Intraluminal device with improved tapered beams
AssigneeCook Medical Technologies LLC
InventorsBlayne A. Roeder, Alan R. Leewood
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A strut, or beam, is provided for intraluminal devices. Strain which is introduced into a stent or other intraluminal device is distributed more evenly along the length of the improved strut by maintaining a substantially constant strain level along the length of an end portion. This may increase fatigue life or improve the performance of devices using the improved strut. The strain along the length of the end portion may be maintained substantially constant by varying a section property of the strut, including the width, thickness, cross-sectional area, material property or other characteristic of the end portion.
Claims9
An intraluminal device, comprising:
- a beam comprising an end portion connected to a bend adjacent a first end and connected to a middle portion adjacent a second end, said beam and said bend being made from an elastic material;
- said end portion comprising a first side surface disposed toward said bend and a second side surface disposed away from said bend, said first side surface and said second side surface defining a width therebetween, wherein said width at said first end is greater than said width at said second end;
- an outer surface and an inner surface defining a thickness therebetween, wherein said thickness is constant from said first end to said second end;
- and
- wherein said width along a length from said second end to said first end is substantially proportional to a distance of said width from said second end raised to a power of 0.5, a first strain thereby being substantially constant along said first side surface between said first end and said second end.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.