Stent segments axially connected by thin film
First Claim
1. A method for fabricating a stent for insertion into a vessel of a patient, the stent having a first smaller diameter for percutaneous insertion into the vessel an a second larger diameter for deployment in the vessel, the method comprising:
- a) forming a plurality of only discrete, independent and unconnected hoops by cutting a tube having a thickness and inner and outer diameters into patterns comprising a plurality of longitudinal struts and a plurality of loops connecting adjacent struts to form a continuous serpentine patter around the diameter of each discrete hoop, each of the plurality of longitudinal struts having a luminal surface, an abluminal surface, and side walls extending between the luminal and abluminal surfaces;
b) orienting the plurality of discrete hoops in spaced apart relationship along a longitudinal axis;
c) vapor depositing a metallic thin film tube having inner and outer diameters;
d) affixing the thin film tube to the plurality of hoops; and
e) folding the thin film tube along bend lines parallel to the longitudinal axis so that when the stent is in the smaller diameter, the thin film tube is folded between at least some circumferentially adjacent longitudinal struts so as to extend between the side walls of the circumferentially adjacent longitudinal struts.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a stent for insertion into a vessel of a patient and a method for manufacturing the same. The stent has front and back open ends and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The stent has a plurality of adjacent hoops that are held in alignment with the longitudinal axis between the front and back open ends by a thin film tube. The hoops are attached to either the inner or outer surface of the thin film tube. The stent is compressed into a first smaller diameter for insertion into the vessel with a delivery tube and a second larger diameter for deployment into the vessel. The inventive stent can be retracted into the delivery tube if it is improperly deployed.
82 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for fabricating a stent for insertion into a vessel of a patient, the stent having a first smaller diameter for percutaneous insertion into the vessel an a second larger diameter for deployment in the vessel, the method comprising:
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a) forming a plurality of only discrete, independent and unconnected hoops by cutting a tube having a thickness and inner and outer diameters into patterns comprising a plurality of longitudinal struts and a plurality of loops connecting adjacent struts to form a continuous serpentine patter around the diameter of each discrete hoop, each of the plurality of longitudinal struts having a luminal surface, an abluminal surface, and side walls extending between the luminal and abluminal surfaces; b) orienting the plurality of discrete hoops in spaced apart relationship along a longitudinal axis; c) vapor depositing a metallic thin film tube having inner and outer diameters; d) affixing the thin film tube to the plurality of hoops; and e) folding the thin film tube along bend lines parallel to the longitudinal axis so that when the stent is in the smaller diameter, the thin film tube is folded between at least some circumferentially adjacent longitudinal struts so as to extend between the side walls of the circumferentially adjacent longitudinal struts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification