Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular supporting prosthesis capable of growing, comprising a mesh structure, wherein the mesh structure comprises at least two structural rings, which are connected to each other via connecting members and are disposed point-symmetrically about the longitudinal supporting prosthesis axis, wherein the structural rings and/or the connecting members have at least one predetermined breaking point.

Abstract: A uniformly expandable support prosthesis has bending curves which taper in the region of curvature toward a narrowing. This allows uniform bending of the bending curves along the individual support rings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular supporting prosthesis, comprising two terminal regions relative to the longitudinal supporting prosthesis axis and a center region disposed between the two terminal regions, wherein every terminal region is provided with a mesh structure made of at least two structural rings, which are connected to each other via connecting members and are disposed point-symmetrically about the longitudinal supporting prosthesis axis. The center region is formed by elongated connecting members, which are connected to the structural rings respectively disposed adjacent to the center of the longitudinal supporting prosthesis axis. An aortic valve, which is produced by means of tissue engineering, is fastened and/or integrated in the center region.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a tubular support prostheses (stent) for vessels or intercorporeal lumina comprising at least two adjacently arranged expandable support rings connected to one another on at least one joint, said support rings being formed by a filament wound in a meander-like manner to form several arcs of curvature. The expansion behavior of such a support prosthesis is to be improved. For this purpose at least one arc of curvature of a first support ring and an arc of curvature of an adjacent second support ring overlap laterally, whereby the joint in the overlapping portion is formed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular supporting prosthesis capable of growing, comprising a mesh structure, wherein the mesh structure comprises at least two structural rings, which are connected to each other via connecting members and are disposed point-symmetrically about the longitudinal supporting prosthesis axis, wherein the structural rings and/or the connecting members have at least one predetermined breaking point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular supporting prosthesis, comprising two terminal regions relative to the longitudinal supporting prosthesis axis and a center region disposed between the two terminal regions, wherein every terminal region is provided with a mesh structure made of at least two structural rings, which are connected to each other via connecting members and are disposed point-symmetrically about the longitudinal supporting prosthesis axis. The center region is formed by elongated connecting members, which are connected to the structural rings respectively disposed adjacent to the center of the longitudinal supporting prosthesis axis. An aortic valve, which is produced by means of tissue engineering, is fastened and/or integrated in the center region.

Abstract: A support prosthesis for vessels or intracorporeal lumens has a large number of support rings which are connected in a longitudinal direction using non-metallic connecting elements.

Abstract: A uniformly expandable support prosthesis has bending curves which taper in the region of curvature toward a narrowing. This allows uniform bending of the bending curves along the individual support rings.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a tubular support prostheses (stent) for vessels or intercorporeal lumina comprising at least two adjacently arranged expandable support rings connected to one another on at least one joint, said support rings being formed by a filament wound in a meander-like manner to form several arcs of curvature. The expansion behavior of such a support prosthesis is to be improved. For this purpose at least one arc of curvature of a first support ring and an arc of curvature of an adjacent second support ring overlap laterally, whereby the joint in the overlapping portion is formed.

Abstract: An expandable tubular endoluminal prosthesis for maintaining the patency of a bodily vessel has a plurality of axially spaced serpentine bands. Each serpentine band has a proximal and distal end and a plurality of interconnected struts. Serpentine bands which are adjacent one another are connected one to the other. The prosthesis has a flow path therethrough and is capable of radial outward expansion from a first diameter to a second enlarged diameter. In a cross-section perpendicular to the flowpath, the struts have thicker portions with a narrower portion therebetween and have a greater width than thickness.

Abstract: A vascular or endoluminal stent adapted for deployment in a vessel or tract of a patient to maintain an open lumen therein is formed from a metal open-ended tube which is the single component of the stent. The tube has a multiplicity of holes cut by laser through its wall. The through-holes are encompassed by serpentines that constitute the wall, the serpentines extending sinusoidally each in multiple 360.degree. wavelengths in a single turn about the axis of the tube and juxtaposed in plural substantially identical segments disposed with regularity along the axis. Each segment has a length equal to the distance between crests and troughs of the sinusoid. Adjacent serpentines are joined together at crest and trough, respectively, so that their interconnections are 180.degree. out of phase relative to their wavelength.

Abstract: A vascular or endoluminal stent adapted for deployment in a vessel or tract of a patient to maintain an open lumen therein is formed from a metal open-ended tube which is the single component of the stent. The tube has a multiplicity of holes cut by laser through its wall. The through-holes are encompassed by serpentines that constitute the wall, the serpentines extending sinusoidally each in multiple 360.degree. wavelengths in a single turn about the axis of the tube and juxtaposed in plural substantially identical segments disposed with regularity along the axis. Each segment has a length equal to the distance between crests and troughs of the sinusoid. Adjacent serpentines are joined together at crest and trough, respectively, so that their interconnections are 180.degree. out of phase relative to their wavelength.