Flexible self-expandable stent using shape memory alloy and method and apparatus for fabricating the same

• US 6,974,472 B2
• Filed: 03/18/2002
• Issued: 12/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Taewoong Medical Company Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Taewoong Medical Company Limited (Olympus Corporation)
• Inventors: Hong, Soon-Hyung, Lee, Jong-Taek, Jung, Jin-Wook, Park, Jae-Hyung, Shin, Kyoung-Min, Son, Woong-Hee
• Primary Examiner(s): Woo, Julian W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEBB, SARAH K
• Application Number:
  US10/098,431
• Publication Number:
  US 20020147489A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• Field of Search: 623/1.13, 623/1.15, 623 118- 12
• US Class Current: 623/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/90 characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2240/001 Designing or manufacturing processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 623/901 Method of manufacturing prosthetic device

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a flexible self-expandable stent using shape memory alloy for expanding stenosal portions and method and apparatus for fabricating the same. The self-expandable stent using shape memory allow, comprises a first cylindrical stent member comprised of a first wire formed of super elastic shape memory alloy, the first wire being bent a large number of times while being extended upwardly and downwardly a large number of times, so the first wire forms a plurality of variable rhombic spaces by forming a plurality of intersections for causing the first wire to be intersected with itself to resist longitudinal constriction of the first cylindrical stent member and a plurality of interlocked points for causing the first wire to be interlocked with itself at spaced positions to allow longitudinal constriction of the first cylindrical stent member; and a second cylindrical stent member comprised of a second wire formed of super elastic shape memory alloy, the second wire being diagonally extended in parallel with the previously positioned first wire and passed alternately under and over the first wire so as to divide each of a plurality of rhombic spaces formed in the first cylindrical stent member into four equal parts, thereby preventing the first and second cylindrical stent members from being separated from each other.

Claims

1. A self-expandable stent using shape memory alloy, comprising:

a first cylindrical stent member comprised of a first wire formed of super elastic shape memory alloy, said first wire being bent a large number of times while being extended upwardly and downwardly a large number of times, so said first wire forms a plurality of variable rhombic spaces by forming a plurality of intersections for causing said first wire to be intersected with itself to resist longitudinal constriction of said first cylindrical stent member and a plurality of interlocked points for causing said first wire to be interlocked with itself at spaced positions to allow longitudinal constriction of said first cylindrical stent member; and

a second cylindrical stent member comprised of a second wire formed of super elastic shape memory alloy, said second wire being diagonally extended in parallel with the previously positioned first wire and passed alternately under and over the first wire so as to divide each of a plurality of rhombic spaces formed in the first cylindrical stent member into four equal parts, thereby preventing said first and second cylindrical stent members from being separated from each other.