Patent ID: 8834558
Filing Date: 2014-09-16
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A flexible stent for positioning within a lumen proximate to a target area, the stent comprising: a tubular member having proximal and distal ends, at least a portion of the tubular member comprising a self-expanding material, wherein at least a portion of the tubular member is configured to be positioned proximate to the target area, and wherein at least one of the proximal and distal ends of the tubular member comprises a flared end portion; and a plurality of stabilization members defined circumferentially about at least a portion of the tubular member, wherein each stabilization member extends inwardly within the tubular member to define an inner diameter that is less than an inner diameter of the tubular member, wherein the stabilization members are capable of reducing the incidence of infolding of the tubular member, wherein a wall thickness of each stabilization member is less than a wall thickness of the tubular member, and wherein the tubular member and stabilization members are integrally formed from a single piece of flexible material; and wherein the tubular member comprises a plurality of radial portions that are convex in longitudinal cross section, wherein each of said radial portions is shaped as a sphere segment so as to have a sphere-like surface shape such that at least a core area defined by the tubular member includes a progression of sphere segments, wherein the stabilization members are concave in longitudinal cross section, and wherein transitions between radial portions of the tubular member and the stabilization members are smooth.