Patent ID: 6709454
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A self-expanding stent having longitudinal flexibility for implanting in a body lumen and being expandable from a compressed condition to an expanded condition, comprising:a plurality of adjacent cylindrical elements made from a self-expanding material, each cylindrical element having a circumference extending around a longitudinal stent axis and being substantially independently expandable in the radial direction, wherein the plurality of adjacent cylindrical elements are arranged in alignment along the longitudinal stent axis and form a generally tubular member, the cylindrical elements are formed in a generally serpentine wave pattern and contain alternating valley portions and peak portions with a space formed between each valley and peak portion, the peak portions of the cylindrical element are adapted to extend within the spaces formed on an adjacent cylindrical element, and the cylindrical elements at each end of the stent have a plurality of double curved portions forming the outermost edge of the stent; and a plurality of interconnecting members extending between the adjacent cylindrical elements and connecting the adjacent cylindrical elements to one another, wherein some of the interconnecting members are aligned collinearly with respect to each other to form a continuous spine which extends along the length of the stent.