×

Variable stiffness stent

  • US 9,717,609 B2
  • Filed: 08/01/2013
  • Issued: 08/01/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2013
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A stent having a circumference and an axis, comprising:

  • a pattern of interconnected elements forming a plurality of rings made of a non-biodegrading material wherein rings comprise struts, rings are connected to adjacent rings by links and each ring extends about the circumference in an undulating pattern of alternating peaks and valleys; and

    at least one of the peaks and valleys comprising;

    an outer crest of a peak and an outer trough of a valley, wherein a distance between the outer crest and the outer trough is a width of the ring,a first strut extending from the outer crest to the outer trough of a first adjacent valley and a second strut extending from the outer crest to the outer trough of a second adjacent valley,a redundant crest integral to the peak, located between the outer crest and the outer trough of the first adjacent valley and extending between the first and second struts,the redundant crest including a notch,a first radial stiffness when the notch is severed, anda second radial stiffness, higher than the first radial stiffness, when the notch has not severed,wherein the peak is configured such that the outer crest is capable of carrying radial loads between the first and second struts after the redundant crest substantially fails.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×