Patent ID: 7452372
Filing Date: 2008-11-18
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A stent for placement at a vessel bifurcation, the vessel having a main branch and a side branch, the stent having an expanded configuration and an unexpanded configuration, the stent comprising: a substantially tubular main body defining a main lumen therethrough, and a branch body defining a branch lumen therethrough, the main lumen in fluid communication with the branch lumen, the branch body comprised of a first flexible member and a second flexible member, a connector engaging the first flexible member, the branch body being in the unexpanded state when the connector further engages the second flexible member, the branch body being in the expanded state when the second flexible member is disengaged from the connector, wherein the connector is electrically frangible, in the unexpanded state the electrically frangible connector being in electric communication with the first flexible member and the second flexible member, in the expanded state the electrically frangible connector being disengaged from at least one of the first flexible member and second flexible member as a result of excess current, and wherein after removal of the excess current, the electrically frangible connector is capable of again being in electric communication with the first flexible member and the second flexible member.