Patent ID: 7947071
Filing Date: 2011-05-24
Classification: A61F,B33Y

Abstract:
1. An expandable slide and lock polymer stent, the stent comprising: first and second helical backbones each comprising a plurality of slots, each slot having an axis extending in a circumferential direction, the first and second helical backbones extending in a helical path along an axis of the stent; a first set of elongate members defining proximal and distal ends, the proximal ends of the first set of elongate members being coupled to the first helical backbone with the first set of elongate members extending in a circumferential direction from the first helical backbone through the slots of the second helical backbone, the first set of elongate members being axially offset from each other; a first crossbar coupling the distal ends of the first set of elongate members; a second set of elongate members defining proximal and distal ends, the proximal ends of the second set of elongate members being coupled to the second helical backbone and extending in a circumferential direction from the second helical backbone through the slots of the first helical backbone, the second set of elongate members being axially offset from each other and from the first set of elongate members; and a second crossbar coupling the distal ends of the second set of elongate members; wherein the first and second helical backbones and the first and second sets of elongate members and the first and second crossbars form first and second radial elements that can be interconnected to collectively form a tubular member having a circumference which is expandable between a collapsed diameter and an expanded diameter, the first and second radial elements configured to provide one-way expansion from the collapsed diameter to the expanded diameter.