Patent ID: 6520987
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An expandable prosthesis for a body passageway comprising a plurality of first and second ring-shaped members having ends of complementary shape, at least some of said first members alternating with said second members in a tubular configuration along a longitudinal axis, pairs of adjacent ring-shaped members being interconnected, at least one of said pairs of adjacent alternating first and second members being flexibly connected together with at least one connecting member for allowing said adjacent first and second members to be articulated out of coaxial alignment, said first and second members each having a collapsed diameter for permitting delivery thereof in the body passageway and having at least one expanded diameter upon application from the interior of said first and second members of an outwardly directed force for expanding the body passageway, wherein said first ring-shaped members are constituted of successive interconnected first elements of polygonal shape when expanded and said second ring-shaped elements are constituted of successive interconnected second elements of inverted polygonal shape, wherein peaks and valleys of adjacent first and second elements are disposed substantially axially opposite from each other in an at least partly nested relationship.