Patent ID: 8562666
Filing Date: 2013-10-22
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A self-expanding stent, comprising: a plurality of non-connected, axially adjacent segments each having a length; a series of radially and circumferentially adjacent repeating cells comprising each segment, wherein each cell is an open structure; a predetermined number of protrusions extending from each segment, each protrusion comprising an end, a single shaft, a bifurcated shaft formed from parallel struts and spaced apart a first predetermined distance and a flared base formed from parallel struts spaced apart a second predetermined distance greater than the first predetermined distance and connected to the parallel struts of the bifurcated shaft via shoulders; a predetermined number of receptacles provided in each segment and aligned to receive a corresponding protrusion from one of the axially adjacent segments, each receptacle comprising a first cavity for receiving an end of a protrusion, the first cavity being a circular ring configuration and having a changeable diameter, a second cavity comprising struts configured to create an angle of convergence for retaining the single shaft when the stent is unexpanded and a third cavity configured to receive the bifurcated shaft, the first cavity comprising an opening wherein it joins the second cavity, the opening being equal to the distance between the struts forming the second cavity, the third cavity being formed from substantially parallel struts that have ends that neck down to the struts of the second cavity, the struts of the third cavity being connected to the struts of the flared base, the first cavity having a greater circumferential dimension than both the second and third cavities; wherein the stent comprises a length of segment to expanded stent diameter ratio, L/D, of greater than one in the constrained state such that the predetermined number of protrusions of the segments interlock and remain engaged with the corresponding receptacles of one of the axially adjacent segments during delivery of the stent and a portion of the length of each segment overlaps with a portion of the length of one or more adjacent segments after delivery.