Gradually self-expanding stent
First Claim
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1. A self-expanding stent, comprising:
- a stent structure comprising a plurality of stent cells having a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration, said stent structure being self-expanding from said compressed configuration to said expanded configuration;
a first region and two second regions of said stent structure, said first region being disposed longitudinally between said second regions, said first region comprising a first plurality of said stent cells and a second plurality of said stent cells dispersed circumferentially amongst said first plurality of said stent cells, each of said first plurality of said stent cell comprising at least a pair of circumferentially adjacent structural members connected to each other through a first bend;
a first restraining material attached to said first region of said stent structure and extending across an entirety of a first material area defined by the pair of circumferentially adjacent structural members and the first bend, said second plurality of said stent cells being unrestrained by the first restraining material, said first restraining material initially restraining said first region from expanding to said expanded configuration, and said first restraining material releasing said first region over time to allow said first region to expand to said expanded configuration; and
wherein said second regions of said stent structure expand at a faster rate than said first region.
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Abstract
A gradually self-expanding stent is provided with a first region of stent cells. A restraining material is attached to the first region and restrains the first region from expanding to the expanded configuration. Over time the restraining material releases the first region to allow the first region to expand to the expanded diameter. The first region is located longitudinally between two second regions. The second regions expand at a faster rate than the first region.
30 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A self-expanding stent, comprising:
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a stent structure comprising a plurality of stent cells having a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration, said stent structure being self-expanding from said compressed configuration to said expanded configuration; a first region and two second regions of said stent structure, said first region being disposed longitudinally between said second regions, said first region comprising a first plurality of said stent cells and a second plurality of said stent cells dispersed circumferentially amongst said first plurality of said stent cells, each of said first plurality of said stent cell comprising at least a pair of circumferentially adjacent structural members connected to each other through a first bend; a first restraining material attached to said first region of said stent structure and extending across an entirety of a first material area defined by the pair of circumferentially adjacent structural members and the first bend, said second plurality of said stent cells being unrestrained by the first restraining material, said first restraining material initially restraining said first region from expanding to said expanded configuration, and said first restraining material releasing said first region over time to allow said first region to expand to said expanded configuration; and wherein said second regions of said stent structure expand at a faster rate than said first region. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A self-expanding stent, comprising:
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a stent structure having a circumference and comprising a plurality of stent cells having a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration, said stent structure being self-expanding from said compressed configuration to said expanded configuration; a first region and two second regions of said stent structure, said first region being disposed longitudinally between said second regions; a first restraining material attached to said first region of said stent structure and forming regions about the circumference, said regions being circumferentially discontinuous, said first restraining material initially restraining said first region from expanding to said expanded configuration, and said first restraining material releasing said first region over time to allow said first region to expand to said expanded configuration; and wherein said second regions of said stent structure expand at a faster rate than said first region.
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Specification