Dynamic stent
OwnerJames Moore, Michael Morenoinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stent (100) including a support frame (106) for supporting a vessel in a non-collapsed state is disclosed. The support frame (106) includes a degradable component (102) for at least initially supporting the vessel in the non-collapsed state when the stent (100) is first implanted in the vessel. The degradable component (102) is degradable after implantation such that support provided by the degradable component (102) decreases a selected amount after a predetermined time after implantation. The support frame (106) may further include a durable component (104) which is resistant to degradation such that support provided by the durable component (104) remains substantially constant after implantation.
Claims29
A stent comprising:
- a support frame for supporting a vessel in a non-collapsed state, the support frame including;
- (a) a degradable component for at least initially supporting the vessel in the non-collapsed state when the stent is first implanted in the vessel, the degradable component degradable after implantation such that support provided by the degradable component decreases a selected amount after a predetermined time after implantation;
- and
- (b) a durable component for supporting the vessel in the non-collapsed state, the durable component resistant to degradation over time such that support provided by the durable component remains substantially constant after implantation.
A stent for supporting a vessel in a non-collapsed state comprising:
- (a) a plurality of durable struts for supporting the vessel in the non-collapsed state;
- and
- (b) a plurality of temporary struts for initially aiding in the support of the vessel in the non-collapsed state, wherein the temporary struts break down over time after implantation such that they no longer substantially aid in supporting the vessel in the non-collapsed state.
A stent for supporting a vessel in a non-collapsed state comprising:
- a support frame having a durable component and a degradable component, the support frame providing a variable level of support for supporting the vessel in the non-collapsed state, wherein upon implantation, the support frame initially provides a predetermined amount of support for supporting the vessel in the non-collapsed state, and wherein the support frame changes due to exposure to environmental conditions after implantation such that after passage of a selected duration, the support frame provides a selected lessened amount of support for supporting the vessel in the non-collapsed state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.