Abstract: A stent in a radially compressed configuration includes a plurality of first outer crowns and a plurality of second outer crowns, each of the first outer crowns and the second outer crowns connected by a strut of a plurality of struts. The plurality of first outer crowns and the plurality of second outer crowns are disposed at a crown angle in the range of about 15 degrees to about 35 degrees, the crown angle being defined by a line extending through a midpoint of a crown of the plurality of first outer crowns or the plurality of second outer crowns through a center of radius of the crown with respect to a line that is parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: A continuous wire stent includes a wire bent into a waveform and spirally wrapped into a helix having a plurality of bands that form a hollow cylindrical shape. The waveform includes a plurality of waves, each wave including a first outer crown including a first intrados, a second outer crown including a second intrados facing the first intrados, a first mid-crown disposed between the first outer crown and the second outer crown, a second mid-crown disposed between the second outer crown and an outer crown of a next wave of the waveform, a first strut connecting the first outer crown to the first mid-crown, a second strut connecting the first mid-crown to the second outer crown, a third strut connecting the second outer crown to the second mid-crown, and a fourth strut connecting the second mid-crown to the outer crown in the next wave of the waveform.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to ergonomic pierce-free custom-fitted earring devices capable of bearing ornamentation weighing about 30 grams or more, and more safely and comfortably mounting the same onto the lowermost one-third of each ear without utilizing the lobule of the ear, wherein the fully latched front loop of the first end and the rear component on the second end comprise critical ear-contact-points that engage a thickness of concha cavum cartilage at the front and rear of the ear with little to no perceived squeezing.

Abstract: A continuous wire stent includes a wire bent into a waveform and spirally wrapped into a helix having a plurality of bands that form a hollow cylindrical shape. The waveform includes a plurality of waves, each wave including a first outer crown including a first intrados, a second outer crown including a second intrados facing the first intrados, a first mid-crown disposed between the first outer crown and the second outer crown, a second mid-crown disposed between the second outer crown and an outer crown of a next wave of the waveform, a first strut connecting the first outer crown to the first mid-crown, a second strut connecting the first mid-crown to the second outer crown, a third strut connecting the second outer crown to the second mid-crown, and a fourth strut connecting the second mid-crown to the outer crown in the next wave of the waveform.

Abstract: A stent in a radially compressed configuration includes a plurality of first outer crowns and a plurality of second outer crowns, each of the first outer crowns and the second outer crowns connected by a strut of a plurality of struts. The plurality of first outer crowns and the plurality of second outer crowns are disposed at a crown angle in the range of about 15 degrees to about 35 degrees, the crown angle being defined by a line extending through a midpoint of a crown of the plurality of first outer crowns or the plurality of second outer crowns through a center of radius of the crown with respect to a line that is parallel to a central longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stent includes forming a wave form having a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each crown connects two adjacent struts. The wave form has a central portion and two end portions located on opposite sides the central portion. Some of the struts located in the end portions have lengths longer and/or shorter than an average length of all of the struts of the wave form. The method includes wrapping the wave form about a longitudinal axis to define a plurality of turns so that an end turn is oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, a second turn is at a first pitch angle that is less than the angle that the end turn is disposed relative to the longitudinal axis, a third turn is at a second pitch angle that is less than the first pitch angle, and a fourth turn is at a third pitch angle that is less than the second pitch angle.

Abstract: A method of forming a stent includes forming a wave form from a formable material. The wave form includes a plurality of substantially straight portions and a plurality of curved portions, each curved portion connecting adjacent substantially straight portions. The method includes wrapping the wave form around a mandrel at an angle to form a helical coil comprising a plurality of turns, connecting a first curved portion of a first turn to an adjacent second curved portion of a second turn at a position along the wave form to define an end of the stent, and removing excess material from an end of the wave form extending past the first curved portion while smoothing the end of the stent.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stent includes forming a wave form having a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each crown connects two adjacent struts. The wave form has a central portion and two end portions located on opposite sides the central portion. Some of the struts located in the end portions have lengths longer and/or shorter than an average length of all of the struts of the wave form. The method includes wrapping the wave form about a longitudinal axis to define a plurality of turns so that an end turn is oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, a second turn is at a first pitch angle that is less than the angle that the end turn is disposed relative to the longitudinal axis, a third turn is at a second pitch angle that is less than the first pitch angle, and a fourth turn is at a third pitch angle that is less than the second pitch angle.

Abstract: A stent includes a continuous wave form having a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns throughout the wave form. Each crown connects two adjacent struts. The wave form is wrapped around a longitudinal axis to define a central portion and two end portions located on opposite sides the central portion. The central portion includes a plurality of turns wrapped around the longitudinal axis and oriented at a first pitch angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The end portions each include a plurality of turns wrapped around the longitudinal axis and oriented at different pitch angles, and an end turn oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis. The different pitch angles of the end portions are between the first pitch angle and the angle of the end turn relative to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A stent includes a wave form that includes a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each crown connects two adjacent struts within the wave form. The wave form is wrapped around a longitudinal axis at a pitch angle to define a plurality of turns and has a central portion and two end portions located on opposite sides of the central portion. At least some of the struts located in the end portions have lengths longer than an average length of all of the struts of the wave form. The stent also includes a plurality of connections. Each connection connects selected crowns from adjacent turns. The connections are positioned along the stent substantially equally so that a density of the number of connections of the end portions is substantially equal to a density of the number of connections of the central portion.

Abstract: A method of forming a stent includes forming a wave form from a formable material. The wave form includes a plurality of substantially straight portions and a plurality of curved portions, each curved portion connecting adjacent substantially straight portions. The method includes wrapping the wave form around a mandrel at an angle to form a helical coil comprising a plurality of turns, connecting a first curved portion of a first turn to an adjacent second curved portion of a second turn at a position along the wave form to define an end of the stent, and removing excess material from an end of the wave form extending past the first curved portion while smoothing the end of the stent.

Abstract: A stent includes a continuous wave form wrapped around a longitudinal axis of the stent at a first pitch angle to define a first helix comprising a plurality of turns. The wave form includes a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each crown connects adjacent struts within a turn to define the continuous wave form. The stent also includes a plurality of connections configured to connect selected crowns of adjacent turns so that when the stent is in an unexpanded condition, the plurality of connections are aligned at a second pitch angle to define a second helix, and when the stent is in an expanded condition, at least some of the connections align along a substantially straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: A stent includes a continuous wave form wrapped around a longitudinal axis of the stent at a first pitch angle to define a first helix comprising a plurality of turns. The wave form includes a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each crown connects adjacent struts within a turn to define the continuous wave form. The stent also includes a plurality of connections configured to connect selected crowns of adjacent turns so that when the stent is in an unexpanded condition, the plurality of connections are aligned at a second pitch angle to define a second helix, and when the stent is in an expanded condition, at least some of the connections align along a substantially straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent.

Abstract: A stent includes a continuous wave form wrapped around a longitudinal axis of the stent at a pitch to define a helix comprising a plurality of turns. The wave form includes a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each crown connects adjacent struts within a turn to define the continuous wave form. The stent also includes a plurality of connections configured to connect selected crowns of adjacent turns. Unconnected crowns of adjacent turns that substantially face each other are spaced from each other and define a gap therebetween. The gap between the unconnected crowns of adjacent turns is variable around a circumference of the stent.

Abstract: A stent includes a wave form that includes a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each crown connects two adjacent struts within the wave form. The wave form is wrapped around a longitudinal axis at a pitch angle to define a plurality of turns and has a central portion and two end portions located on opposite sides of the central portion. At least some of the struts located in the end portions have lengths longer than an average length of all of the struts of the wave form. The stent also includes a plurality of connections. Each connection connects selected crowns from adjacent turns. The connections are positioned along the stent substantially equally so that a density of the number of connections of the end portions is substantially equal to a density of the number of connections of the central portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a stent includes forming a wave form having a plurality of struts and a plurality of crowns. Each crown connects two adjacent struts. The wave form has a central portion and two end portions located on opposite sides the central portion. Some of the struts located in the end portions have lengths longer and/or shorter than an average length of all of the struts of the wave form. The method includes wrapping the wave form about a longitudinal axis to define a plurality of turns so that an end turn is oriented at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, a second turn is at a first pitch angle that is less than the angle that the end turn is disposed relative to the longitudinal axis, a third turn is at a second pitch angle that is less than the first pitch angle, and a fourth turn is at a third pitch angle that is less than the second pitch angle.