Patent ID: 8080052
Filing Date: 2011-12-20
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A stent in the form of a multi-cellular, tubular structure having a longitudinal axis, the stent structure including: a plurality of sets of cylindrical strut members with each circumferential set of strut members consisting of a multiplicity of curved sections attached end-to-end to diagonal sections to form a closed, ring-like structure circumferentially situated around the stent's longitudinal axis, one of the sets of strut members being located at each end of the stent, the struts in a set of cylindrical struts having a thickness in the circumferential direction and the end set of strut members being greater in thickness than each of the central circumferential sets of strut members located apart from each end; each circumferential set of strut members being longitudinally separated from an adjacent circumferential set of strut members and each circumferential set of strut members also being circumferentially displaced by between about one-eighth and about one-quarter cycle from the adjacent circumferential set of strut members; and at least one diagonal flexible link joining each pair of adjacent circumferential sets of strut members with each diagonal flexible link having a first end that is fixedly attached at a first attachment point to a curved section of one circumferential set of strut members and a second end that is fixedly attached at a second attachment point to a curved section of an adjacent circumferential set of strut members, the first attachment point being circumferentially displaced from the second attachment point by at least a half cycle of the circumferential sets of strut members.