Patent ID: 8292944
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: A61F,B33Y

Abstract:
1. A slide-and-lock stent comprising: at least two circumferentially adjacent radial elements, each radial element comprising an elongate rail, a closed loop, and a neck portion disposed between the elongate rail and the closed loop, the elongate rail comprising a deflectable tooth, the closed loop disposed at one end of the elongate rail and defining an engagement slot, wherein the neck portion is narrower than the elongate rail and the closed loop, and wherein the engagement slot from one radial element is sized to accommodate the closed loop from a circumferentially adjacent radial element, thereby allowing assembly of the at least two circumferentially adjacent radial elements without welding or bonding, wherein the engagement slot from said one radial element is further configured to slidably engage the elongate rail of said circumferentially adjacent radial element and to cause the deflectable tooth of the slidably engaged elongate rail to deflect as it passes therethrough such that said stent achieves expansion in a circumferential axis with reduced recoil.