Abstract: A surgical stent (10) is provided which can be radially expanded away from a central axis (2) within a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent (10) is formed from a series of struts (20) circumscribing a cylindrical contour of the stent (10). Each strut (20) has a series of bends (30) formed therein with each bend including at least one trough (32) and at least one crest (36). Gaps (40) are provided between adjacent struts (20). Each gap (40) is spanned by an axial element such as a tie bar (50). Each tie bar (50) attaches to adjacent struts (20) through troughs (32) so that when the stent (10) is radially expanded, the struts (20) are not drawn together, but rather maintain their position and the stent (10) hence maintains its axial length without contracting. Other elements can alternatively be provided between adjacent circumferential elements to provide varying degrees of flexibility between adjacent struts (20).

Abstract: A surgical stent (10) is provided which can be radially expanded away from a central axis (2) within a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent (10) is formed from a series of struts (20) circumscribing a cylindrical contour of the stent (10). Each strut (20) has a series of bends (30) formed therein with each bend including at least one trough (32) and at least one crest (36). Gaps (40) are provided between adjacent struts (20). Each gap (40) is spanned by an axial element such as a tie bar (50) or links (180). Each tie bar (50) attaches to adjacent struts (20) through troughs (32) so that when the stent (10) is radially expanded, the struts (20) are not drawn together, but rather maintain their position and the stent (10) hence maintains its axial length without contracting. Other elements such as the links (180) can be provided spanning the gaps (140) to provide enhanced flexibility for the surgical stent (110) including such links (180).

Abstract: An incision device 10 is provided for precisely initiating and controlling the depth of an incision I in an artery A, such as a coronary artery A of a heart H, particularly while the heart H is beating. A handle 12 is provided for grasping by a surgeon and from which an arm 40 adjustably extends. A blade 70 is located at a free end 44 of the arm 40. A front depth control pin 80 and a rear depth control pin 90 are oriented parallel to each other and perpendicular to a plane in which the arm 40 and handle 12 are oriented and perpendicular to a cutting plane in which the cutting edge 74 of the blade 70 is oriented. The two depth control pins 80,90 together define a depth control plane with the cutting edge 74 of the blade 70 extending below the depth control plane to a desired maximum depth. The blade 70 is spaced sufficiently away from the front depth control pin 80 that the front depth control pin 80 can be located adjacent the artery A before the incision I is initiated.

Abstract: A method for polishing radially expandable surgical stents is disclosed where fluid abrasive media M flows over surfaces of the stent 10 causing the surfaces of the stent 10 to be polished and streamlined. The stent 10 is temporarily provided with cylindrical support ends 20, which are not radially expandable to support the stent 10 during the polishing process. An interior polishing fixture 100 is provided which has cylindrical chambers 135 therein adapted to receive a stent 10 therein. Fluid abrasive media M then flows into bores 108 in the fixture 100 leading to the cylindrical chambers 135 and adjacent the inner diameter surfaces of the stent 10. Surfaces of the stent 10 forming the outer diameter are polished by placing the stent 10 within an exterior polishing fixture 200 which has a cylindrical recess 220 therein.

Abstract: Radiopaque marker elements for attachment to ends of a radially expandable surgical stent are disclosed. Each radiopaque marker element is homogeneously formed from a radiopaque material and attached through an attachment means to ends of the stent. The radiopaque marker elements enhance the visibility of the stent when the stent is viewed with a medical imaging device, such as a fluoroscope. The marker elements extend beyond ends of the stent. The marker elements are attached to the stent before radial expansion and are configured to radially expand along with the stent during surgical implantation thereof within a body lumen, such as an artery. The radiopaque marker elements can either be attached to an unmodified radially expandable surgical stent or to a prepped stent which includes receivers at ends of the stent particularly configured to attach to the radiopaque marker elements.

Abstract: A surgical stent 10 is provided which is formed of a plurality of stent segments 40 having a streamlined contour. Each stent segment 40 includes an outer surface 42 spaced from an inner surface 44. The inner surface 44 is bordered by inner edges 54, 56 and the outer surface 42 is bordered by outer edges 50, 52. The outer edges 50, 52 have a contour defined by outer curves 64, 66 and the inner edges 54, 56 have a contour defined by inner curves 60, 62. Radii of curvature for the inner curves 70, 72 are greater than radii of curvature for the outer curves 64, 66. The inner surface 44 is thus streamlined for passage of blood/bodily fluid B adjacent the inner surface 44 and the outer surface 42 is particularly configured for maximum adherence without irritation to an inner surface S of a body lumen L, such as an artery.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a radial expandable stent for use in blood vessels. The length of the stent after expansion is substantially the same as the stent length before expansion. The stent is annealed at high temperatures to permit the wire to form an original multi-loop design including a plurality of concentric bended loops in a continuous wire folded along a length thereof. This provides desired alignment of the stent in the blood vessel in order to enhance desired blood flow and thereby reduce thrombogenicity.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an expandable stent for use in blood vessels. The length of the stent after expansion is substantially the same as the stent length before expansion. The stent is annealed at high temperatures to permit stent deformation at relatively low pressures to conform to the blood vessel shape and diameter.