Intravascular stent

• US 9,402,752 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2014
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Original Assignee: Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated (Abbott Laboratories)
• Inventors: Kreidler, Marc S., Miller, Jessica P.
• Primary Examiner(s): SZPIRA, JULIE ANN
• Application Number:
  US14/314,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20140309724A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.11, 623/1.15, 623/1.13, 623/1.18, 623/1.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/89 the wire-like elements comprising two or more adjacent rings flexibly connected by separate members
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/91 made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/915 with bands having a meander structure, adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91508 the meander having a difference in amplitude along the band
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91516 the meander having a change in frequency along the band
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91525 within the whole structure different bands showing different meander characteristics, e.g. frequency or amplitude
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91533 characterised by the phase between adjacent bands
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91541 Adjacent bands are arranged out of phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91566 connected trough to trough
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91575 connected peak to trough

Abstract

A stent design reduces the likelihood of contact among structural members when the stent diameter is reduced before insertion into the body. In one approach, an undulating link has a J-shaped profile or has an angled portion on one side at the peak of the link, in order to reduce contact during crimping. The stent may also include structural features that improve such aspects as flexibility, the coatability of a drug coating onto the stent, flare reduction, stent retention within the body and/or reduction of the minimum diameter of the stent during crimping.

Claims

1. A flexible intravascular stent for use in a body lumen, comprising:

a plurality of cylindrical rings aligned along a common longitudinal axis and interconnected to form the stent, each cylindrical ring having a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter;

at least some of the cylindrical rings each having a plurality of first peaks and second peaks, each of the peaks having a height, the second peaks being shorter than the first peaks;

at least one undulating link attaching each cylindrical ring to an adjacent cylindrical ring, at least one undulating link having a J-shaped portion which includes a first curve that has a radius greater than a radius of the second peak, so that the J-shaped portion is prevented from contacting the second peak radius when the stent is compressed to the first delivery diameter.

2. The stent of claim 1, wherein the stent is formed from a shape memory alloy.

3. The stent of claim 1, wherein the stent is formed from a superelastic or pseudoelastic metal alloy.

4. The stent of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the stent has a variable thickness configuration.

5. The stent of claim 1, wherein at least some of the first peaks have a first radius and the second peaks have a second radius, the second radius being greater than the first radius.

6. The stent of claim 1, wherein at least some of the first peaks have a pair of first struts and at least some of the second peaks have a pair of second struts, the first struts being longer than the second struts.

7. The stent of claim 1, wherein the stent further comprises a short crest having an upward angulation.

8. The stent of claim 1, wherein the stent further comprises means for improving flexibility of the stent.

9. The stent of claim 1, wherein the stent further comprises means for improving coatability of a drug coating onto the stent.

10. The stent of claim 1, wherein the stent further comprises means for reducing flaring.

11. The stent of claim 1, wherein the stent further comprises means for improving stent retention.