Patent ID: 6881223
Filing Date: 2005-04-19
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An expandable stent comprising: a proximal end and a distal end in communication with one another, a tubular wall disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, the tubular wall having a longitudinal axis and a porous surface defined by a plurality of intersecting members comprising (i) a series of longitudinal struts disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stent, and (ii) a series of circumferential struts undulating in a circumferential direction, each of the longitudinal struts comprising arcuate flexure means for substantially complementary extension and compression of a diametrically opposed pair of the longitudinal struts upon flexure of the stent, the stent being expandable from a first, contracted position to a second, expanded position upon the application of a radially outward force on the stent, said flexure means being thinner than at least one adjacent circumferential strut when measured on the other surface of the tubular wall, said flexure means comprising a sinusoidal cycle disposed between a start point and an end point which are in substantial alignment with the longitudinal axis, the distance between the start point and the end point being less than a minimum distance between an adjacent pair of circumferential struts.