Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Arterial prosthesis – Stent structure
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-16
2001-02-13
Milliw, V. (Department: 3738)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Arterial prosthesis
Stent structure
Reexamination Certificate
active
06187035
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vascular stent, more specifically, to a vascular stent comprising wide vertical branches and narrow horizontal branches having wave-form projections, which has a vertically denser distribution.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In general, the patients suffering from coronary artery obstructive disease (“CAOD”), accompany stenosis of coronary arteries or peripheral blood vessels caused by atheromatous plaques, which may result in decrease in blood flow rate, angina or even sudden death.
Treatment for the patients with CAOD includes the following methods: First, bypass surgery which aims to artificially maintain the blood flow via graft vessel has been introduced in the art. However, it accompanies severe pain at incision site and fear of the patient. Secondly, balloon catheter-using method has been suggested, which comprises a step of inserting a fine balloon catheter into narrowed blood vessel, fixing it at the constricted region and expanding the balloon to broaden the constricted region. Although this method solved the shortcomings of angioplasty to some extent, a problem still remains unsolved that restenosis rate is over 70%. Thirdly, a meshed metallic stent-using method, which comprises a step of inserting the meshed stainless-steel stent into a constricted blood vessel to expand the blood vessel to the normal width and recover normal flow rate of blood. This method slightly decreased restenosis which was observed in the said balloon catheter method, however, the said limitations of the conventional methods, e.g., pain and high restenosis rate, remained unsolved. Moreover, poor flexibility of the metallic stent raised a new problem that it is very difficult to apply the stent to a curved vessel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a novel vascular stent is fabricated, which has wide vertical and narrow horizontal branches whose structures are able to be pressed to thinner profile to afford good adaptability to the anatomy of vessel. The vascular stent of the invention aims to decrease restenosis rate and provides superior flexibility to allow stenting in a bent of blood vessel. In addition, distribution of the branches vertically denser than conventional stents enables the stent to sufficiently extend against high recoiling pressure.
A primary object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a vascular stent which comprises wide vertical branches and narrow horizontal branches having wave-form projections, which allows the thinner profile and maximal flexibility of the stent.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5607442 (1997-03-01), Fischell et al.
patent: 5755771 (1998-05-01), Penn et al.
patent: 5776161 (1998-07-01), Globermann
patent: 5776181 (1998-07-01), Lee et al.
Jackson Suzette J.
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Milliw V.
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