Flexible MEMS actuated controlled expansion stent
First Claim
1. An automatically controlled expansion stent, comprising:
- a substantially tubular expansible stent body comprising a first and a second end, inner and outer wall surfaces, and a first diameter that permits intraluminal delivery;
at least two radial expansion trusses for expanding said stent body, said expansion trusses composed of a plurality of hinged links which allow symmetrical expansion of the radial expansion trusses, and further including a plurality of interconnects interposed between said radial expansion trusses;
actuation means for selectively expanding said stent body mechanically, wherein the expansion of said stent body does not involve a plastic deformation process or utilize shape memory material characteristics;
control means for actively controlling said actuation means;
wherein said hinged links comprise a combination of triangular shaped links, angulated links, and notched angulated links, each attached to an adjoining link by hinged pivot points.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatically controlled expansion stent having an expansible stent body, actuation means for expanding the stent body, and control means for actively controlling the actuation means. The stent body is substantially tubular and includes material layers covering a plurality of radial expansion trusses. The stent employs MEMS motors under the control of a programmable logic device to expand the trusses and the stent body. Force from the motor is communicated to the expansion trusses through interconnects, which pivotally connect the trusses and provide channels for pull wires extending from the motors to the trusses. The trusses comprise a plurality of hinged links which produce symmetrical expansion of the stent body when actuated by the MEMS motor.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. An automatically controlled expansion stent, comprising:
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a substantially tubular expansible stent body comprising a first and a second end, inner and outer wall surfaces, and a first diameter that permits intraluminal delivery; at least two radial expansion trusses for expanding said stent body, said expansion trusses composed of a plurality of hinged links which allow symmetrical expansion of the radial expansion trusses, and further including a plurality of interconnects interposed between said radial expansion trusses; actuation means for selectively expanding said stent body mechanically, wherein the expansion of said stent body does not involve a plastic deformation process or utilize shape memory material characteristics; control means for actively controlling said actuation means; wherein said hinged links comprise a combination of triangular shaped links, angulated links, and notched angulated links, each attached to an adjoining link by hinged pivot points. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An automatically controlled expansion stent, comprising:
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an expansible stent body; at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) motor operatively connected to said stent body for selectively expanding said stent body mechanically, wherein the expansion of said stent body does not involve a plastic deformation process or utilize shape memory material characteristics; and control means for actively controlling said MEMS motor, wherein said control means is electrically connected to said MEMS motors and comprises a device selected from the group consisting of a PLC and a microprocessor.
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5. An automatically controlled expansion stent, comprising:
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an expansible substantially tubular stent body having first and second ends, inner and outer wall surfaces, and a first diameter that permits intraluminal delivery; at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) motor operatively connected to said stent body for expanding said stent body; control means for actively controlling said MEMS motor; wherein said tubular body is enlarged by the use of at least two radial expansion trusses composed of a plurality of hinged links which allow symmetrical expansion of the radial expansion trusses, and further including a plurality of interconnects interposed between said radial expansion trusses; and wherein each of said MEMS motors is connected to at least one radial expansion truss through a pull wire extending through at least one of said interconnects which attaches to said radial expansion truss, and wherein as force is exerted on said pull wire by said MEMS motor, said radial expansion truss is expanded.
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Specification