Patent ID: 6432132
Filing Date: 2002-08-13
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
An expandable intraluminal endoprosthesis comprising:a tubular member having a first and second end and a wall surface disposed between said first and second end, the wall having a first diameter in a first, unexpanded state which permits intraluminal delivery of the member into a lumen of a body passageway and being capable of acquiring a second diameter in an expanded and deformed state upon the exertion of a radially outwardly extending force to expand the lumen of the body passageway, wherein at least a part of said wall of said tubular member comprises, at least one substantially continuous winding of mutually staggered primary undulations advancing substantially helically along a longitudinal axis of said tubular member, a first primary undulation being connected to an associated second primary undulation by means of a first connection element, a third primary undulation subsequent to said first primary undulation being connected to an associated fourth primary undulation subsequent to said second primary undulation by means of a second connection element, and wherein said first and second connection elements are mutually connected by means of a connection strut which lies interposed between said primary undulations, at least in said first unexpanded state, wherein said connection strut has a smaller filament width than the primary undulations.