Stent with enhanced bendability and flexibility

• US 20030014101A1
• Filed: 06/29/2001
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Advanced Cardiovascular Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Harrison, William J.
• Granted Patent: US 6,605,110 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 623/1.15
• 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 2002/91516 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 2002/91575 connected peak to trough
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped

Abstract

The invention is directed to an expandable self-expanding stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent is made with a plurality of cylindrical elements which are interconnected by a plurality of interconnecting members which connect adjacent cylindrical elements, some of the interconnecting members have one or more bending points formed therein for promoting the bendability of the interconnecting member. The bending point can be formed by reducing the strut wall thickness of the interconnecting member to promote the bending of the strut or it can be formed by reducing the strut width of the interconnecting member, or a combination of both. The bending points on the interconnecting member enhances the bendability and flexibility of the composite stent device by creating mechanical hinges which help to bend the stent as it is delivered through the tortuous anatomy of the patient or conforms to a curved portion of a body vessel, where the stent may be implanted.

Claims

1. A stent for implanting in a body lumen, comprising:

a plurality of adjacent cylindrical elements each having a circumference extending around a longitudinal stent axis and being substantially independently expandable in a radial direction, each cylindrical element being formed in a generally serpentine wave pattern transverse to the longitudinal axis of the stent; and

a plurality of interconnecting members extending between cylindrical elements to connect adjacent cylindrical elements, some of the interconnecting members having one or more bending points formed therein for promoting the bendabilty of the interconnecting member.

2. The stent of claim 1, wherein:

each bending point is a weakened area of the strut forming the interconnecting member.

3. The stent of claim 1, wherein:

interconnecting member is formed of a strut having a substantially uniform strut wall thickness and each bending point is formed by reducing the strut wall thickness at the location of the bending point.

4. The stent of claim 1, wherein:

interconnecting member is formed of a strut having a substantially uniform strut width and each bending point is formed by reducing the strut width at the location of the bending point.

5. The stent of claim 1, wherein:

interconnecting member is formed of a strut having a substantially uniform strut wall thickness and strut width and each bending point is formed by reducing the strut wall thickness and strut width at the location of the bending point.

6. The stent of claim 1, wherein:

each interconnecting member has at least one bending point formed therein.

7. The stent of claim 1, wherein:

some interconnecting members have three bending points formed therein.

8. The stent of claim 7, wherein:

two of the three bending points are formed at the area where the interconnecting member is connected to a cylindrical element.

9. The stent of claim 8, wherein:

the third bending point is located substantially near the center of the interconnecting member.

10. The stent of claim 1, wherein:

the stent is formed from a biocompatible material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, tungsten, tantalum, titanium alloys, and thermal plastic polymers.

14. The stent of claim 1, wherein:

the bending point is formed by reducing the strut wall thickness on the interconnecting member.

11. A stent for implanting in a body lumen, comprising:

a plurality of adjacent cylindrical elements each formed from a strut having a strut wall thickness and a strut wall width and being substantially independently expandable in a radial direction; and

a plurality of interconnecting members each formed from a strut having a strut wall thickness and a strut wall width and extending between adjacent cylindrical elements to connect adjacent cylindrical elements together, some of the interconnecting members having a plurality of bending points formed therein for promoting the bendability of the interconnecting member.

12. The stent of claim 11, wherein:

each interconnecting member has a strut width narrower than the strut width of the cylindrical elements.

15. The stent of claim 11, wherein:

the bending point is formed on a strut by reducing the strut width of the interconnecting member.

16. The stent of claim 11, wherein:

the bending point is formed by reducing both the strut wall thickness and strut width of the interconnecting member.

17. The stent of claim 11, wherein:

each interconnecting member has a plurality of bending points formed therein.

19. The stent of claim 18, wherein:

two of the three bending points are formed at the area where the interconnecting member is connected to a cylindrical element.

20. The stent of claim 19, wherein:

the third bending point is located substantially near the center of the interconnecting member.

21. The stent of claim 11, wherein:

the stent is formed from a biocompatible material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, tungsten, tantalum, nickel titanium alloys, and thermal plastic polymers.

13. The stent of claim 111, wherein:

each bending point is formed by weakening the strut forming the interconnecting member to allow the bending points to bend before the remainder of the strut bends once subjected to an external force.

18. The stent of claim 111, wherein:

each interconnecting member has three bending points formed therein.