Abstract: A stent including a plurality of loops, each of the loops includes an arcuately formed wire with a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to an inner elongate member and the second end being attached to an outer elongate member, the inner and the outer elongate members being arranged to slide with respect to each other along a common longitudinal axis, wherein sliding of the inner and the outer elongate members with respect to each other changes a cross-sectional area of each of the loops, characterized in that the inner and outer elongate members are attached to inner and outer coupler tubes, and are selectively releasable from the inner and outer coupler tubes, the inner coupler tube being nested inside the outer coupler tube.

Abstract: A stent for implanting in the body to hold open a blood vessel includes cells with facing loops and the curved flexible links disposed and adapted to cooperate so that, when unexpended, the stent can flex as it is moved through curved blood vessels to a site where it is to be expanded and so that, when the stent is expanded in a curved vessel, at that site, as compared to each other, cells on the outside of the curve are open in length, but narrow in width as compared to cells on the inside of the curve which are short in length but increased in width to result in a more constant stent cell area between the inside and the outside of the curve than would otherwise occur causing the stent, when coated with a medicine, to apply a more even dose to the inside wall of the lumen, avoiding the possibility that a toxic dose is supplied at one area while a less than effective dose is applied to another area.

Abstract: A stent-graft having an exo-skeleton attached to a tubular graft, the tubular graft having a peripheral wall defining a lumen therein extending between first and second ends. The exo-skeleton may assume contracted and enlarged conditions, and includes one or more serpentine elements, each extending both peripherally and axially along at least a portion of the peripheral wall. Coiled-sheet stents are provided on the ends of the tubular graft for anchoring the ends within a body passage. Each serpentine element is a zigzag structure extending peripherally about the peripheral wall, with a plurality of serpentine elements distributed axially along the peripheral wall. The serpentine elements are individually attached to the peripheral wall and/or connector elements may extend between adjacent serpentine elements. Alternatively, each serpentine element may define a generally sinusoidal shape extending axially along the peripheral wall.

Abstract: An expandable tissue supporting device of the present invention employs ductile hinges at selected points in the expandable device. When expansion forces are applied to the device as a whole, the ductile hinges concentrate expansion stresses and strains in small well defined areas. The expandable medical device including ductile hinges provides the advantages of low expansion force requirements, relatively thick walls which are radio-opaque, improved crimping properties, high crush strength, reduced elastic recoil after implantation, and control of strain to a desired level. The expandable tissue supporting device includes a plurality of elongated beams arranged in a cylindrical device and connected together by a plurality of ductile hinges.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stent (1) comprising a tubular flexible body (2) whose wall (3) has a web structure (4) which can pass from a non-expanded state into an expanded state. The web structure (4) comprises a plurality of neighboring web patterns (5, 6) which, in turn, consist of adjoining webs (9, 10 and 9′, 10′, respectively). The web patterns (5, 6) are interconnected. Each web (9, 10 and 9′, 10′ respectively) comprises three portions (9a, 9b, 9c and 10a, 10b, 10c, respectively) that are arranged at an angle (&agr;, &bgr;) relative to one another.

Abstract: A device for trapping plaque against the vascular wall includes a tubular-shaped net which is made from a blood-permeable and biocompatable material having expandable members attached to each end of the tubular net. The expandable members are placed in their expanded position within a blood vessel to maintain the tubular net against the area of plaque to be treated with an interventional procedure. A balloon angioplasty procedure or stenting procedure is subsequently performed within the inner lumen formed in the tubular net. The tubular net prevents any emboli which may be created during the interventional procedure from entering into the bloodstream.

Abstract: A stent has a plurality of annular elements, each annular element having a compressed state and an expanded state, with each annular element having a longitudinal dimension which is smaller in the expanded state than in the compressed state. The stent also has at least one connecting member connecting adjacent annular elements, the connecting member having a longitudinal dimension which is larger in the expanded state than in the compressed state.

Abstract: An expandable, intraluminal tubular stent is provided for insertion and expansion within the lumen of a vessel. The stent includes a plurality of longitudinal struts. A series of arcuate or V-shaped end links are connected between the ends of the longitudinal struts. A series of deformable cross-links are circumferentially connected between adjacent longitudinal struts at a center portion of the longitudinal struts to permit the stent to be expanded from a first smaller diameter into a second larger diameter upon insertion into the vessel.

