Patent ID: 7537609
Filing Date: 2009-05-26
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A stent, the stent comprising a radially expandable, generally tubular body, the tubular body having a first end and a second end, the tubular body comprising a plurality of struts and a plurality of connectors, the plurality of struts forming a plurality of circumferential rings, adjacent circumferential rings being engaged by the plurality of connectors, the plurality of struts and the plurality of connectors defining a plurality of cells, one of the plurality of cells being a side branch opening, the side branch opening being larger than each of the other cells in the plurality of cells, the side branch opening defined by at least one discontinuous side branch member, the at least one discontinuous side branch member comprising at least one strut and at least one connector, the at least one strut and the at least one connector alternating with one another, the at least one strut of the at least one discontinuous side branch member comprising a first strut, a second strut, a third strut, and a fourth strut, the at least one connector of the at least one discontinuous side branch member comprising a first connector, a second connector, a third connector and a fourth connector, each of the struts and connectors of the at least one discontinuous side branch member having a first end and a second end, the second end of the first strut engaged to the first end of the first connector, the second end of the first connector engaged to the first end of the second strut, the second end of the second strut engaged to the first end of the second connector, the second end of the second connector engaged to the first end of the third strut, the second end of the third strut engaged to the first end of the third connector, the second end of the third connector engaged to the first end of the fourth strut, the second end of the fourth strut engaged to the first end of the fourth connector, the second end of the fourth connector engaged to the first end of the first strut.