# US 8,771,338 B2 · Intralumenally-implantable frames > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,771,338 B2 - Document ID: US8771338B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/924,830 - Filed: 2013-06-24 - Published: 2013-10-31 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2003-04-24 - Assignees: Cook Medical Technologies LLC - Applicants: Cook Medical Technologies LLC - Inventors: Darin G. Schaeffer; Jacob A. Flagle; Michael L. Garrison; Brian C. Case; Andrew K. Hoffa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8771338B2 ## CPC - A61F 2/86: Stents in a form characterised by the wire-like elements; Stents in the form characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure - A61F 2/06: Blood vessels - A61F 2/2418: {Scaffolds therefor, e.g. support stents} - A61F 2/2475: {Venous valves} - A61F 2/915: with bands having a meander structure, adjacent bands being connected to each other - A61F 2/91: made from perforated sheets or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes - A61F 2002/068: {Modifying the blood flow model, e.g. by diffuser or deflector} - A61F 2002/91508: {the meander having a difference in amplitude along the band} - A61F 2002/91516: {the meander having a change in frequency along the band} - A61F 2002/91533: {characterised by the phase between adjacent bands} - A61F 2002/91575: {connected peak to trough} - A61F 2220/0016: with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes - A61F 2220/0058: soldered or brazed or welded - A61F 2230/0054: V-shaped - A61F 2250/0037: differing in height or in length - A61F 2250/0039: differing in diameter - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract Implantable frames for use in body passages are provided herein. The implantable frames can include a plurality of hoop members joined by a plurality of longitudinal connecting members to form a tubular frame defining a cylindrical lumen. The plurality of longitudinal connecting members may include first and second longitudinal connecting members joining a first hoop member to a second hoop member such that the first and second longitudinal connecting members extend across an entire space separating the first and second hoop members. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An implantable frame defining a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the implantable frame moveable between a compressed state and an expanded state and comprising: a proximal hoop member; a distal hoop member; one or more additional hoop members positioned between the proximal and distal hoop members along said longitudinal axis; each hoop member comprising a plurality of interconnected struts and bends arranged in an undulating shape; wherein each hoop member of the one or more additional hoop members is connected to a longitudinally adjacent hoop member by an array of longitudinal connecting members arranged in pairs of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members; wherein a first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from a first bend of a first hoop member toward a first bend of a second hoop member; and wherein a second pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from the first bend of the second hoop member toward a first bend of a third hoop member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The implantable frame of claim 1, wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a first lengthwise axis; wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the second pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a second lengthwise axis; and wherein the first lengthwise axis is coaxial with the second lengthwise axis. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The implantable frame of claim 1, wherein a third pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from a second bend of the first hoop member toward a second bend of the second hoop member; and wherein a fourth pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from the second bend of the second hoop member toward a second bend of the third hoop member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The implantable frame of claim 3, wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the third pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a third lengthwise axis; wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the fourth pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a fourth lengthwise axis; and wherein the third lengthwise axis is coaxial with the fourth lengthwise axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The implantable frame of claim 3, wherein a fifth pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from a third bend of the first hoop member toward a third bend of the second hoop member; and wherein a sixth pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from the third bend of the second hoop member toward a third bend of the third hoop member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The implantable frame of claim 5, wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the fifth pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a fifth lengthwise axis; wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the sixth pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a sixth lengthwise axis; and wherein the fifth lengthwise axis is coaxial with the sixth lengthwise axis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The implantable frame of claim 1, wherein the first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends axially-beyond a second bend of the second hoop member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The implantable frame of claim 1, wherein the first bend of the first hoop member has a first apex and connects first and second circumferentially adjacent struts; and wherein the first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from the first apex. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The implantable frame of claim 8, wherein a third pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from a second bend of the first hoop member toward a second bend of the second hoop member, the third pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members disposed between the second strut and a circumferentially adjacent third strut of the first hoop member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The implantable frame of claim 1, wherein the first hoop member comprises one of the one or more additional hoop members. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The implantable frame of claim 10, wherein the third hoop member comprises one of the proximal and distal hoop members. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The implantable frame of claim 1, further comprising a radiopaque marker. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The implantable frame of claim 12, wherein the radiopaque marker is attached to a bridging member extending between first and second struts of a hoop member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The implantable frame of claim 1, wherein the implantable frame is self-expandable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The implantable frame of claim 14, wherein the implantable frame comprises a shape memory alloy. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The implantable frame of claim 1, wherein the implantable frame requires mechanical expansion to move from the compressed state to the expanded state. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The implantable frame of claim 1, wherein the implantable frame includes a bioactive agent. ### Claim 18 An implantable frame defining a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the implantable frame moveable between a compressed state and an expanded state and comprising: a proximal hoop member; a distal hoop member; one or more additional hoop members positioned between the proximal and distal hoop members along said longitudinal axis; each hoop member comprising a plurality of interconnected struts and bends arranged in an undulating shape; wherein each hoop member of the one or more additional hoop members is connected to a longitudinally adjacent hoop member by an array of longitudinal connecting members arranged in pairs of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members; wherein a first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from a first bend of a first hoop member toward a first bend of a second hoop member; wherein a second pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from the first bend of the second hoop member toward a first bend of a third hoop member; wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a first lengthwise axis; wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the second pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a second lengthwise axis; and wherein the first lengthwise axis is coaxial with the second lengthwise axis. ### Claim 19 An implantable frame defining a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the implantable frame moveable between a compressed state and an expanded state and comprising: a proximal hoop member; a distal hoop member; one or more additional hoop members positioned between the proximal and distal hoop members along said longitudinal axis; each hoop member comprising a plurality of interconnected struts and bends arranged in an undulating shape; wherein each hoop member of the one or more additional hoop members is connected to a longitudinally adjacent hoop member by an array of longitudinal connecting members arranged in pairs of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members; wherein a first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from a first bend of a first hoop member toward a first bend of a second hoop member; wherein a second pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from the first bend of the second hoop member toward a first bend of a third hoop member; wherein a third pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from a second bend of the first hoop member toward a second bend of the second hoop member; wherein a fourth pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from the second bend of the second hoop member toward a second bend of the third hoop member; wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a first lengthwise axis; wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the second pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a second lengthwise axis; and wherein the first lengthwise axis is coaxial with the second lengthwise axis.