Abstract: A prosthesis for use in preventing restenosis after angioplasty is formed of plastic or sheet metal. It is expandable and contractable for placement. The prosthesis can be inserted while in a collapsed position, then expanded and locked in the larger diameter. Spring force can be provided by the material itself or metal springs can be imbedded within the walls of the prosthesis. Preferably, the walls have holes therethrough to promote tissue growth; and, in one embodiment the holes are in the form of slots so that the prosthesis is segmented and can bend longitudinally.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a stent including a stent body having a stent axis. The stent body includes structural members defining openings through the stent body. The structural members are provided with regions having different widths. The relative sizes of the widths are selected to control the length of the stent body as the stent body is radially expanded from an un-deployed orientation to a deployed orientation. In one embodiment, the regions having different widths are provided by tapering the widths of selected segments of the structural member.

Abstract: An intraluminal prosthesis is provided with a plurality of annular elements. Each annular element includes a plurality of struts and apices connected to form an annular configuration. Each annular element has a compressed state and an expanded state, and has a longitudinal dimension which is smaller in the expanded state than in the compressed state. A plurality of connecting members connect the apices of adjacent annular elements. The connecting members have a plurality of alternating segments that function to compensate for the smaller longitudinal dimension of each annular element in the expanded state. The stent may be provided with varying flexibility along its length and/or circumference, and may include segments that have different diameters.

Abstract: A intraluminal stent comprises a reticulated tube having an un-deployed diameter and expandable to an enlarged diameter. The tube includes a structural beam extending between first and second ends. The structural beam changes from a first geometry to a second geometry when the tube changes from the un-deployed diameter to the enlarged diameter. The structural beam includes first and second longitudinal elements each extending at least partially between the first and second ends and with a spacing between the first and second elements. Each of said first and second elements changes from the first geometry to the second geometry when the tube changes from the un-deployed diameter to the enlarged diameter for the spacing to remain substantially unchanged as the tube changes from the un-deployed diameter to the enlarged diameter.

Abstract: An automatically controlled expansion stent having an expansible stent body, actuation means for expanding the stent body, and control means for actively controlling the actuation means. The stent body is substantially tubular and includes material layers covering a plurality of radial expansion trusses. The stent employs MEMS motors under the control of a programmable logic device to expand the trusses and the stent body. Force from the motor is communicated to the expansion trusses through interconnects, which pivotally connect the trusses and provide channels for pull wires extending from the motors to the trusses. The trusses comprise a plurality of hinged links which produce symmetrical expansion of the stent body when actuated by the MEMS motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a stent for transluminal implantation in a hollow organ, comprising a plurality of circumferentially interconnected stent members forming at least two chains. The chains are linked together via several intermediate members having at least a section disposed at a slant angle relative to the stent longitudinal axis, in order to compensate, at least partly, for the longitudinal shortening upon expansion of the stent. This longitudinal shortening, occurring during stretching of the stent, is reduced owing to the provision, between the chains which are close to the first stent members and linked by intermediate members, of at least one other stent member having a higher elastic deformability than the first stent members.

Abstract: A stent fabricated from a rolled sheet. The sheet is perforated with wave form perforations to provide flexibility during insertion and in the body.

Abstract: There is disclosed a stent for implanting in the body. The stent is formed of a tube having a patterned shape which has first and second meander patterns having axes extending in first and second directions. The first meander patterns can be formed into even and odd first meander patterns. The even and odd first meander patterns are 180 out of phase with each other and the odd patterns occur between every two even patterns. The second meander patterns are intertwined with the first meander patterns. The first and second directions can be orthogonal to each other. The second meander patterns can also be formed of even and odd patterns.

Abstract: A configuration for expandable stents herein a series of circumferentially disposed serpentine elements are linked to one another by bridging members that are connected to the serpentine elements at juncture points located along the straight linking segments between adjoining apexes. The bridging element is shaped such that during expansion of the stent, any longitudinal contraction within the serpentine element is compensated for by the deformation of the bridging member so as to maintain the overall length of the stent substantially constant.

Abstract: There is disclosed a stent for implanting in the body. The stent is formed of a tube having a patterned shape which has first and second meander patterns having axes extending in first and second directions. The first meander patterns can be formed into even and odd first meander patterns. The even and odd first meander patterns are 180° out of phase with each other and the odd patterns occur between every two even patterns. The second meander patterns are intertwined with the first meander patterns. The first and second directions can be orthogonal to each other. The second meander patterns can also be formed of even and odd patterns.

Abstract: A prosthetic device for sustaining a vessel or hollow organ lumen (a stent) has a tubular wire frame (1) with rows of elongate cells (2) having a larger axis and a smaller axis. The cells are arranged with the larger axis in the circumferential direction of the frame (2) and the smaller axis parallel to the axial direction thereof. Each cell is formed by two U-shaped wire sections, and in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis one of the branches of the U-shaped wire sections in one row form together a closed ring shape (4) which provides the frame (1) with large radial stiffness. In the axial direction the frame (1) has only low stiffness so that it easily conforms to the vascular wall even if this deforms due to external loads. The interconnection between the cells (2) may be flexible.

Abstract: An implantable stent (10) which is installed as a support sleeve in the region of an vasoconstriction expandable especially by means of a balloon catheter (2), is continuously broken along the one long side. On both sides of the break (4), recesses, eyelets or punchings (6) are provided on which at least one removable holding element engages in order to keep the break (4) closed at first. After removing the holding element by withdrawing or gradual dissolution of its material, the break (4) can be exposed so that the previously selected stent (1) can be subsequently expanded again while enlarging the break (4) in order, for example, to take the growth of a patient into consideration.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a stent provides a folded strut section that provides both structural rigidity and reduction in foreshortening of the stent mechanism. A flexible section provides flexibility for delivery of the stent mechanism. In a second embodiment, flexible section columns are angled with respect to each other, and to the longitudinal axis of the stent. These relatively flexible sections are oppositely phased in order to negate any torsion along their length. In yet another embodiment, the flexible connector can take on an undulating shape (like an “N”), but such that the longitudinal axis of the connector is not parallel with the longitudinal axis of the stent. Finally, a new method is disclosed for making stents. The method consists of performing a standard photochemical machining process of cutting, cleaning and coating the tube with a photoresist.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a stent provides a folded strut section that provides both structural rigidity and reduction in foreshortening of the stent mechanism. A flexible section provides flexibility for delivery of the stent mechanism. In a second embodiment, flexible section columns are angled with respect to each other, and to the longitudinal axis of the stent. These relatively flexible sections are oppositely phased in order to negate any torsion along their length. In yet another embodiment, the flexible connector can take on an undulating shape (like an “N”), but such that the longitudinal axis of the connector is not parallel with the longitudinal axis of the stent. Finally, a new method is disclosed for making stents. The method consists of performing a standard photochemical machining process of cutting, cleaning and coating the tube with a photoresist.

Abstract: There is disclosed a stent for implanting in the body. The stent is formed of a tube having a patterned shape which has first and second meander patterns having axes extending in first and second directions. The first meander patterns can be formed into even and odd first meander patterns. The even and odd first meander patterns are 180 out of phase with each other and the odd patterns occur between every two even patterns. The second meander patterns are intertwined with the first meander patterns. The first and second directions can be orthogonal to each other. The second meander patterns can also be formed of even and odd patterns.

Abstract: A stent in a non-expanded state has a first and second expansion column, each consisting of a plurality of expansion strut pairs. An expansion strut pair includes a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut and a joining strut that couples the first and second expansion struts at one end. Expansion strut pairs include expansion strut pair first and second corners formed where the joining strut couples the first and second expansion struts. A connecting strut column, formed of a plurality of connecting struts couples the first and second expansion columns. Connecting struts include a proximal section, a distal section and an intermediate section. The proximal section is coupled to the corner of an expansion strut pair of the first expansion column, and the distal section is coupled to the joining strut of an expansion strut pair of the second expansion column intermediate the expansion strut pair first corner and the expansion strut pair second corner.

Abstract: A stent, in particular a coronary stent, for expansion from a first condition into an expanded second condition in which it holds a vessel in an expanded state, comprising a tubular body whose peripheral surface (1) is formed by a number of annular support portions (2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3) comprising bar elements (3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) which are connected in the longitudinal direction of the stent by way of connecting bars (4, 4.1, 4.2), wherein the bar elements (3.1) of at least a first support portion (2.1) and a second support portion (2.2) in adjacent relationship in a first direction (6.1) extend in a meander configuration in the peripheral direction of the stent and the connecting bars (4, 4.1, 4.2) to the second support portion (2.2) engage in the region of the turning points (5, 5.2, 5.3) of the first support portion (2.1), which turning points face in the first direction (6.1), wherein at least two adjacent connecting bars (4.1, 4.2) engage respectively in the region of a turning point (5.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a stent delivery system for implanting a flexible, generally cylindrical, expandable, coiled stent. The system comprises a catheter defining at least one lumen and having at least two longitudinally displaced openings or sets of openings ,a flexible, self-expandable coiled stent having discrete proximal and distal end sections, said stent being wound circumferentially around said catheter and coils of the stent being more closely wound at the proximal and/or distal end sections, and one or two release wires cooperating with restraining means so that as the release wire or wires are with-drawn proximally, the proximal and distal end sections of the stent are released in such a manner that coils of the stent unwind and the length of the unwound stent is not substantially less than the length of the portion of the unreleased stent that is not more closely wound.

Abstract: A blood vessel wall-defining device for repairing an abdominal aneurysm. The device comprises a percutaneously-insertable structural frame extending between first and second ends having an unexpanded diameter which is smaller than the diameter of the blood vessel to permit the structural frame to be placed into the blood vessel. The structural frame being expansible to form a cylindrical structural skeleton having a slightly larger diameter than the blood vessel to facilitate the securing of the skeleton in position in the blood vessel. The skeleton has a sheath of a tubular fabric. The said structural frame has a plurality of spaced coiled stents prior to expansion which are uncoiled under the aegis of a balloon catheter and locked into position by ratchet means.

Abstract: This invention is a medical device and a method of using it. The device is a foldable stent or stent-graft which may be percutaneously delivered with (or on) a catheter, typically an endovascular catheter, to a body cavity or lumen and then expanded. It may also be delivered or via surgical (or other) techniques. The expandable stent structure utilizes torsional members which distribute bending and folding loads in such a way that the stent is not plastically deformed. The stent's configuration allows it to be folded or otherwise compressed to a very small diameter prior to deployment without changing the length of the stent. The graft component cooperating with the stent is tubular and preferably is blood-compatible material which may, if desired, be reinforced with fibers. The stent is able to provide collapsible support for otherwise frangible graft material.

Abstract: A serpentine coiled ladder stent is provided, in which the coil is formed from a wound strip of cells, wherein the sides of the cells are serpentine. Thus, the stent is comprised of a strip helically wound into a series of coiled windings, wherein the strip is formed of at least two side bands connected to each other, for example by a series of cross struts. Each side band is formed in a serpentine pattern comprising a series of bends, wherein upon expansion of the stent, the bends of the side bands open to increase the length of each of the individual cells in the helical direction, thereby lengthening the strip in the helical direction to allow the stent to expand without any significant unwinding of the strip.

Abstract: Device suitable for internally supporting vessels in particular circular vessels in the non-medical and medical fields, such as transmission pipes and blood vessels, the urinary tract, the digestive tract, and airways, said device comprising;

Abstract: A method for producing an expandable stent includes steps of: (i) selectively removing portions of a solid tubular wall having a diameter substantially the same as that of the stent in a second, expanded position to define multiple sections of the porous surface connected to one another by a series of axially disposed connecting members; (ii) radially compressing the stent by applying a radially inward force on the multiple sections and the connecting members such that the multiple sections have a diameter substantially the same as that of the stent in the first, compressed position; and (iii) removing the connecting members between the multiple sections to produce the stent in the first position.

Abstract: A stent-graft having an exo-skeleton attached to a tubular graft, the tubular graft having a peripheral wall defining a lumen therein extending between first and second ends. The exo-skeleton may assume contracted and enlarged conditions, and includes one or more serpentine elements, each extending both peripherally and axially along at least a portion of the peripheral wall. Coiled-sheet stents are provided on the ends of the tubular graft for anchoring the ends within a body passage. Each serpentine element is a zigzag structure extending peripherally about the peripheral wall, with a plurality of serpentine elements distributed axially along the peripheral wall. The serpentine elements are individually attached to the peripheral wall and/or connector elements may extend between adjacent serpentine elements. Alternatively, each serpentine element may define a generally sinusoidal shape extending axially along the peripheral wall.

Abstract: A stent has a plurality of cells disposed about the circumference of the stent, with at least one cell having a plurality of struts that are connected together to form the cell. At least one strut has a portion that compensates for foreshortening of the struts during expansion of the stent.

Abstract: An endoluminal prosthetic device comprising axially repeating rings made up in turn of unit cells. The unit cells themselves are made up of circumferentially repeating patterns of multilayered strut members to form the ring. The rings may be axially connected to form a stent or an expandable housing for housing other medical device inserts. The multilayered struts, created by recessed slots cut from various regions in the strut members, permit improved radiopacity, increased flexibility during insertion stage into a lumen and better post-expansion conformability to the longitudinal shape of the body lumen, while providing increased rigidity and strain tolerance once the device has been expanded, as well as improved expansion ratio and fatigue characteristics. Variations on slot placement, length, orientation and shape with respect to the centerline of the strut members permit the optimization of a stent's strength, rigidity, strain and related mechanical properties.

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.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a stent including a stent body having a stent axis. The stent body includes structural members defining openings through the stent body. The structural members are provided with regions having different widths. The relative sizes of the widths are selected to control the length of the stent body as the stent body is radially expanded from an un-deployed orientation to a deployed orientation. In one embodiment, the regions having different widths are provided by tapering the widths of selected segments of the structural member.

Abstract: A radially expandable and contractible surgical stent 10 is provided formed from a shape memory material such as a Nickel-Titanium alloy. The stent 10 includes a series of wave-like struts 20 spaced apart by gaps 60. Each gap 60 is spanned by tie bars 70 at a maximum 64 width portion of the gap 60 or by an angled link 80 or a straight link 90 at a minimum 62 width portion of a gap 60. Hence, axial expansion or contraction of the stent 10 is avoided when the stent 10 is radially expanded or contracted. Each strut 20 is formed from a series of substantially linear legs 30 joined together by free bends 40 or attachment bends 50. The legs 30 and bends 40, 50 can be provided with an enhanced thickness 36 to augment resistance of the stent 10 to fracture when radially expanded or contracted. The stent 10 can be radially contracted to a diameter less than one-fourth of its radially expanded configuration when in a martensite phase.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for maintaining the patency of a vessel via a stent while minimizing both the risk of permanent vessel collapse and the risk of dislodgment of the stent from the implant site if the stent is temporarily deformed due to external forces. The method utilizes a crush-resistant stent having either shape memory or superelastic properties.

Abstract: Radially expandable intraluminal stents suitable for providing interior support within a human blood vessel are disclosed. A material used to construct the stent is formed into diamond cells. Each of the diamond cells has arms of equal length. Diamond cells are interconnected to other diamond cells by legs or to pairs of smaller cells which have a common vertex and four arms of equal length. Needle-like prongs are attached to the diamond cells at their vertex to function as attachment means for a biological membrane.

Abstract: An expandable, intraluminal tubular stent is provided for insertion and expansion within the lumen of a vessel. The stent includes a plurality of longitudinal struts. A series of arcuate or V-shaped end links are connected between the ends of the longitudinal struts. A series of deformable cross-links are circumferentially connected between adjacent longitudinal struts at a center portion of the longitudinal struts to permit the stent to be expanded from a first smaller diameter into a second larger diameter upon insertion into the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an expandable stent which is relatively flexible along its longitudinal axis to facilitate delivery through tortuous body lumens, but which is stiff and stable enough radially in an expanded condition to maintain the patency of a body lumen such as an artery when implanted therein. The struts of the present invention have a specific trapezoidal, triangular or a reduced radii configuration projecting radially outward that functions to reduce the forces necessary to penetrate the vessel wall thereby minimizing trauma or damage imparted to the wall during deployment. In addition, this design feature of the present invention helps secure the expanded stent so that it does not move once it is implanted and furthermore, minimizes projections into the blood stream.

