Endoprosthesis having foot extensions
First Claim
1. A method for inserting a radiopaque marker in an endoprosthesis, comprising:
- a. fabricating an endoprosthesis including a plurality of annular elements, each of said annular elements composed of a plurality of interconnected strut members each having a first end and a second end, wherein at least one of the annular elements includes a foot extension extending between at least one pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members, the foot extension having a first foot portion extending circumferentially from the first end of one of the circumferentially-adjacent strut members and a second foot portion extending circumferentially from the first end of the other of the circumferentially-adjacent strut members, the first and second foot portions joined at a toe portion to form an open foot region defined by a boundary of the first foot portion, the second foot portion, and the toe portion, a portion of the open foot region longitudinally aligned with one of the circumferentially adjacent strut members, the at least one foot extension disposed at an end of the endoprosthesis, the endoprosthesis further having at least one eyelet extending longitudinally-outward from the at least one foot extension at the end of the endoprosthesis and sized to receive a radiopaque marker member therein;
b. pre-forming a first head on the radiopaque marker member;
c. disposing the radiopaque marker member within the at least one eyelet of the endoprosthesis, wherein said first head projects above a surface of the endoprosthesis; and
d. forming a second head on a second end of the radiopaque marker member, said second head projecting above a second surface of the endoprosthesis.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes at least one annular element defined by a first set of strut members interconnected to define apices proximate opposite sides of the annular element. The annular element further includes a foot extension extending between at least one pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members. The foot extension has first and second foot portions extending circumferentially from corresponding ends of the circumferentially-adjacent strut members, and are contoured to provide at least two areas of flexure. The first and second foot portions are joined at a toe portion of the foot extension, and define a circumferentially-directed apex between the pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members. Preferably, at least one or more additional annular elements, each defined by interconnected strut members, are provided. The annular elements are generally expandable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. The annular elements are longitudinally aligned and connected at connection locations with connectors, wherein at least one of the connectors is constructed of a bio-absorbable material.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A method for inserting a radiopaque marker in an endoprosthesis, comprising:
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a. fabricating an endoprosthesis including a plurality of annular elements, each of said annular elements composed of a plurality of interconnected strut members each having a first end and a second end, wherein at least one of the annular elements includes a foot extension extending between at least one pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members, the foot extension having a first foot portion extending circumferentially from the first end of one of the circumferentially-adjacent strut members and a second foot portion extending circumferentially from the first end of the other of the circumferentially-adjacent strut members, the first and second foot portions joined at a toe portion to form an open foot region defined by a boundary of the first foot portion, the second foot portion, and the toe portion, a portion of the open foot region longitudinally aligned with one of the circumferentially adjacent strut members, the at least one foot extension disposed at an end of the endoprosthesis, the endoprosthesis further having at least one eyelet extending longitudinally-outward from the at least one foot extension at the end of the endoprosthesis and sized to receive a radiopaque marker member therein; b. pre-forming a first head on the radiopaque marker member; c. disposing the radiopaque marker member within the at least one eyelet of the endoprosthesis, wherein said first head projects above a surface of the endoprosthesis; and d. forming a second head on a second end of the radiopaque marker member, said second head projecting above a second surface of the endoprosthesis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification