Stent having helical elements
First Claim
1. An expandable stent having an unexpanded state, the unexpanded stent comprising:
- a body defining a cylindrical axis, the body including a plurality of first helical segments, each first helical segment consisting of a plurality of substantially single S-shaped portions alternating with a plurality of connection elements, wherein each substantially single S-shaped portion is connected to only two connection elements and defines at least three generally parallel linear portions each being angled with respect to the cylindrical axis, and wherein each connection element defines a substantial H-shape having two generally parallel legs joined together; and
a plurality of second helical segments, each second helical segment consisting of a plurality of the connection elements alternating with a plurality of undulations extending therebetween, each undulation having a rotational orientation different than each of the substantially single S-shaped segments, and wherein each undulation is an inversion of each substantially single S-shaped segment.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An expandable stent comprised of a plurality of helical segments is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stent is generally cylindrical in shape having a cylindrical axis, and comprises a first and second set of helical segments. The helical segments in the first set are substantially parallel and have a first pitch forming a first helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. The helical segments in the second set are also generally parallel to each other and form a second pitch that differs from the first pitch, thereby forming a second helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. In an alternative embodiment, the stent comprises one set of helical segments and a plurality of circumferential elements that are joined together by the helical segments to form a plurality of cylindrical elements which are joined together to form a stent body. The stent may also have endzones.
169 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An expandable stent having an unexpanded state, the unexpanded stent comprising:
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a body defining a cylindrical axis, the body including a plurality of first helical segments, each first helical segment consisting of a plurality of substantially single S-shaped portions alternating with a plurality of connection elements, wherein each substantially single S-shaped portion is connected to only two connection elements and defines at least three generally parallel linear portions each being angled with respect to the cylindrical axis, and wherein each connection element defines a substantial H-shape having two generally parallel legs joined together; and a plurality of second helical segments, each second helical segment consisting of a plurality of the connection elements alternating with a plurality of undulations extending therebetween, each undulation having a rotational orientation different than each of the substantially single S-shaped segments, and wherein each undulation is an inversion of each substantially single S-shaped segment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An expandable stent defining a cylindrical axis and having an unexpanded state, the unexpanded stent comprising:
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a plurality of first helical segments, each first helical segment consisting of a plurality of substantially S-shaped segments alternating with a plurality of connection elements along substantially an entire length of the stent, wherein each S-shaped segment is connected to only two connection elements and defines at least one generally linear portion being angled with respect to the cylindrical axis, and wherein each connection element is substantially H-shaped with two generally parallel legs joined together; and a plurality of second helical segments, each second helical segment consisting of a plurality of the connection elements alternating with a plurality of undulations, each undulation spanning between two connection elements, and each undulation having a rotational orientation different than each of the substantially S-shaped segments, and each undulation having an inverted substantially single S-shape. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An expandable stent defining a cylindrical axis and having an unexpanded state, the unexpanded stent comprising:
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a first helical segment consisting of a plurality of substantially single-S-shaped segments alternating with a plurality of connection elements along a substantial portion of the stent, each single-S-shaped segment extending between only two connection elements and defining at least one generally linear portion nonparallel to the cylindrical axis, and wherein each connection element includes two generally parallel legs joined together; and a second helical segment consisting of a plurality of the connection elements alternating with a plurality of undulations, each undulation spanning between two connection elements, each undulation having a different rotational orientation than each of the substantially single S-shaped segments, and wherein at least one undulation has an inverted substantially single S-shape. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification