US5104404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Articulated stent
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
•
Filing: 1991-06-20
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Granted: 1992-04-14
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Expires: 2011-06-20
Abstract
Abstract In a first embodiment a number of stent segments are connected together by hinges welded in place to provide articulation between the stent segments. The hinges can be, among other shapes, either a straight wire or a coiled wire of biocompatable material. A second embodiment uses a stent of a previous invention made up of a number or wires welded together for the stent segments with connection between adjacent stents provided by having one of the wires of adjacent stents continue between these adjacent stents to provide a hinge action. In this embodiment the wire portion extending between the segments is ground to a smaller diameter than the wire of the stent segment itself, to provide the necessary hinge flexibility. This articulated stent, made up of a number of individual stent segments, gives support for curved arteries, with the hinges between the segments providing both articulation and spacing between the stent segments. This articulated stent is tailored to match the curvature existing in the artery and is positioned at the site with the necessary preferred angular orientation using a previous catheter system.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney G. Wolff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 04:05
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/82; A61F2/86; A61F2/89; A61F2002/828
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
An articulated separate stent comprising: at least two stent segments, each stent segment having a generally tubular shape; and a hinge means extending between and connecting adjoining stent segments whereby the stent segments may flex and articulate about said hinge means to provide support for curved blood vessels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
48 words
An articulated separate stent comprising: at least two stent segments, each stent segment having a generally tubular shape; and a hinge means extending between and connecting adjoining stent segments whereby the stent segments may flex and articulate about said hinge means to provide support for curved blood vessels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An articulated stent according to claim 1 wherein the stent segments are formed from a plurality of wires.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
An articulated stent according to claim 1 wherein the hinge means includes radiopaque material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An articulated stent according to claim 1 wherein the hinge means is comprised of flexible wire.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
52 words
An articulated stent comprising: at least two separate stent segments, each stent segment formed from a plurality of wires into a generally tubular shape; and hinge means extending between connecting adjoining stent segments whereby the stent segments may flex and articulate about said hinge means to provide support for curved blood vessels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
An articulated stent comprising: at least two separate stent segments, each stent segment formed from a plurality of wires into a generally tubular shape; and hinge means extending between connecting adjoining stent segments whereby the stent segments may flex and articulate about said hinge means to provide support for curved blood vessels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An articulated stent according to claim 5 wherein the wires of the stent segments are comprised of biocompatable metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An articulated stent according to claim 5 wherein the stent segment wires extend substantially the length of the stent segment and are joined together into a tubular unit.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An articulated stent according to claim 7 wherein the hinge means is a single wire common to two adjacent stent segments.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An articulated stent according to claim 8 wherein the single wire is a coiled wire.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
An articulated stent according to claim 7 wherein the single wire is comprised of radiopaque material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
An articulated stent comprising: at least two separate stent segments, each stent segment formed from a plurality of wires into a generally tubular shape; and a single, flexible wire extending between and connecting two adjacent stent segments whereby the stent segments may flex and articulate about said flexible wire to provide support for curved blood vessels.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
An articulated stent comprising: at least two separate stent segments, each stent segment formed from a plurality of wires into a generally tubular shape; and a single, flexible wire extending between and connecting two adjacent stent segments whereby the stent segments may flex and articulate about said flexible wire to provide support for curved blood vessels.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
An articulated stent according to claim 11 wherein the single, flexible wire is a coiled wire.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
An articulated stent according to claim 1 wherein the single, flexible wire is comprised of radiopaque material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
64 words
An articulated stent for placement in a lumen of a body organ comprising: first and second separate stent segments, each stent segment having structure for maintaining patency of the lumen; and hinge means extending between and connecting the first and second stent segments flex and whereby the stent segments articulate about said hinge means to allow the segments to independently act on the lumen.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
64 words
An articulated stent for placement in a lumen of a body organ comprising: first and second separate stent segments, each stent segment having structure for maintaining patency of the lumen; and hinge means extending between and connecting the first and second stent segments flex and whereby the stent segments articulate about said hinge means to allow the segments to independently act on the lumen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
An articulated stent according to claim 14 wherein the first and second stent segments are comprised of a plurality of wires formed into a generally tubular shape.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
An articulated stent according to claim 15 wherein the stent segment wires extend substantially the length of the stent segment and are joined together into a tubular unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
An articulated stent according to claim 14 wherein the hinge means is a single wire common to each of the first and second stent segments.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
An articulated stent according to claim 17 wherein the single wire is a coiled wire.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
An articulated stent according to claim 14 wherein the hinge means includes radiopaque material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-04-14 | 1995-10-14 | 1996-04-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-04-14 | 1999-10-14 | 2000-04-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-04-14 | 2003-10-14 | 2004-04-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |