US6716240B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Stent having a multiplicity of undulating longitudinals
Assignee: Cordis US Corp
•
Filing: 2003-01-16
•
Granted: 2004-04-06
•
Expires: 2023-01-16
Abstract
Abstract A stent which is adapted for placement in the vessels of a human body is provided. The stent may be in the form of a thin-walled metal cylinder having a longitudinal axis. The stent has a proximal end and a distal end and includes a number of circumferentially relatively rigid portions. The relatively rigid portions are joined to each other by one or more longitudinals which extend in a substantially longitudinal direction. At least a portion of at least one of the longitudinals has an undulating shape where a first relatively rigid portion is located at the proximal end of the stent and a second relatively rigid portion is located at the distal end of the stent.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert E. Fischell
- 👤 David R. Fischell
- 👤 Tim A. Fischell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:41
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/82; A61F2/844; A61F2/86; A61F2/90; A61F2/91; A61F2/915; A61F2002/825; A61F2002/91533; A61F2002/9155; A61F2210/00; A61F2210/0014; A61F2210/0019
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 75
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A stent adapted for placement in the vessels of the human body, said stent comprising: a thin-walled metal cylinder having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end including a plurality of circumferentially relatively rigid portions, the relatively rigid portions being joined one to the other by one or more longitudinals extending in a substantially longitudinal direction, at least a portion of at least one of said longitudinals having an undulating shape wherein a first relatively rigid portion is located at the proximal end of the stent and a second relatively rigid portion is located at the distal end of the stent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A stent adapted for placement in the vessels of the human body, said stent comprising: a thin-walled metal cylinder having a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end including a plurality of circumferentially relatively rigid portions, the relatively rigid portions being joined one to the other by one or more longitudinals extending in a substantially longitudinal direction, at least a portion of at least one of said longitudinals having an undulating shape wherein a first relatively rigid portion is located at the proximal end of the stent and a second relatively rigid portion is located at the distal end of the stent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
The stent as recited in claim 1 where at least one of said circumferentially relatively rigid portions defines a frame element having a substantially circumferential contour extending around said longitudinal axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The stent as recited in claim 2 where said at least one relatively rigid portion has a zig-zag contour extending throughout at least a portion of the circumferential extension of the relatively rigid portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stent as recited in claim 1 where said at least one relatively rigid portion forms a circumferentially directed frame element.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The stent as recited in claim 2 where at least one of the said longitudinals is fixedly coupled to at least two longitudinally displaced frame elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The stent as recited in claim 2 where at least one of said longitudinals includes at least one undulating section and at least one substantially linearly directed section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The stent as recited in claim 6 where at least one of said longitudinals includes a pair of substantially linearly directed sections formed integrally with and on opposing sides of said at least one undulating section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
83 words
A stent having a longitudinal axis, comprising: (a) a frame having a plurality of frame elements extending around said longitudinal axis of said stent, at least one of said frame elements having a circumferential contour extending at least partially external to a cross-sectional plane normal to said longitudinal axis; and, (b) a multiplicity of structures coupled to said frame, forming longitudinals and extending in a substantially longitudinal direction, at least a portion of at least one of said longitudinals having an undulating contour.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
A stent having a longitudinal axis, comprising: (a) a frame having a plurality of frame elements extending around said longitudinal axis of said stent, at least one of said frame elements having a circumferential contour extending at least partially external to a cross-sectional plane normal to said longitudinal axis; and, (b) a multiplicity of structures coupled to said frame, forming longitudinals and extending in a substantially longitudinal direction, at least a portion of at least one of said longitudinals having an undulating contour.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The stent as recited in claim 8 where at least one of said longitudinals is fixedly coupled to at least two longitudinally displaced frame elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The stent as recited in claim 8 where at least one of said longitudinals includes at least one undulating section and at least one substantially linearly directed section.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The stent as recited in claim 10 where at lest one of said longitudinals includes a pair of linearly directed sections formed integrally with and on opposing sides of said undulating section.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The stent as recited in claim 11 where each of said linearly directed sections is joined respectively to a pair of consecutively positioned and longitudinally displaced frame elements.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The stent as recited in claim 8 where at least one of said frame elements is formed in closed contour around said longitudinal axis of said stent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stent as recited in claim 8 where said frame and said longitudinals are formed from a thin-walled metal cylinder.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The stent as recited in claim 8 where at least one of said frame elements has at least one apex section, said at least one of said longitudinals being joined to said at least one of said frame elements at said apex section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The stent as recited in claim 8 where at least two of said frame elements have a radiopacity value different than a radiopacity value of other frame elements forming said frame.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stent as recited in claim 8 where said stent structure is formed from a metal having a shape memory characteristic.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stent as recited in claim 8 where said frame is geometrically defined as a cylindrical envelope.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
