Patents Assigned to MD3, Inc.
  • Expandable stent with sliding and locking radial elements
    Patent number: 6623521
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lumen support stent with a clear through-lumen for use in a body lumen. The stent is formed from at least one series of sliding and locking radial elements and at least one ratcheting mechanism comprising an articulating element and a plurality of stops. The ratcheting mechanism permits one-way sliding of the radial elements from a collapsed diameter to an expanded diameter, but inhibits radial recoil from the expanded diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: MD3, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Steinke, Donald H. Koenig, Joan Zeltinger
  • Ultra-thin expandable stent
    Patent number: 6224626
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lumen support stent for use in an artery or any body lumen. The stent is formed from a plurality of ladder elements having elongated ribs and end rungs affixed to the elongated ribs. The elongated ribs of adjacent ladder elements are slidably engaged by the end rungs of adjacent ladder elements. Sliding of the elongated ribs creates a variable distance between the end rungs of adjacent ladder elements. Consequently, the stent has a first diameter in which the distance between end rungs of adjacent ladder elements is collapsed, and a variable second diameter in which the distance between end rungs of adjacent ladder elements is expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: MD3, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Steinke
  • Expandable stent
    Patent number: 6033436
    Abstract: The present invention provides a lumen support stent for use in an artery or any body lumen. The stent is formed from a plurality of ladder elements having elongated ribs bowed to define a circumferential arc of the tubular member and end rungs affixed to the elongated ribs. The elongated ribs of adjacent ladder elements are substantially parallel to one another and slidably engaged by the end rungs of adjacent ladder elements. Sliding of the end rungs along the circumferential arc defined by the engaged ribs creates a variable circumferential distance between the end rungs of adjacent ladder elements. Consequently, the stent has a first diameter in which the circumferential distance between end rungs of adjacent ladder elements is collapsed, and a variable second diameter in which the circumferential distance between end rungs of adjacent ladder elements is expanded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: MD3, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Steinke, Stephen O. Ross