a major axis and a minor axis, with the major axis disposed generally transverse to the stent longitudinal axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A flexible intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings interconnected to form the stent and a stent longitudinal axis, each cylindrical ring having a first delivery diameter and a second expanded diameter, each cylindrical ring having a plurality of peaks and valleys defining ends of the rings; and
at least one link attaching each cylindrical ring to an adjacent cylindrical ring, the link including (1) a first link portion connected only to one ring and a second link portion connected only to the adjacent ring, (2) a completely bounded aperture disposed in the link between the first and second link portions and also disposed nearer one of the ends of the adjacent rings, (3) a major axis of the bounded aperture disposed generally perpendicular to the stent longitudinal axis, and (4) a tapered link portion connecting the link to the generally perpendicular link portion. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A flexible intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings interconnected to form the stent and a stent longitudinal axis, each cylindrical ring having a first delivery diameter, a second expanded diameter, and a plurality of peaks and valleys; and
at least one link attaching each cylindrical ring to an adjacent cylindrical ring, the link including (1) a first link portion connected only to one ring and a second link portion connected only to the adjacent ring, (2) a completely bounded aperture disposed in the link between the first and second link portions, the aperture including a major axis disposed generally perpendicular to the stent longitudinal axis, (3) a tapered portion connecting the link to the generally perpendicular portion, (4) a radiused portion connecting the tapered and perpendicular portions, and (5) at least two undulating link portions, one undulating link portion being disposed between the aperture and one ring, and another undulating link being disposed between the aperture and an adjacent ring.
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29. A flexible intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:
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a plurality of cylindrical rings interconnected to form the stent with a longitudinal axis, each cylindrical ring having a first delivery diameter and a second expanded diameter;
the cylindrical rings having a plurality of U shaped portions, Y shaped portions, and W shaped portions that are expandable;
each cylindrical ring having a proximal end and a distal end defining a cylindrical wall extending circumferentially between the proximal end and the distal end of the cylindrical ring; and
at least one flexible link attaching each cylindrical ring to an adjacent cylindrical ring, the link including a first link portion connected only to one ring and a second link portion connected only to the adjacent ring, and a completely bounded aperture disposed between the first and second link portions ends of the adjacent cylindrical rings, the aperture being defined in part by two aperture defining link portions, which form a major axis of the aperture that is disposed generally perpendicular to the stent longitudinal axis and being connected to the link by two tapered and radiused link portions disposed on opposite sides of the aperture. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification