Patent ID: 8157856
Filing Date: 2012-04-17
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A generally cylindrical, balloon-expandable stent for delivery to a desired location in a curved coronary artery on a stent delivery balloon catheter, said stent having a first pre-deployment linear configuration and diameter and a second deployed diameter, wherein the stent is deformed beyond its elastic limit, said stent having a circumference, and a longitudinal axis, said stent having sufficient flexibility to permit intraluminal delivery to the curved coronary artery; said stent in its first diameter comprising: at least two longitudinally spaced apart circumferential rings having closed ends, each of said circumferential rings defining a portion of the circumference of the stent, each of said circumferential rings having at least two peak segments and at least two valley segments; and at least one longitudinally extending connector having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first end portion being fixedly connected to a first of said circumferential rings and said second end portion being fixedly connected to one of said circumferential rings adjacent to said first circumferential ring, said at least one connector having at least one circumferentially and longitudinally arcuate central portion between its first and second end portions so that the at least one connector can expand or contract in length as measured by the straight line distance between its first and second end portions, while being passed through the curved coronary artery.