Patent ID: 7335228
Filing Date: 2008-02-26
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A stent having expanded and unexpanded configurations, said stent comprising: first and second ring structures individually comprising an endless undulating pattern and disposed axially adjacent each other; a first plurality of connector segments joining the first and second ring structures, each of the first plurality of connector segments having an undulating portion; a third ring structure comprising an endless undulating pattern and disposed axially adjacent the second ring structure; and a second plurality of connector segments joining the second and third ring structures, each of the second plurality of connector segments having an undulating portion; a fourth ring structure comprising an endless undulating pattern and disposed axially adjacent the third ring structure; and a third plurality of connector segments joining the third and fourth ring structures, each of the third plurality of connector segments having an undulating portion; a fifth ring structure comprising an endless undulating pattern and disposed axially adjacent the fourth ring structure; and a fourth plurality of connector segments joining the fourth and fifth ring structures, each of the fourth plurality of connector segments having an undulating portion; a sixth ring structure comprising an endless undulating pattern and disposed axially adjacent the fifth ring structure; and a fifth plurality of connector segments joining the fifth and sixth ring structures, each of the fifth plurality of connector segments having an undulating portion; a seventh ring structure comprising an endless undulating pattern and disposed axially adjacent the sixth ring structure; and a sixth plurality of connector segments joining the sixth and seventh ring structures, each of the sixth plurality of connector segments having an undulating portion; wherein said endless undulating pattern comprises a serpentine pattern, said serpentine pattern comprising a plurality of unit structures, each unit structure comprising first and second lateral arms and a central region disposed between said first and second lateral arms, said central region having at least a peak disposed between first and second valleys, wherein the peak is shorter than the first and second lateral arms, each said unit structure being inverted with respect to circumferentially adjacent unit structures, wherein the lateral arms of each unit structure are shared with adjacent unit structures; wherein the undulating portion of each connector segment of the third and fourth plurality of connector segments is axially displaced from the undulating portion of a circumferentially adjacent connector segment when the stent is in said unexpanded configuration; and wherein the undulating portion of each connector segment of the first, second, fifth and sixth plurality of connector segments is axially aligned with the undulating portion of a circumferentially adjacent connector segment when the stent is in said unexpanded configuration.