Abstract: A stent has a tubular body with longitudinal struts interconnected by multi-bar linkages. The linkages comprise a pair of circumferential extending links, a pair of axial links and a pair of spaced hinges located between the circumferential links and the axial links. The struts inhibit foreshortening of the body and relative rotation between the links in the linkages, permitting radial expansion. The links are plastically deformed as they are expanded to maintain the expanded diameter.

Abstract: A stent for placement in a body lumen is fabricated by forming a tube having an un-deployed diameter sized for the tube to be placed on a deployment balloon and advanced through a body lumen to a deployment site. The tube is expandable upon inflation of the balloon to an enlarged diameter sized for the tube to be retained within the lumen at the site upon deflation and withdrawal of the balloon. The tube has a stent axis extending between first and second axial ends of the tube. The tube has an exterior surface and an interior surface. The tube is polished to polish the exterior surface to a smooth surface finish and with at least a portion of the interior surface having a rough surface finish rougher than the surface finish of the exterior surface.

Abstract: An expandable, intraluminal stent is provided which can be inserted into a body passage, and is capable of supporting an intact vascular graft. The stent is a thin-walled, generally tubular member having a plurality of rigid support tabs spaced uniformly around the perimeter of the two ends of the stent. A plurality of spacer bars span longitudinally between the rigid support tabs at one end of the stent and corresponding rigid support tabs at the other end. The spacer bars serve as struts to prevent longitudinal expansion or contraction of the stent so that the length of the stent is maintained. Plastically deformable connecting links interconnect adjacent rigid support tabs around each end of the stent to enable the stent to be expanded to an enlarged diameter. The stent can be expanded with a delivery system which applies a radially, outwardly extending force from the exterior of the stent. Alternatively, the stent can be expanded using an angioplasty balloon.

Abstract: An expandable tissue supporting device of the present invention employs ductile hinges at selected points in the expandable device. When expansion forces are applied to the device as a whole, the ductile hinges concentrate expansion stresses and strains in small well defined areas. The expandable medical device including ductile hinges provides the advantages of low expansion force requirements, relatively thick walls which are radio-opaque, improved crimping properties, high crush strength, reduced elastic recoil after implantation, and control of strain to a desired level. The expandable tissue supporting device includes a plurality of elongated beams arranged in a cylindrical device and connected together by a plurality of ductile hinges.

Abstract: A transmyocardial implant includes a hollow rigid conduit having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is sized to be received within a coronary vessel lumen. The first portion has an axial dimension aligned with an axis of the vessel. The second portion is sized to extend from the vessel through a myocardium into a heart chamber. The conduit has open first and second ends on axial ends of respective ones of the first and second portions to define a blood flow pathway within an interior of the conduit between the first and second ends. The first portion has at least one radial opening formed therethrough for blood to flow radially outward of the first portion proximally to the first end.

Abstract: Radially expandable intraluminal stents (11) suitable for providing interior support within a human blood vessel are disclosed. A material (33′) used to construct the stent (11) is formed into diamond cells (35). The diamond cells (35) each have arms (37) of equal length. Diamond cells (35) are interconnected to other diamond cells (25) by legs (39, 39a) or to pairs of smaller cells (41) which have a common vertex and four arms (43) of equal length. Needle-like prongs (51, 53) are attached to the diamond cells (35) at their vertex to function as attachment means for a biological membrane (57′).

Abstract: A stent is disclosed which comprises generally of ring having, in the preferred embodiment, crossties that have flexibility by having at least one bend. The rings themselves have predetermined stress-relieving points to predispose, by stress relief, particular segments of each ring to bend upon application of an expansion force such as by a balloon or by other means. In the preferred embodiment, the individual rings have notches, reducing the cross-sectional areas at particular locations adjacent reversing bends such that upon radial expansion, bending occurs at these reduced cross-sectional areas to prevent stress from accumulating at the reversing bends.

Abstract: A stent in the form of a generally tubular member has a diameter allowing for insertion into a body passageway and is radially expandable upon application of an outward force. A series of annular units are axially arranged to construct the stent. Each annular unit includes a plurality of generally ellipsoidal or polygonal elements equiangularly arranged around the stent axis, the elements being axially elongate and having a center opening. A tie member connects opposed ends of adjacent elements. Adjacent annular units are interconnected at their tie members by a connecting member.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common longitudinal stent axis and interconnected by one or more interconnecting members placed so that the stent is flexible in the longitudinal direction.