Patent ID: 6261318
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A stent having a generally tubular body with a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinal struts extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of said body, circumferentially adjacent pairs of said struts being interconnected by a plurality of linkages axially spaced from one another and each including a plurality of links connected to one another, adjacent links of said linkages being angularly disposed relative to one another such that a radial force causes relative rotation between adjacent links and plastic deformation thereof to permit radial expansion of said stent, said struts being disposed to inhibit relative axial movement between said linkages and foreshortening of said body; each of said linkages including a pair of circumferentially extending links and a pair of axial links connected to one end to respective ones of said circumferentially extending links, opposite ends of said axial links being connected to one another by a circumferential link axially spaced from said circumferentially extending links, said axial links and said circumferential link being enlarged at their intersection to provide a pair of spaced hinges between said circumferential links and said axial links, and external corners of said intersection being radiused.