Expandable stent with sliding and locking radial elements
AssigneeMD3, Inc.
InventorsThomas A. Steinke, Donald H. Koenig
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a lumen support stent with a clear through-lumen for use in a body lumen. The stent is formed from at least one series of sliding and locking radial elements and at least one ratcheting mechanism comprising an articulating element and a plurality of stops. The ratcheting mechanism permits one-way sliding of the radial elements from a collapsed diameter to an expanded diameter, but inhibits radial recoil from the expanded diameter.
Claims35
An expandable intraluminal stent, comprising:
- a tubular member comprising a clear through-lumen, and having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal length defined therebetween, a circumference, and a diameter which is adjustable between at least a first collapsed diameter and at least a second expanded diameter, said tubular member comprising:
- at least one module comprising a series of sliding and locking radial elements, wherein each radial element defines a portion of the circumference of the tubular member and wherein no radial element overlaps with itself in either the first collapsed diameter or the second expanded diameter;
- and
- at least one articulating mechanism which permits one-way sliding of the radial elements from the first collapsed diameter to the second expanded diameter, but inhibits radial recoil from the second expanded diameter.
An expandable intraluminal stent, comprising:
- a tubular member comprising a clear through-lumen and a diameter which is adjustable between at least a first collapsed diameter and at least a second expanded diameter, said tubular member comprising:
- a series of sliding and locking radial elements made from a degradable material, wherein each radial element in the series defines a portion of the circumference of the tubular member and wherein no radial element overlaps itself;
- and
- at least one articulating mechanism which permits one-way sliding of the radial elements from the first collapsed diameter to the second expanded diameter, but inhibits radial recoil from the second expanded diameter.
An expandable intraluminal stent, comprising a tubular member having a wall and a clear through-lumen, said tubular member comprising a series of sliding and locking radial elements which do not overlap with themselves, said radial elements comprising a ratcheting mechanism that permits one-way sliding of the radial elements from a first collapsed diameter to a second expanded diameter, wherein the tubular member has a stiffness of less than about 0.01 Newtons force/millimeter deflection and said wall has a thickness of less than about 0.006 inches when the tubular member is in either the first collapsed diameter or the second expanded diameter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.