Patent ID: 7621947
Filing Date: 2009-11-24
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A multicellular stent for widening a vessel in the human body comprising square cells and triangular cells, including: a. a plurality of first circumferential bands containing a pattern of loops at a first frequency; b. a plurality of second circumferential bands containing a pattern of loops at a second frequency higher than the first frequency, alternating with said first circumferential bands and periodically coupled thereto to form triangular cells, c. wherein loops in said bands are disposed and adapted to cooperate so that, when the expanded stent is in a curved lumen, cells on the outside of the curve open in length, but narrow circumferentially whereas cells on the inside of the curve shorten in length but widen circumferentially; d. the second circumferential bands compensate for foreshortening of the first circumferential bands when the stent is expanded such that a first longitudinal distance of each of the first circumferential bands is smaller expanded than compressed, and a second longitudinal distance of each of the second circumferential band is greater expanded than compressed; e. the first and second circumferential bands having members, and at least one member of the first circumferential bands being wider than members of the second circumferential bands; and f. a plurality of third circumferential bands containing a pattern of loops and occurring at said first frequency for at least two repetitions at both ends of the stent, wherein the loops of the third circumferential band are 180 degrees out-of-phase with the loops of adjacent third circumferential bands; and g. a plurality of flexible connectors disposed between adjacent third circumferential bands, each flexible connector having at least one loop, each flexible connector having a first end and a second end defined by points of connection with longitudinally aligned loops of said adjacent third circumferential bands, wherein said adjacent third circumferential bands and flexible connectors are coupled to form square cells, said flexible connectors compensate for foreshortening of the loops of the third circumferential band upon expansion of the stent such that a third longitudinal distance of each of the third circumferential bands is smaller expanded than compressed, and a fourth longitudinal distance of the flexible connectors is greater expanded than compressed.