Patent ID: 6113627
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A circumferentially connected stent in a non-expanded state with a longitudinal axis, comprising:a plurality of expansion struts forming a first expansion column, the first expansion column including a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut and a first joining strut coupling a distal end of the first expansion strut to a distal end of the second expansion strut, the first expansion strut having a stepped distal portion and the second expansion strut having a stepped proximal portion;a plurality of expansion struts defining a second expansion column, the second expansion column including a first expansion strut, a second expansion strut and a first joining strut coupling a distal end of the first expansion strut to a distal end of the second expansion strut, the first expansion strut having a stepped proximal portion and the second expansion strut having a stepped distal portion; anda first serial connecting strut column formed of a plurality of serial connecting struts and including a first serial connecting strut, the first serial connecting strut column coupling the first expansion column to the second expansion column.