104 words
A stent having a longitudinal axis, comprising: at least two longitudinal structures each having at least one straight section and at least one undulating section, with each said straight section being joined to said at least one undulating section, the straight sections of all of the longitudinal structures being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent, the undulating section of each longitudinal structure extending generally in a circumferential direction and being of a generally curved shape so as to allow each undulating longitudinal structure to readily change length during insertion of the stent structure into a curved vessel of a human body.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
104 words
A stent having a longitudinal axis, comprising: at least two longitudinal structures each having at least one straight section and at least one undulating section, with each said straight section being joined to said at least one undulating section, the straight sections of all of the longitudinal structures being generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent, the undulating section of each longitudinal structure extending generally in a circumferential direction and being of a generally curved shape so as to allow each undulating longitudinal structure to readily change length during insertion of the stent structure into a curved vessel of a human body.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
79 words
A stent comprising: a plurality of longitudinal struts arranged circumferentially around said stent, said longitudinal struts having one or more undulating sections, each undulating section having a generally curved shape and having a first end point and a second end point wherein a line drawn from the first end point to the second end point is generally parallel to the stent's longitudinal axis, said longitudinals connected by a circumferentially extending structure configured to provide radial support to said stent.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
79 words
A stent comprising: a plurality of longitudinal struts arranged circumferentially around said stent, said longitudinal struts having one or more undulating sections, each undulating section having a generally curved shape and having a first end point and a second end point wherein a line drawn from the first end point to the second end point is generally parallel to the stent's longitudinal axis, said longitudinals connected by a circumferentially extending structure configured to provide radial support to said stent.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
123 words
A generally cylindrical stent having a circumference and a longitudinal axis, said stent having sufficient flexibility to permit said stent to be delivered percutaneously to curved coronary arteries, comprising: a plurality of circumferential elements, each of said circumferential elements extending around the circumference of the stent, and a plurality of connecting elements, each of said connecting elements having a first end and a second end, with the first end being fixedly connected to a first of said circumferential elements and the second end being fixedly connected to a circumferential element adjacent to said first circumferential element, where at least one of said connecting elements has an undulating section that can expand and contract in length while being passed through a curved coronary artery.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
123 words
A generally cylindrical stent having a circumference and a longitudinal axis, said stent having sufficient flexibility to permit said stent to be delivered percutaneously to curved coronary arteries, comprising: a plurality of circumferential elements, each of said circumferential elements extending around the circumference of the stent, and a plurality of connecting elements, each of said connecting elements having a first end and a second end, with the first end being fixedly connected to a first of said circumferential elements and the second end being fixedly connected to a circumferential element adjacent to said first circumferential element, where at least one of said connecting elements has an undulating section that can expand and contract in length while being passed through a curved coronary artery.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The stent of claim 21 where a line drawn from the first end of at least one connecting element to the second end of said at least one connecting element is substantially parallel to the stent's longitudinal axis.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The stent of claim 21 where at least one of said circumferential elements is formed integral with at least one of said connecting elements.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stent of claim 21 where the stent is formed as an integral structure from a single piece of metal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stent of claim 21 where the stent is formed as an integral structure from a pre-existing metal tube.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The stent of claim 21 where each of said circumferential elements has at least two peaks and at least two valleys when the stent is in its pre-deployed shape.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
44 words
The stent of claim 26 wherein the first end of at least one of said connecting elements is connected to a peak of one circumferential element and the second end of said connecting element is connected to a valley of an adjacent circumferential element.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stent of claim 26 where each of said peaks and valleys are oriented along the longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
The stent of claim 21 where at least one of said connecting elements is straight and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stent of claim 21 including at least two connecting elements connecting adjacent circumferential elements.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
157 words
