Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Arterial prosthesis – Stent structure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-13
2003-01-14
Reip, David O. (Department: 3731)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Arterial prosthesis
Stent structure
Reexamination Certificate
active
06506211
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The use of stents in bodily lumen is well known. A stent is typically delivered in an unexpanded state to a desired location in a bodily lumen and then expanded.
The stent may be expanded via the use of mechanical device such as a balloon or the stent may be self-expanding.
Because a stent often must be delivered through tortuous anatomy, it is desirable for the stent to be flexible. It is also desirable for the stent to exhibit high scaffolding strength in the expanded state. In general, however, as stent flexibility is increased, scaffolding strength is decreased and similarly, as scaffolding strength is increased, flexibility is decreased.
There remains a need for a stent having a high degree of flexibility in the unexpanded state and high scaffolding strength in the expanded state.
All U.S. patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
The invention in various of its embodiment is summarized below. Additional details of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a stent comprising a plurality of interconnected circumferential bands with a flowpath therethrough. At least one of the bands includes at least one substantially M-shaped segment selected from the group consisting of convex M-shaped segments and concave M-shaped segments. In the case of a convex M-shaped segment, the segment comprises a first convex outer leg, a second convex outer leg and a connector connecting the first convex outer leg and the second convex outer leg. In the case of a concave M-shaped segment, the segment comprises a first concave outer leg, a second concave outer leg and a connector connecting the first concave outer leg and the second concave outer leg.
Desirably, the at least one band comprises a plurality of M-shaped segments whether convex, concave or both. Where present, adjacent convex M-shaped segments may be interconnected via a loop extending therebetween. The loop may optionally comprise a concave first portion and a concave second portion. Where present, adjacent concave M-shaped segments may be interconnected via a loop extending therebetween. The loop may optionally comprise a convex first portion and a convex second portion. Where convex M-shaped segments are present in multiple bands, they may optionally be inverted relative to one another in adjacent bands. Similarly,where concave M-shaped segments are present in multiple bands, they may optionally be inverted relative to one another in adjacent; bands.
In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a stent comprising a plurality of connected bands. At least one of the bands comprises a repeating pattern of three or more substantially parallel interconnected segments with a first curvature and three or more substantially parallel interconnected segments with a second curvature. One of the segments with the first curvature is connected to one of the segments with the second curvature. Desirably, the first curvature is opposite to the second curvature. Also desirably, the stent comprises a plurality of the bands with each band comprising a repeating pattern of three or more substantially parallel interconnected segments with a first curvature and three or more substantially parallel interconnected segments with a second curvature, one of the segments of the first curvature connected to one of the segments with the second curvature.
In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a stent comprising a plurality of interconnected circumferential bands where at least one of the bands has a proximal end and a distal end and one of the proximal and distal ends comprises at least one first loop and at least one second loop. The first loop includes a portion which is disposed substantially circumferentially and the second loop includes a portion which is substantially arrow shaped. Desirably, at least one of the bands comprises a plurality of first and second loops alternating with one another. Also desirably, the stent comprises a plurality of such bands. Adjacent bands may be connected one to the other to form combined bands with openings therein.
The invention is also directed to a stent comprising at least one first cell having a first end and a second end. The first end terminates in a circumferential component and the second end terminates in an arrow-shaped component opposite the first end. The stent may comprise a plurality of such interconnected first cells. Desirably, the first cells are interconnected circumferentially about the stent and/or longitudinally along the length of the stent.
In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a stent comprising a plurality of serpentine bands extending in a longitudinal direction, including a first serpentine band and a second serpentine band. The first and second serpentine bands are connected by at least one loop member and desirably a plurality of loop members extending in a direction non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent. All or some of the longitudinally adjacent first loop members may open toward the proximal end of the stent. Optionally, longitudinally adjacent first loop members may be oppositely oriented about the longitudinal axis of the stent.. The stent may comprise additional serpentine bands extending in a longitudinal direction and connected to adjacent serpentine bands via additional first loop members.
In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a stent comprising at least one first cell comprising a first generally longitudinal sidewall having at least one bend therein, a second generally longitudinal sidewall having at least one bend therein, wherein the first generally longitudinal sidewall is substantially parallel to the second generally longitudinal sidewall, a proximal wall having at least one loop therein, the loop oriented non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent and a distal wall having at least one loop therein, the loop oriented non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent. Desirably, the stent comprises a plurality of such cells arranged longitudinally and/or circumferentially about the stent. All of the loops in the proximal walls of the cells and all of the loops in the distal walls of the cells may be substantially parallel to one another or may be non-parallel to one another.
In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a stent comprising a plurality of bands, where each band comprises a plurality of distally directed loops and a plurality of proximally directed loops. Each distally directed loop has an open end and a closed end and each proximally directed loop has an open end and a closed end. The proximally directed loops and the distally directed loops are non-parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent and alternate around the band. Optionally, the proximally directed loops and the distally directed loops may be parallel to one another. Circumferentially adjacent proximally directed loops and distally directed loops are connected to one another by first connectors which extend from the open end of the proximally directed loops to the open end of the distally directed loops. The first connectors include a circumferential component. Bands which are adjacent one another are connected by one or more second connectors extending therebetween. The second connectors desirably have at least one bend therein.
in another embodiment, the invention is directed to a stent defined by a structure comprising a plurality of serpentine portions. Each serpentine portion has at least one peak and one trough. At least some of the serpentine portions advance discontinuously in a helical path about a longitudinal axis of the stent to form a discontinuous helical band. The serpentine portions may also be arranged such that at least some of the serpentine portions advance discontinuously in a substantially longitudinal path about a lo
Doran Burns P.
Skubitz Sean P.
Bui Vy Q.
Reip David O.
Scimed Life Systems Inc.
Vidas Arrett & Steinkraus
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