Spiral stent assembly

• US 7,458,985 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2004
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Frank Madda, James Schuler
• Original Assignee: Frank Madda, James Schuler
• Inventors: Schuler, James, Madda, Frank
• Primary Examiner(s): TRUONG, KEVIN THAO
• Application Number:
  US10/765,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20050080481A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,771 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.11, 623/1.15, 623/1.2, 606/191, 606/194, 606/195, 606/198
• US Class Current: 623/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/856 Single tubular stent with a side portal passage
• 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 2230/0008 elliptical or oval
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/001 Figure-8-shaped, e.g. hourglass-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0015 Kidney-shaped, e.g. bean-shaped

Abstract

A stent assembly includes a spiral shaped elongate member having a first end and a second end. The elongate member includes a plurality of loops spaced apart from each other. A first contact is attached to and near the first end of the elongate member, and a second contact is attached to and near the second end of the elongate member. The first and second contacts are coupled to a power generator, thereby allowing for a current to be passed from the first contact to the second contact.

Claims

1. A stent assembly, comprising:

a spiral shaped elongate member having a first end and a second end, wherein the elongate member includes a plurality of spiraling loops extending between the first end and the second end, the loops being spaceable so as not to touch each other;

a first contact attached adjacent the first end of the elongate member;

a second contact attached adjacent the second end of the elongate member, wherein the first and second contacts are coupled to a power generator, the power generator arranged to allow a current to be passed from the first contact to the second contact, and

a measuring device that measures current or voltage passing between the first and second contacts.

2. The stent assembly of claim 1, wherein the elongate member is constructed from one contiguous strip.

3. The stent assembly of claim 1, wherein the loops each have a rectangular cross-section.

4. The stent assembly of claim 1, wherein the measuring device is a voltmeter.

5. The stent assembly of claim 1, wherein the measuring device measures current.

6. The stent assembly of claim 1, wherein the measuring device measures voltage.

7. The stent assembly of claim 1, wherein measured information is communicated to an external communications device from an internal communications device.

9. The stent assembly of claim 1, wherein the power generator is an internal power source.

10. The stent assembly of claim 9, wherein the internal power source is a subcutaneous pack.

11. The stent assembly of claim 9, wherein the internal power source is a battery.

8. A stent assembly comprising:

a spiral shaped elongate member having a first end and a second end, wherein the elongate member includes a plurality of spiraling loops extending between the first end and the second end, the loops being spaceable so as not to touch each other;

a first contact attached adjacent the first end of the elongate member; and

a second contact attached adjacent the second end of the elongate member, wherein the first and second contacts are coupled to power generator, the power generator arranged to allow a current to be passed from the first contact to the second contact,

wherein a height of the plurality of loops measured along a radial axis of the plurality of loops is greater than a width of the plurality of loops measured along a longitudinal axis of the plurality of loops.

12. A stent assembly, comprising:

a spiral shaped elongate member having a first end and a second end, wherein the elongate member includes a plurality of spiraling loops extending between the first end and the second end, the loops being spaceable so as not to touch each other;

a first contact attached adjacent the first end of the elongate member;

a second contact attached adjacent the second end of the elongate member, wherein the first and second contacts are coupled to a power source, the power source arranged to allow a current to be passed from the first contact to the second contact, and

a measuring device that measures current or voltage passing between the first and second contacts.