A generally cylindrical stent having a circumference and a longitudinal axis, said stent having sufficient flexibility to permit said stent to be delivered percutaneously to curved coronary arteries, comprising: a plurality of circumferential elements, each of said circumferential elements extending around the circumference of the stent, and a plurality of connecting elements, each of said connecting elements having a first end and a second end, with the first end being fixedly connected to a first of said circumferential elements and the second end being fixedly connected to a circumferential element adjacent to said first circumferential element, whereby a line drawn from the first end of at least one connecting element to the second end of said at least one connecting element is substantially parallel to the stent's longitudinal axis and where at least one of said connecting elements has an undulating section that can expand and contract in length while being passed through a curved coronary artery.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
157 words
A generally cylindrical stent having a circumference and a longitudinal axis, said stent having sufficient flexibility to permit said stent to be delivered percutaneously to curved coronary arteries, comprising: a plurality of circumferential elements, each of said circumferential elements extending around the circumference of the stent, and a plurality of connecting elements, each of said connecting elements having a first end and a second end, with the first end being fixedly connected to a first of said circumferential elements and the second end being fixedly connected to a circumferential element adjacent to said first circumferential element, whereby a line drawn from the first end of at least one connecting element to the second end of said at least one connecting element is substantially parallel to the stent's longitudinal axis and where at least one of said connecting elements has an undulating section that can expand and contract in length while being passed through a curved coronary artery.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The stent of claim 31 where at least one of said circumferential elements is formed integral with at least one of said connecting elements.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stent of claim 31 where the stent is formed as an integral structure from a single piece of metal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stent of claim 31 where the stent is formed as an integral structure from a pre-existing metal tube.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
The stent of claim 31 where each of said circumferential elements has at least two peaks and at least two valleys when the stent is in its pre-deployed shape.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
44 words
The stent of claim 35 wherein the first end of at least one of said connecting elements is connected to a peak of one circumferential element and the second end of said connecting element is connected to a valley of an adjacent circumferential element.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stent of claim 36 where each of said peaks and valleys are oriented along the longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The stent of claim 31 where at least one of said connecting elements is straight and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stent of claim 31 including at least two connecting elements connecting adjacent circumferential elements.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
143 words
A generally cylindrical stent having a circumference and a longitudinal axis, said stent having sufficient flexibility to permit said stent to be delivered percutaneously to curved coronary arteries, comprising: a plurality of circumferential elements, each of said circumferential elements extending around the circumference of the stent, and a plurality of connecting elements, each of said connecting elements having a first end and a second end, with the first end being fixedly connected to a first of said circumferential elements and the second end being fixedly connected to a circumferential element adjacent to said first circumferential element, where at least one of said circumferential elements is formed integral with at least one of said connect elements and where at least one of said connecting elements has an undulating section that can expand and contract in length while being passed through a curved coronary artery.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
143 words
A generally cylindrical stent having a circumference and a longitudinal axis, said stent having sufficient flexibility to permit said stent to be delivered percutaneously to curved coronary arteries, comprising: a plurality of circumferential elements, each of said circumferential elements extending around the circumference of the stent, and a plurality of connecting elements, each of said connecting elements having a first end and a second end, with the first end being fixedly connected to a first of said circumferential elements and the second end being fixedly connected to a circumferential element adjacent to said first circumferential element, where at least one of said circumferential elements is formed integral with at least one of said connect elements and where at least one of said connecting elements has an undulating section that can expand and contract in length while being passed through a curved coronary artery.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
The stent of claim 40 where a line drawn from the first end of at least one connecting element to the second end of said at least one connecting element is substantially parallel to the stent's longitudinal axis.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stent of claim 40 where the stent is formed as an integral structure from a single piece of metal.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stent of claim 40 where the stent is formed as an integral structure from a pre-existing metal tube.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
29 words
The stent of claim 40 where each of said circumferential elements has at least two peaks and at least two valleys when the stent is in its pre-deployed shape.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
44 words
The stent of claim 44 wherein the first end of at least one of said connecting elements is connected to a peak of one circumferential element and the second end of said connecting element is connected to a valley of an adjacent circumferential element.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stent of claim 44 where each of said peaks and valleys are oriented along the longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
The stent of claim 40 where at least one of said connecting elements is straight and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stent of claim 40 including at least two connecting elements connecting adjacent circumferential elements.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
147 words
A generally cylindrical stent having a circumference and a longitudinal axis, said stent having sufficient flexibility to permit said stent to be delivered percutaneously to curved coronary arteries, comprising: a plurality of circumferential elements where each of said circumferential elements has at least two peaks and at least two valleys when the stent is in a pre-deployed state, each of said circumferential elements extending around the circumference of the stent, and a plurality of connecting elements, each of said connecting elements having a first end and a second end, with the first end being fixedly connected to a first of said circumferential elements and the second end being fixedly connected to a circumferential element adjacent to said first circumferential element, where at least one of said connecting elements has an undulating section that can expand and contract in length while being passed through a curved coronary artery.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
147 words
A generally cylindrical stent having a circumference and a longitudinal axis, said stent having sufficient flexibility to permit said stent to be delivered percutaneously to curved coronary arteries, comprising: a plurality of circumferential elements where each of said circumferential elements has at least two peaks and at least two valleys when the stent is in a pre-deployed state, each of said circumferential elements extending around the circumference of the stent, and a plurality of connecting elements, each of said connecting elements having a first end and a second end, with the first end being fixedly connected to a first of said circumferential elements and the second end being fixedly connected to a circumferential element adjacent to said first circumferential element, where at least one of said connecting elements has an undulating section that can expand and contract in length while being passed through a curved coronary artery.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
38 words
The stent of claim 49 where a line drawn from the first end of at least one connecting element to the second end of said at least one connecting element is substantially parallel to the stent's longitudinal axis.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
24 words
The stent of claim 49 where at least one of said circumferential elements is formed integral with at least one of said connecting elements.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stent of claim 49 where the stent is formed as an integral structure from a single piece of metal.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stent of claim 49 where the stent is formed as an integral structure from a pre-existing metal tube.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
44 words
The stent of claim 49 wherein the first end of at least one of said connecting elements is connected to a peak of one circumferential element and the second end of said connecting element is connected to a valley of an adjacent circumferential element.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stent of claim 49 where each of said peaks and valleys are oriented along the longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
24 words
The stent of claim 49 where at least one of said connecting elements is straight and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stent of claim 49 including at least two connecting elements connecting adjacent cumferential elements.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
136 words
A generally cylindrical stent having a circumference and a longitudinal axis, said stent having sufficient flexibility to permit said stent to be delivered percutaneously to curved coronary arteries, comprising: a plurality of circumferential elements, each of said circumferential elements extending around the circumference of the stent, and a plurality of connecting elements, each of said connecting elements having a first end and a second end, with the first end being fixedly connected to a first of said circumferential elements and the second end being fixedly connected to a circumferential element adjacent to said first circumferential element, where at least two of said connecting elements connect adjacent circumferential elements and where at least one of said connecting elements has an undulating section that can expand and contract in length while being passed through a curved coronary artery.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
136 words
A generally cylindrical stent having a circumference and a longitudinal axis, said stent having sufficient flexibility to permit said stent to be delivered percutaneously to curved coronary arteries, comprising: a plurality of circumferential elements, each of said circumferential elements extending around the circumference of the stent, and a plurality of connecting elements, each of said connecting elements having a first end and a second end, with the first end being fixedly connected to a first of said circumferential elements and the second end being fixedly connected to a circumferential element adjacent to said first circumferential element, where at least two of said connecting elements connect adjacent circumferential elements and where at least one of said connecting elements has an undulating section that can expand and contract in length while being passed through a curved coronary artery.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
38 words
The stent of claim 58 where a line drawn from the first end of at least one connecting element to the second end of said at least one connecting element is substantially parallel to the stent's longitudinal axis.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
24 words
The stent of claim 58 where at least one of said circumferential elements is formed integral with at least one of said connecting elements.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stent of claim 58 where the stent is formed as an integral structure from a single piece of metal.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stent of claim 58 where the stent is formed as an integral structure from a preexisting metal tube.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
29 words
The stent of claim 58 where each of said circumferential elements has at least two peaks and at least two valleys when the stent is in its pre-deployed shape.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
44 words
The stent of claim 63 wherein the first end of at least one of said connecting elements is connected to a peak of one circumferential element and the second end of said connecting element is connected to a valley of an adjacent circumferential element.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stent of claim 63 where each of said peaks and valleys are oriented along the longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
24 words
The stent of claim 58 where at least one of said connecting elements is straight and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent.
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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) | 2007-04-06 | 2007-10-06 | 2008-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-06 | 2011-10-06 | 2012-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-06 | 2015-10-06 | 2016-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |