US5776181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expandable stent
Assignee: Medstent Inc
•
Filing: 1996-07-25
•
Granted: 1998-07-07
•
Expires: 2016-07-25
Abstract
Abstract A stent has a tubular body with longitudinal struts interconnected by multi-bar linkages. The struts inhibit foreshortening of the body and relative rotation between the links in the linkages permits radial expansion. The links are plastically deformed as they are expanded to maintain the expanded diameter.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Michael Lee
- 👤 Katherin H. Crewe
- 👤 Christine Mastrangelo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/82; A61F2/86; A61F2/90; A61F2/91; A61F2/915; A61F2002/91533; A61F2002/9155; A61F2002/91575; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0004; A61F2230/0013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 69
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected solely by a set of linkages axially spaced from one another and each including a plurality of links connected to one another, adjacent links of said linkages being angularly disposed relative to one another such that a radial force causes relative rotation between adjacent links and plastic deformation thereof to permit radial expansion of said stent, said struts inhibiting relative axial movement between said linkages and foreshortening of said body and said struts remaining in substantially parallel relationship with said longitudinal axis upon radial expansion of said stent and wherein all of said sets of linkages are unidirectionally facing with one of said links of each linkage being offset axially from the connection of said linkage to said struts in a common direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected solely by a set of linkages axially spaced from one another and each including a plurality of links connected to one another, adjacent links of said linkages being angularly disposed relative to one another such that a radial force causes relative rotation between adjacent links and plastic deformation thereof to permit radial expansion of said stent, said struts inhibiting relative axial movement between said linkages and foreshortening of said body and said struts remaining in substantially parallel relationship with said longitudinal axis upon radial expansion of said stent and wherein all of said sets of linkages are unidirectionally facing with one of said links of each linkage being offset axially from the connection of said linkage to said struts in a common direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A stent according to claim 1 wherein each of said linkages comprises an opposing pair of first circumferentially extending links connected at one end to said struts and connected at an opposite end to axially extending links, said axially extending links being connected to each other by a second circumferentially extending link axially spaced from said first circumferentially extending links.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A stent according to claim 2 wherein the intersection of at least one pair of adjacent links of each of said linkages has a zone of relative weakness adjacent to but spaced from said intersection to provide a pair of spaced hinge points, whereby relative rotation between said at least one pair of links is distributed between said hinge points.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A stent according to claim 2 wherein said first circumferentially extending links and said axially extending links are enlarged at their intersections to provide a pair of spaced hinges at each connection thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A stent according to claim 4 wherein said axially extending links and said second circumferentially extending link are enlarged at their intersections to provide a pair of spaced hinges at each connection thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A stent according to claim 2 wherein said axially extending links are perpendicular to said first and second circumferentially extending links.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A stent according to claim 1 wherein each of said struts extends between at least two axially adjacent linkages.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A stent according to claim 7 wherein selected ones of said struts are discontinuous thereby providing a plurality of gaps along the length thereof, the axial location of said gaps being staggered about the circumference of said body whereby relative axial movement between said linkages is inhibited by struts circumferentially spaced from and axially aligned with said gaps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A stent according to claim 8 wherein said struts axially aligned with said gaps are reduced in section to facilitate flexure thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A stent according to claim 9 wherein struts having a reduced section are diametrically aligned to provide pivot axes of relative pivotal movement between said adjacent linkages.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A stent according to claim 10 wherein said pivot axes are angularly disposed relative to one another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stent according to claim 11 wherein said axes are disposed at 90° to one another.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
A stent according to claim 10 wherein said axially extending links and said first and second circumferentially extending links are enlarged at their intersections to provide pairs of spaced hinges at each connection thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
A stent according to claim 13 wherein said enlarged intersections are generally rectangular.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
184 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected by a plurality of linkages axially spaced from one another and each including a plurality of links connected to one another, adjacent links of said linkages being angularly disposed relative to one another such that a radial force causes relative rotation between adjacent links and plastic deformation thereof to permit radial expansion of said stent, said struts inhibiting relative axial movement between said linkages and foreshortening of said body wherein each of said linkages comprises an opposing pair of first circumferentially extending links connected at one end to said struts and connected at an opposite end to axially extending links, said axially extending links being connected to each other by a second circumferentially extending link axially spaced from said first circumferentially extending links, and wherein said axially extending links and said first and second circumferentially extending links are enlarged at their intersections to provide pairs of spaced hinges at each connection thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
184 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected by a plurality of linkages axially spaced from one another and each including a plurality of links connected to one another, adjacent links of said linkages being angularly disposed relative to one another such that a radial force causes relative rotation between adjacent links and plastic deformation thereof to permit radial expansion of said stent, said struts inhibiting relative axial movement between said linkages and foreshortening of said body wherein each of said linkages comprises an opposing pair of first circumferentially extending links connected at one end to said struts and connected at an opposite end to axially extending links, said axially extending links being connected to each other by a second circumferentially extending link axially spaced from said first circumferentially extending links, and wherein said axially extending links and said first and second circumferentially extending links are enlarged at their intersections to provide pairs of spaced hinges at each connection thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A stent according to claim 15 wherein said axially extending links are perpendicular to said first and second circumferentially extending links.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
A stent according to claim 16 wherein said enlarged intersections are generally rectangular.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A stent according to claim 17 wherein each of said struts extends between at least two axially adjacent linkages.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
58 words
A stent according to claim 18 wherein selected ones of said struts are discontinuous thereby providing a plurality of gaps along the length thereof, the axial location of said gaps being staggered about the circumference of said body whereby relative axial movement between said linkages is inhibited by struts circumferentially spaced from and axially aligned with said gaps.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A stent according to claim 19 wherein said struts axially aligned with said gaps are reduced in section to facilitate flexure thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
A stent according to claim 20 wherein struts having a reduced section are diametrically aligned to provide pivot axes of relative pivotal movement between said adjacent linkages.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A stent according to claim 21 wherein said pivot axes are angularly disposed relative to one another.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stent according to claim 22 wherein said axes are disposed at 90° to one another.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
197 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending along the entire length of and parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected by a plurality of linkages axially spaced from one another and each including a plurality of links connected to one another, adjacent links of said linkages being angularly disposed relative to one another such that a radial force causes relative rotation between adjacent links and plastic deformation thereof to permit radial expansion of said stent, said struts inhibiting relative axial movement between said linkages and foreshortening of said body, wherein selected ones of said struts are discontinuous thereby providing a plurality of gaps along the length thereof, the axial location of said gaps being staggered about the circumference of said body whereby relative axial movement between said linkages is inhibited by struts circumferentially spaced from and axially aligned with said gaps, and wherein selected ones of said struts have a reduced cross-section and are arranged such that a gap and a strut with a reduced cross-section lie in a common plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said body.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
197 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending along the entire length of and parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected by a plurality of linkages axially spaced from one another and each including a plurality of links connected to one another, adjacent links of said linkages being angularly disposed relative to one another such that a radial force causes relative rotation between adjacent links and plastic deformation thereof to permit radial expansion of said stent, said struts inhibiting relative axial movement between said linkages and foreshortening of said body, wherein selected ones of said struts are discontinuous thereby providing a plurality of gaps along the length thereof, the axial location of said gaps being staggered about the circumference of said body whereby relative axial movement between said linkages is inhibited by struts circumferentially spaced from and axially aligned with said gaps, and wherein selected ones of said struts have a reduced cross-section and are arranged such that a gap and a strut with a reduced cross-section lie in a common plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of said body.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
A stent according to claim 24 wherein struts having a reduced section are diametrically aligned to provide pivot axes of relative pivotal movement between said adjacent linkages.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
A stent according to claim 25 wherein said pivot axes are angularly disposed relative to one another.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stent according to claim 26 wherein said axes are disposed at 90° to one another.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
60 words
A stent according to claim 27 wherein each of said linkages comprises an opposing pair of first circumferentially extending links connected at one end to said struts and connected at an opposite end to axially extending links, said axially extending links being connected to each other by a second circumferentially extending link axially spaced from said first circumferentially extending links.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
A stent according to claim 28 wherein said axially extending links and said first and second circumferentially extending links are enlarged at their intersections to provide pairs of spaced hinges at each connection thereof.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
A stent according to claim 29 wherein each of said struts extends between at least two axially adjacent linkages.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
A stent according to claim 30 wherein said axially extending links are perpendicular to said first and second circumferentially extending links.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
13 words
A stent according to claim 31 wherein said enlarged intersections are generally rectangular.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
172 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected by a plurality of linkages axially spaced from one another and each including a plurality of links connected to one another, adjacent links of said linkages being angularly disposed relative to one another such that a radial force causes relative rotation between adjacent links and plastic deformation thereof to permit radial expansion of said stent, said struts inhibiting relative axial movement between said linkages and foreshortening of said body and said struts remaining in parallel relationship with said longitudinal axis upon radial expansion of said stent and wherein the intersection of at least one pair of adjacent links of each said linkages has a zone of relative weakness adjacent to but spaced from said intersection to provide a pair of spaced hinge points, whereby relative rotation between said at least one pair of links is distributed between said hinge points.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
172 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected by a plurality of linkages axially spaced from one another and each including a plurality of links connected to one another, adjacent links of said linkages being angularly disposed relative to one another such that a radial force causes relative rotation between adjacent links and plastic deformation thereof to permit radial expansion of said stent, said struts inhibiting relative axial movement between said linkages and foreshortening of said body and said struts remaining in parallel relationship with said longitudinal axis upon radial expansion of said stent and wherein the intersection of at least one pair of adjacent links of each said linkages has a zone of relative weakness adjacent to but spaced from said intersection to provide a pair of spaced hinge points, whereby relative rotation between said at least one pair of links is distributed between said hinge points.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
21 words
A stent as claimed in claim 33 wherein said intersection of at least one pair of links comprises an enlarged node.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
13 words
A stent as claimed in claim 34 wherein said enlarged node is rectangular.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
181 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected by a plurality of linkages axially spaced from one another and each including a plurality of links connected to one another, adjacent links of said linkages being angularly disposed relative to one another such that a radial force causes relative rotation between adjacent links and plastic deformation thereof to permit radial expansion of said stent, said struts inhibiting relative axial movement between said linkages and foreshortening of said body, wherein selected ones of said struts are discontinuous thereby providing a plurality of gaps along the length thereof, the axial location of said gaps being staggered about the circumference of said body whereby relative axial movement between said linkages is inhibited by struts circumferentially spaced from and axially aligned with said gaps, and wherein said gaps are configured to provide only a pair of diametrically aligned struts at selected ones of said axial locations to facilitate flexure of said stent.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
181 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected by a plurality of linkages axially spaced from one another and each including a plurality of links connected to one another, adjacent links of said linkages being angularly disposed relative to one another such that a radial force causes relative rotation between adjacent links and plastic deformation thereof to permit radial expansion of said stent, said struts inhibiting relative axial movement between said linkages and foreshortening of said body, wherein selected ones of said struts are discontinuous thereby providing a plurality of gaps along the length thereof, the axial location of said gaps being staggered about the circumference of said body whereby relative axial movement between said linkages is inhibited by struts circumferentially spaced from and axially aligned with said gaps, and wherein said gaps are configured to provide only a pair of diametrically aligned struts at selected ones of said axial locations to facilitate flexure of said stent.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
A stent as claimed in claim 36 wherein said pairs of diametrically aligned struts provide pivot axes of relative pivotal movement between said adjacent linkages.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
A stent according to claim 37 wherein said pivot axes are angularly disposed relative to one another.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stent according to claim 38 wherein said axes are disposed at 90° to one another.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
16 words
A stent as claimed in claim 39 wherein said diametrically aligned struts are reduced in section.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
133 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected solely by a set of linkages axially spaced from one another and defining a predetermined space between adjacent pairs of said struts, all of said sets of linkages being unidirectionally facing and each having a plurality of links angularly disposed relative to one another in an unexpanded condition such that when a radial force is exerted on said tubular body, relative rotation between adjacent links and plastic deformation occurs, thereby increasing said space between said adjacent pairs of sad struts and permitting radial expansion of said stent, said struts inhibiting relative axial movement between said linkages and foreshortening of said body.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
133 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected solely by a set of linkages axially spaced from one another and defining a predetermined space between adjacent pairs of said struts, all of said sets of linkages being unidirectionally facing and each having a plurality of links angularly disposed relative to one another in an unexpanded condition such that when a radial force is exerted on said tubular body, relative rotation between adjacent links and plastic deformation occurs, thereby increasing said space between said adjacent pairs of sad struts and permitting radial expansion of said stent, said struts inhibiting relative axial movement between said linkages and foreshortening of said body.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
36 words
A stent according to claim 41 wherein each of said linkages includes hinge points spaced apart along said linkage, said hinge points deforming upon radial expansion of said stent to facilitate relative rotation of said links.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
A stent according to claim 42 wherein said hinge points are provided by zones of relative weakness along said links.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
