Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A self-expanding stent comprising: a wire bent into an elongated zigzag pattern having a plurality of bends; said zigzag pattern being helically wound about a central axis to define a tubular shape such that a majority of said plurality of bends are disposed in a helix; means for interconnecting adjacent bends of said helix; and said stent having a radially compressed state such that said bends are tightly packed around said central axis, whereby said stent resiliently self-expands to assume said tubular shape when released from said compressed state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A self-expanding stent comprising: a wire bent into an elongated zigzag pattern having a plurality of bends; said zigzag pattern being helically wound about a central axis to define a tubular shape such that a majority of said plurality of bends are disposed in a helix; means for interconnecting adjacent bends of said helix; and said stent having a radially compressed state such that said bends are tightly packed around said central axis, whereby said stent resiliently self-expands to assume said tubular shape when released from said compressed state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 1 wherein said means for interconnecting is a filament, said filament preventing said stent from expanding beyond a tubular shape of predetermined size.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 2 wherein said stent has two ends, each said end being defined by a plurality of end bends, adjacent said end bends being interconnected by a filament.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 3 wherein each of said plurality of bends is bent to include an eye portion, said filament being tied to each said eye portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 4 wherein at least two of said eye portions are closed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 5 wherein said wire has first and second ends each formed into defining a closed eye portion, said first and second ends being disposed in said helix and interconnected to two adjacent said bends in said helix.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 2 wherein said wire has first and second ends, each being soldered to a different one of said plurality of straight wire sections.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 1 wherein said tubular shape defines a length and a diameter that varies along said length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The self expanding stent of claim 1 further comprising a flexible sleeve open at both ends and attached to said stent, said flexible sleeve being supported by said stent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The self expanding stent of claim 1 wherein each of said bends disposed in said helix defines an angle, and a bisector of each said angle is substantially parallel to said central axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
A self-expanding stent comprising: a wire bent into an elongated zigzag pattern having a plurality of bends; said zigzag pattern being helically wound about a central axis to define a tubular shape such that a majority of said plurality of bends are disposed in a helix; means for interconnecting adjacent bends of said helix; and said stent having a radially compressed state such that said bends are tightly packed around said central axis, whereby said stent self-expands to assume said tubular shape when released from said compressed state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
A self-expanding stent comprising: a wire bent into an elongated zigzag pattern having a plurality of bends; said zigzag pattern being helically wound about a central axis to define a tubular shape such that a majority of said plurality of bends are disposed in a helix; means for interconnecting adjacent bends of said helix; and said stent having a radially compressed state such that said bends are tightly packed around said central axis, whereby said stent self-expands to assume said tubular shape when released from said compressed state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 11 wherein said means for interconnecting is a filament, said filament interconnecting at least two adjacent bends of said helix.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 12 wherein said stent has two ends, each said end being defined by a plurality of end bends, adjacent said end bends being interconnected by a filament.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 13 wherein each of said plurality of bends is bent to include an eye portion, said filament being tied to each said eye portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 14 wherein at least two of said eye portions are closed.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 15 wherein said wire has first and second ends each formed into a closed eye portion, said first and second ends being disposed in said helix and interconnected to two adjacent said bends in said helix.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 11 wherein said zigzag pattern includes a plurality of substantially straight wire sections separating said plurality of bends.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 11 wherein said tubular shape defines a length and a diameter that varies along said length.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 11 further comprising a flexible sleeve open at both ends and attached to said stent, said flexible sleeve being supported by said stent.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 17 wherein each of said bends disposed in said helix defines an angle, and a bisector of each said angle is substantially parallel to said central axis.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 17 wherein said wire has first and second ends, each being soldered to a different one of said plurality of straight wire sections.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
90 words
A self-expanding stent comprising: a wire bent into an elongated zigzag pattern having a plurality of bends; said zigzag pattern being helically wound about a central axis to define a tubular shape such that a majority of said plurality of bends are disposed in a helix; a filament interconnecting at least two adjacent bends of said helix; said stent having a radially compressed state such that said bends are tightly packed around said central axis, whereby said stent self-expands to assume said tubular shape when released from said compressed state.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
90 words
A self-expanding stent comprising: a wire bent into an elongated zigzag pattern having a plurality of bends; said zigzag pattern being helically wound about a central axis to define a tubular shape such that a majority of said plurality of bends are disposed in a helix; a filament interconnecting at least two adjacent bends of said helix; said stent having a radially compressed state such that said bends are tightly packed around said central axis, whereby said stent self-expands to assume said tubular shape when released from said compressed state.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 21 further comprising: a flexible sleeve open at both ends and attached to said stent, said flexible sleeve being supported by said stent.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The self-expanding stent of claim 22 wherein said zig-zag pattern includes a plurality of substantially straight wire sections separating said plurality of bends.