Patent ID: 6929657
Filing Date: 2005-08-16
Classification: A61F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for crimping an intravascular stent on a catheter, comprising: providing a catheter having an expandable member; providing a stent, comprising: i. a plurality of cylindrical rings aligned along a common longitudinal axis and interconnected to form the stent, each cylindrical ring having a first delivery diameter and a second implanted diameter; ii. each cylindrical ring having a plurality of first peaks and second peaks, each of the peaks having a height, the second peaks being shorter than the first peaks; iii. at least one undulating link attaching each cylindrical ring to an adjacent cylindrical ring, the undulating links having a curved portion and a pair of straight portions which extend transverse to the stent longitudinal axis; iv. each undulating link having a first arm and a second arm, the first arm and the second arm being straight and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent and being circumferentially offset from the second peak; mounting the stent over the expandable member; and compressing the stent into contact with the expandable member so that as the stent is compressed to the first delivery diameter, the pair of straight portions remain transverse to the stent longitudinal axis and the undulating link moves into longitudinal alignment with the second peak.