20 words
A stent according to claim 43 wherein said zones of relative weakness are located adjacent an intersection of adjacent links.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
37 words
A stent according to claim 44 wherein said linkage includes a pair of spaced axial links connected at one end to respective ones of said struts and interconnected at an opposite end by a first circumferential link.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
20 words
A stent according to claim 45 wherein said axial links are perpendicular to said circumferential link in said unexpanded condition.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
A stent according to claim 46 wherein said axial links are connected to respective ones of said struts by second circumferential links.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
32 words
A stent according to claim 45 wherein said first circumferential link and said axial links intersect at an enlarged node to provide a pair of spaced hinge points adjacent to said node.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
34 words
A stent according to claim 45 wherein opposite ends of said axial link are connected to adjacent links by an enlarged node to provide a pair of spaced hinge points on said axial link.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
37 words
A stent according to claim 45 wherein said first circumferential link is connected at opposite ends to respective axial links by an enlarged node to provide a pair of spaced hinge points on said first circumferential link.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
136 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected by a plurality of linkages, each of said linkages having a plurality of links angularly disposed relative to one another and including a pair of axially extending links connected to respective ones of said struts and interconnected to one another at a location spaced axially from their respective connections to said struts, said linkage including at least a pair of links having a portion of reduced cross-section to provide at least three hinge points spaced apart along said linkage and disposed to permit rotation of each of said axially extending links relative to said struts upon application of a radial load to said stent.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
136 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected by a plurality of linkages, each of said linkages having a plurality of links angularly disposed relative to one another and including a pair of axially extending links connected to respective ones of said struts and interconnected to one another at a location spaced axially from their respective connections to said struts, said linkage including at least a pair of links having a portion of reduced cross-section to provide at least three hinge points spaced apart along said linkage and disposed to permit rotation of each of said axially extending links relative to said struts upon application of a radial load to said stent.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
18 words
A stent according to claim 51 wherein said axially extending links are interconnected by a circumferentially extending link.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
34 words
A stent according to claim 52 wherein said circumferentially extending link has a portion of reduced cross-section to provide a pair of circumferentially spaced hinge points adjacent to respective ones of said axial links.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
28 words
A stent according to claim 51 wherein said axially extending links are connected to respective ones of said struts by one of a pair of circumferentially extending links.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
18 words
A stent according to claim 54 wherein said axially extending links are interconnected by a circumferentially extending link.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
34 words
A stent according to claim 55 wherein each of said circumferentially extending links includes a portion of reduced cross-section to provide a pair of spaced hinge points on each of said circumferentially spaced links.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
19 words
A stent according to claim 56 wherein each of said axially extending links includes a portion of reduced cross-section.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
139 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected by a plurality of linkages, each of said linkages having a plurality of links angularly disposed relative to one another and including a pair of axially extending links connected to respective ones of said struts and interconnected to one another by a circumferentially extending link, at least a portion of said circumferentially extending link having a reduced cross-section to provide a pair of circumferentially spaced hinge points which, in conjunction with an additional pair of hinge points disposed on said linkage, permit rotation of said axially extending links relative to said circumferentially extending link upon application of a radial load to said body to expand said body.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
139 words
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected by a plurality of linkages, each of said linkages having a plurality of links angularly disposed relative to one another and including a pair of axially extending links connected to respective ones of said struts and interconnected to one another by a circumferentially extending link, at least a portion of said circumferentially extending link having a reduced cross-section to provide a pair of circumferentially spaced hinge points which, in conjunction with an additional pair of hinge points disposed on said linkage, permit rotation of said axially extending links relative to said circumferentially extending link upon application of a radial load to said body to expand said body.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
23 words
A stent according to claim 58 wherein said additional pair of hinge points is located on respective ones of said axially extending links.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
22 words
A stent according to claim 59 wherein each of said axially extending links has a pair of spaced hinge points formed thereon.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
26 words
A stent according to claim 58 wherein said hinge points plastically deform upon application of a radial load to maintain said body in an expanded condition.
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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) | 2001-07-06 | 2002-01-05 | 2002-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-07-06 | 2006-01-05 | 2006-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-07-06 | 2010-01-05 | 2010-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |