Stent having adjacent elements connected by narrow flexible webs
AssigneeW. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
InventorsRyan D. Kariniemi, Jeffrey J. Kustusch, Mark J. Ulm
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A stent and method of making incorporating flexible, preferably polymeric, connecting elements into the stent wherein these elements connect element(s) across an intervening space. The polymeric connecting elements are designed to fold within the space between the outer diameter of the stent and the inner diameter of the stent.
Claims20
A method of manufacturing an endoprosthesis having an inner circumference and an outer circumference, the method comprising:
- applying a cover to a stent, the stent including a plurality of adjacent stent elements;
- and
- forming a plurality of apertures in the cover, such that the cover defines a plurality of polymeric flexible connecting elements that each span across a space between adjacent stent elements, each of the polymeric flexible connecting elements having a section modulus (Mr) in a direction aligned with the radius of the endoprosthesis and a section modulus (Mp) aligned in a direction perpendicular to the radius of the endoprosthesis, wherein Mr/Mp>0.2 such that each of the plurality of polymeric flexible connecting elements is configured to fold in plane in relation to the inner circumference and the outer circumference of the endoprosthesis when the endoprosthesis is compacted longitudinally.
A method of manufacturing an endoprosthesis, the method comprising:
- applying a cover to a stent, the stent including a plurality of adjacent stent elements;
- and
- forming a plurality of apertures in the cover between the plurality of stent elements such that the endoprosthesis defines an open area of at least 50% and forms a plurality of polymeric flexible connecting elements interconnecting adjacent stent elements to limit longitudinal extension of the stent, each of the polymeric flexible connecting elements having a section modulus (Mr) in a direction aligned with a radius of the endoprosthesis and a section modulus (Mp) aligned in a direction perpendicular to the radius of the endoprosthesis, wherein Mr/Mp>0.2 such that each of the plurality of polymeric flexible connecting elements is configured to fold in plane in relation to an inner circumference and an outer circumference of the endoprosthesis when the endoprosthesis is compacted longitudinally.
A method of manufacturing an endoprosthesis, the method comprising:
- attaching a cover over a plurality of stent elements to temporarily create a stent-graft;
- and
- forming apertures in the cover between the stent elements to define a plurality of polymeric flexible connecting elements having a section modulus (Mr) in a direction aligned with a radius of the endoprosthesis and a section modulus (Mp) aligned in a direction perpendicular to the radius of the endoprosthesis, wherein Mr/Mp>0.2 such that each of the plurality of polymeric flexible connecting elements is configured to fold in plane in relation to the endoprosthesis when the endoprosthesis is compacted longitudinally and the endoprosthesis defines an open area between stent elements of at least 50%.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.