Stent with micro-latching hinge joints
First Claim
1. A link for use in constructing an intravascular stent, comprising a flexible connector having first and second ends;
- a first radial support member having a first end attached to said first end of said connector and having a second end extending away from said connector;
a second radial support member having a first end attached to said second end of said connector and having a second end extending away from said connector;
a first rotary ratchet means disposed at said first end of said first radial support member;
a second rotary ratchet means disposed at said first end of said second radial support member;
a third rotary ratchet means complementary to said second rotary ratchet means and disposed at said second end of said first radial support member; and
, a fourth rotary ratchet means complementary to said first rotary ratchet means and disposed at said second end of said second radial support member.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A stent is constructed using interconnected links having micro-mechanical latching mechanisms. The micro-mechanical latching elements allow relative rotational movement of interconnected links in one rotational direction but restrict relative rotational movement of the two links in the opposite direction. The micro-mechanical latch surface features are formed using microelectronic mechanical systems (MEMS) manufacturing methods. The male surface of the latching components contains an array of ridges or protrusions, and the receiving surface contains a matching array of recesses. The array of ridges or protrusions and the corresponding recesses have uniformly dissimilar slopes that result in a substantially greater frictional force in one direction than in the opposite direction. The separation distance between the two surfaces is such that the male latch surface is engaged with the receiving surface recesses in the low stress “locked” state, preventing motion in the undesired direction. Each male ridge or protrusion can be underlined by a void that promotes elastic deflection when sliding in the desired direction and recovery into the ‘locked’ state when aligned with the recesses.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A link for use in constructing an intravascular stent, comprising a flexible connector having first and second ends;
- a first radial support member having a first end attached to said first end of said connector and having a second end extending away from said connector;
a second radial support member having a first end attached to said second end of said connector and having a second end extending away from said connector;
a first rotary ratchet means disposed at said first end of said first radial support member;
a second rotary ratchet means disposed at said first end of said second radial support member;
a third rotary ratchet means complementary to said second rotary ratchet means and disposed at said second end of said first radial support member; and
, a fourth rotary ratchet means complementary to said first rotary ratchet means and disposed at said second end of said second radial support member. - View Dependent Claims (2)
- a first radial support member having a first end attached to said first end of said connector and having a second end extending away from said connector;
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3. A link for use in constructing a medical device comprising a flexible connector having first and second ends;
- a first radial support member having a first end attached to said first end of said connector and having a second end extending away from said connector;
a second radial support member having a first end attached to said second end of said connector and having a second end extending away from said connector;
a first rotary ratchet means disposed at said first end of said first radial support member;
a second rotary ratchet means disposed at said first end of said second radial support member;
a third rotary ratchet means complementary to said second rotary ratchet means and disposed at said second end of said first radial support member; and
a fourth rotary ratchet means complementary to said first rotary ratchet means and disposed at said second end of said second radial support member;
one of said second and third rotary ratchet means and one of said first and fourth rotary ratchet means comprises a wheel with angled teeth formed on its periphery;
one of said second and third rotary ratchet means and one of said first and fourth rotary ratchet means comprises a wheel with angled teeth formed on its periphery;
the other of said second and third rotary ratchet means and the other of said first and fourth rotary ratchet means comprises walls defining a circular recess complementary to said wheel, said walls having cutouts complementary to said angled teeth formed therein. - View Dependent Claims (4)
- a first radial support member having a first end attached to said first end of said connector and having a second end extending away from said connector;
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5. A medical device comprised of a plurality of interconnected links, a plurality of said links comprising a flexible connector having first and second ends;
- a first radial support member having a first end attached to said first end of said connector and having a second end extending away from said connector;
a second radial support member having a first end attached to said second end of said connector and having a second end extending away from said connector;
a first rotary ratchet means disposed at said first end of said first radial support member;
a second rotary ratchet means disposed at said first end of said second radial support member;
a third rotary ratchet means complementary to said second rotary ratchet means and disposed at said second end of said first radial support member; and
a fourth rotary ratchet means complementary to said first rotary ratchet means and disposed at said second end of said second radial support member;
each one of said plurality of links being surrounded by and connected to four identical adjacent links, wherein a first identical adjacent link has its fourth rotary ratchet means engaged with the first rotary ratchet means of the one link;
wherein a second identical adjacent link has its third rotary ratchet means engaged with the second rotary ratchet means of the one link;
wherein a third identical adjacent link has its second rotary ratchet means engaged with the third rotary ratchet means of the one link; and
wherein a fourth identical adjacent link has its first rotary ratchet means engaged with the fourth rotary ratchet means of the one link. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
- a first radial support member having a first end attached to said first end of said connector and having a second end extending away from said connector;
- 8. A medical device that includes a body section, said body section includes a plurality of links, at least one of said links enabling at least a portion of said body section to expand and to restist contracting once said body section is at least partially expanded, at least one of said links including at least one link segment, said link segment including a head portion and a support member, said support member having first and second ends, first end of said support member rotatably connected to said head portion, said first end of said support member and said head portion including an engagement arrangement that has at least one engagement surface designed to limit a direction of rotation of said support member in a single direction relative to said head portion.
Specification