Abstract:
A stent for reducing the passage of emboli into body lumen once deployed includes a structural portion and a barrier portion. The structural portion, when expanded in a conduit, provides sufficient strength to maintain an open lumen in the conduit. The barrier portion reduces migration of emboli from the wall of the conduit through the structural portion and into the lumen. Stent delivery systems capable of delivering and deploying the stent are disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to luminal implants, and, more particularly, to stents for use in treating vascular disease. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Stents are widely used for supporting a lumen structure in a patient&#39;s body. For example, a stent may be used to maintain patency of a carotid artery, coronary artery, other blood vessel or other body lumen such as the ureter, urethra, bronchus, esophagus, or other passage. A stent is typically a metal, tubular structure, although polymer stents are known. Stents can be permanent enduring implants, or can be bioabsorbable at least in part. Bioabsorbable stents can be polymeric, bio-polymeric, ceramic, bio-ceramic, metallic, or other materials and stents may elute over time substances such as drugs. 
         [0003]    In certain stent designs, the stent is an open-celled tube that is expanded by an inflatable balloon at the deployment site. Another type of stent is of a “self-expanding” type. A self-expanding stent does not use a balloon or other source of force to move from a collapsed state to an expanded state. A self-expanding stent is passed through the body lumen in a collapsed state. At the point of an obstruction, or other deployment site in the body lumen, the stent is expanded to its expanded diameter for its intended purpose. An example of a self-expanding stent is a coil structure that is secured to a stent delivery device under tension in a collapsed state. At the deployment site, the coil is released so that the coil can expand to its enlarged diameter. Coil stents can be manufactured using a variety of methods, such as winding of wire, ribbon, or sheet on a mandrel or by laser cutting from a tube, followed by the appropriate heat treatments. Other types of self expanding stents are closed-cell or open-celled tubes made from a self-expanding material, for example, the Protégé GPS stent from ev3, Inc. of Plymouth, Minn. Cellular tube stents are commonly made by laser cutting of tubes, or cutting patterns into sheets followed by or preceded by welding the sheet into a tube shape, and other methods. The shape, length and other characteristics of a stent are typically chosen based on the location in which the stent will be deployed. 
         [0004]    Conventional stents generally are comprised of struts or wires having openings therebetween. During or after stent implantation material can pass from the treatment area through the stent openings and into the lumen of the conduit being treated. This material can separate from the conduit wall, embolize into the lumen, travel downstream and cause problems. For example, atheromatous debris can extrude through stent openings into the lumen of a carotid artery, embolize into the bloodstream, and be carried downstream by blood flow until the embolus becomes lodged in a smaller vessel, causing a stroke. In a similar manner, debris can pass through stent openings in a renal artery, flow distally into the kidney, and embolize, causing impaired renal function, and debris can pass through stent openings in a sapphenous vein graft, flow distally into the myocardium, and embolize, causing impaired heart function. 
         [0005]    Some workers in the field have added coverings to stents and thereby substantially occluded the stent openings However, such covered stents or stent grafts, when compressed into a delivery configuration, tend to be bulky and stiff, thereby making them unsuitable for delivery to small diameter vessels or locations requiring traversal of conduit tortuosity. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, a need exists for a stent that is small in profile and flexible when compressed into a delivery configuration and which provides appropriate vessel wall coverage to reduce passage of emboli into the lumen when deployed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A stent for reducing the passage of emboli into body lumen once deployed includes a structural portion and a barrier portion. The structural portion, when expanded in a conduit, provides sufficient strength to maintain an open lumen in the conduit. The barrier portion reduces migration of emboli from the wall of the conduit through the structural portion and into the lumen. Stent delivery systems capable of delivering and deploying the stent are provided. 
         [0008]    According to one aspect of the present invention, an expandable tubular stent for implantation in a body lumen comprises a structural layer extending along an axis and having a delivery diameter length and an expanded diameter length along the axis; and a barrier layer affixed to the structural layer and having a delivery diameter length and an expanded diameter length along the axis. The structural layer expanded diameter length is within the range of 1% to 25% of the barrier layer expanded diameter length. 
         [0009]    According to a second aspect of the present invention, an expandable tubular stent for implantation in a body lumen comprises a structural layer extending along an axis and having a delivery diameter length and an expanded diameter length along the axis; and a barrier layer affixed to the structural layer and having a delivery diameter length and an expanded diameter length along the axis. The structural layer delivery diameter length being within the range of 1% to 25% of barrier layer delivery diameter length. 
         [0010]    According to a third aspect of the present invention, an expandable tubular stent for implantation in a body lumen comprises a structural layer extending along an axis and being radially expandable from a delivery diameter to an expanded diameter about the axis; and a barrier layer affixed to the structural layer and being elastically and radially expandable from a delivery diameter to an expanded diameter about the axis. The delivery diameter of the barrier layer elastically expanding in the range of 100% to 1,500% to the barrier layer expanded diameter. 
         [0011]    According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an expandable tubular stent for implantation in a body lumen comprises a structural layer extending along an axis; and a barrier layer affixed to the structural layer and having a plurality of pores extending therethrough, the plurality of pores having an average pore size. The barrier layer having a range of pore sizes within ±1% to ±25% of the average pore size. 
         [0012]    According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, an expandable tubular stent for implantation in a body lumen comprises a structural layer extending along an axis; and a barrier layer affixed to the structural layer and having a plurality of pores extending therethrough. The plurality of pores having pore sizes within a range of 40 microns to 3,000 microns. 
         [0013]    According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an expandable tubular stent for implantation in a body lumen comprises a structural layer extending along an axis being radially expandable thereabout and having a first expanded percentage open area; and a barrier layer affixed to the structural layer and having a second expanded percentage open area. The stent having an composite expanded percentage open area within a range of 65% to 95%. 
         [0014]    According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, an expandable tubular stent for implantation in a body lumen comprises a structural layer extending along an axis and being radially expandable from a delivery diameter to an expanded diameter about the axis; and a barrier layer affixed to the structural layer and being plastically and radially expandable from a delivery diameter to an expanded diameter about the axis. The delivery diameter of the barrier layer plastically expanding in the range of 100% to 1,500% to the barrier layer expanded diameter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0015]    The above and further advantages of the invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates conceptually a partial cross-sectional diagram of a prior art stent deployed in a conduit; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates conceptually a partial cross-sectional diagram of an expanded stent in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C illustrate conceptually a portion of a stent in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate conceptually isometric or partial cross-sectional diagrams of an expanded stent in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C illustrate conceptually portions of stents in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 6A ,  6 B,  6 C,  6 D,  6 E,  6 F, and  6 G illustrate conceptually portions of stents in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate conceptually portions of stents in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate conceptually portions of stents in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate conceptually portions of stents in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate conceptually stents in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 11A ,  11 B, and  11 C illustrate conceptually one example of an OTW stent delivery system in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate conceptually one example of an RX stent delivery system in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 13  illustrates conceptually one example of an OTW stent delivery system in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14  illustrates conceptually one example of an RX stent delivery system in accordance with the present invention; 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0030]      FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art stent deployed in a conduit. Vessel V having vessel wall W and lumen L has stent S expanded within lumen of vessel. Previous treatment by dilation of vessel lumen L has caused atheroma A to be expanded from a position where vessel lumen L was narrowed by the atheroma (not shown) to a position where atheroma no longer blocks passage of fluid through lumen L. Dilation of atheroma A has caused vessel wall W to be expanded in the vicinity of atheroma and stent S has been deployed in the vicinity of atheroma to maintain expanded diameter of lumen L. Due to the elasticity of vessel wall W a radially contractile force is exerted on atheroma A, causing pillows P of atheroma to extrude between stent struts SS. In some cases pillows P of atheroma A become detached and form emboli E which travel downstream in lumen L. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  illustrates an expanded stent in accordance with the present invention. Stent  20  has a delivery diameter and an expanded diameter and is comprised of structural portion  22  and barrier portion  24 . Structural portion, when expanded in a conduit, provides sufficient strength to maintain an open lumen in the conduit, in part by providing sufficient radial strength, kink resistance, and fatigue resistance. Structural portion may be comprised of known stent designs and may be balloon expandable or self expanding. Suitable stent designs include but are not limited to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,415 “Stent”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,358,274 “Stent”, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/840,170 “Implant Having High Fatigue Resistance, Delivery System, and Method of Use” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/800,106 “Implant and Delivery System with Multiple Marker Interlocks”, the contents of which being incorporated in their entirety herein by reference. Barrier portion  24  reduces migration of emboli from the wall of the conduit through the structural portion and into the lumen in part by providing pores  26  which may be smaller in size than openings  28  in structural portion  22 . 
         [0032]    Stent  20  delivery diameter is the diameter of stent  20  when loaded into a stent delivery system and stent expanded diameter is the diameter of stent  20  when deployed in the lumen of a conduit. It is known for structural portions and barrier portions to lengthen or shorten when expanded from delivery diameter to expanded diameter. For stents  20  having structural portions and barrier portions that may be bonded together it is important that the two portions have similar lengths when in the expanded diameter so that shear stresses are not present at the interface between the two portions. Excessive shear stresses at this interface can contribute to failure of the interface on deployment or over time due to fatigue and subsequent debonding of the portions. Similarly, for stents  20  having structural portions and barrier portions that may be bonded together it is important that the two portions have similar lengths when in the delivery diameter so that shear stresses are not present at the interface between the two portions. Excessive shear stresses at this interface can contribute to failure of the interface over time in storage and subsequent debonding of the portions leading to stent  20  deployment difficulties. 
         [0033]    Structural portion expanded diameter length can be measured by constraining the structural portion at the same diameter as it has when stent  20  is in the stent expanded diameter; similarly barrier portion expanded diameter length can be measured by constraining the barrier portion at the same diameter as it has when stent  20  is in the stent expanded diameter. Structural portion expanded diameter lengths within 1% to within 25% of barrier portion expanded diameter lengths are contemplated. In one embodiment, structural portion expanded diameter length is within 25% of barrier portion expanded diameter length. In another embodiment, structural portion expanded diameter length is within 15% of barrier portion expanded diameter length. In another embodiment, structural portion expanded diameter length is within 10% of barrier portion expanded diameter length. In another embodiment, structural portion expanded diameter length is within 5% of barrier portion expanded diameter length. In another embodiment, structural portion expanded diameter length is within 2.5% of barrier portion expanded diameter length. 
         [0034]    Structural portion delivery diameter length can be measured by constraining the structural portion at the same diameter as it has when stent  20  is in the stent delivery diameter; similarly barrier portion delivery diameter length can be measured by constraining the barrier portion at the same diameter as it has when stent  20  is in the stent delivery diameter. Also, structural portion expanded diameter lengths within 1% to within 25% of barrier portion expanded diameter lengths and structural portion delivery diameter lengths within 1% to within 25% of barrier portion delivery diameter lengths are contemplated. In yet another embodiment, structural portion expanded diameter length is within 25% of barrier portion expanded diameter length and structural portion delivery diameter length is within 25% of barrier portion delivery diameter length. In another embodiment, structural portion expanded diameter length is within 15% of barrier portion expanded diameter length and structural portion delivery diameter length is within 15% of barrier portion delivery diameter length. In another embodiment, structural portion expanded diameter length is within 10% of barrier portion expanded diameter length and structural portion delivery diameter length is within 10% of barrier portion delivery diameter length. In another embodiment, structural portion expanded diameter length is within 5% of barrier portion expanded diameter length and structural portion delivery diameter length is within 5% of barrier portion delivery diameter length. In another embodiment, structural portion expanded diameter length is within 2.5% of barrier portion expanded diameter length and structural portion delivery diameter length is within 2.5% of barrier portion delivery diameter length. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, barrier portion  24  elastically expands from barrier portion delivery diameter to barrier portion expanded diameter, thereby eliminating the need to fold or deform barrier portion  24  during deployment and expansion of stent  20 . Folds in barrier portion  24  at the delivery diameter increase effective thickness of barrier portion  24  and thereby crossing profile of stent  20  when in the stent delivery diameter. Deformation of barrier portion  24  during stent  20  expansion carry&#39;s the risk that barrier portion  24  will be torn during expansion, increases force needed to deploy stent  20 , and decreases ability to recover stent  20  prior to full deployment of stent  20 . In some embodiments, stent  20  having a delivery diameter of 1 mm is deployed in a vessel having a diameter of 5 mm or more, requiring at least a 500% radial expansion of barrier. Barrier portion elastic expansions from delivery diameter to expanded diameter of 100% to 1,500% are contemplated. In one embodiment, barrier portion elastic expansion from delivery diameter to expanded diameter is greater than 100%. In another embodiment, barrier portion elastic expansion from delivery diameter to expanded diameter is greater than 250%. In another embodiment, barrier portion elastic expansion from delivery diameter to expanded diameter is greater than 500%. In another embodiment, barrier portion elastic expansion from delivery diameter to expanded diameter is greater than 750%. In another embodiment, barrier portion elastic expansion from delivery diameter to expanded diameter is greater than 1,000%. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments barrier portion  24  radially expands from barrier portion delivery diameter to barrier portion expanded diameter by a combination of elastic and plastic deformations during deployment and expansion of stent  20 . This mode of expansion is particularly applicable for balloon expandable stents, where the motive expansile force provided by the balloon can overcome the barrier portion resistance to radial expansion. In some embodiments, stent  20  having a delivery diameter of 1 mm is deployed in a vessel having a diameter of 5 mm or more, requiring at least a 500% radial expansion of barrier. Barrier portion plastic deformations from delivery diameter to expanded diameter of 100% to 1,500% are contemplated. In one embodiment, barrier portion plastic deformation from delivery diameter to expanded diameter is greater than 100%. In another embodiment, barrier portion plastic deformation from delivery diameter to expanded diameter is greater than 250%. In another embodiment, barrier portion plastic deformation from delivery diameter to expanded diameter is greater than 500%. In another embodiment, barrier portion plastic deformation from delivery diameter to expanded diameter is greater than 750%. In another embodiment, barrier portion plastic deformation from delivery diameter to expanded diameter is greater than 1,000%. 
         [0037]    Barrier portion  24  is comprised of pores  26 . Pores may be sufficiently small to prevent atheroma from traversing barrier portion  24  through pores  26  and subsequent embolization into distal tissues. The size of embolus that must be prevented is related to the anatomy of downstream tissue beds within which the embolus will lodge. For example, it is known that large emboli, on the order of 1,000 microns in diameter, can occlude branch arteries resulting in ischemia to the tissue supplied with blood by the artery. Small emboli, on the order of 50 microns in diameter, can occlude retinal arteries resulting in ischemia to the eye and at least partial blindness. 
         [0038]    Pore size can be characterized as equal to the diameter of a circle having the same area as the area bounded by the perimeter of a pore.  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B, and  3 C illustrate portions of barrier portions  30   a ,  30   b , and  30   c  having pores  32   a ,  32   b , and  32   c  of various shapes. The pores  32   a ,  32   b , and  32   c  have perimeters (illustrated by bolded line in the figures)  34   a ,  34   b , and  34   c  and area&#39;s  36   a ,  36   b , and  36   c  enclosed by perimeters  34   a ,  34   b , and  34   c  respectively. Barrier portion  30   a  is comprised of interwoven filaments, barrier portion  30   b  is comprised of a film, in some embodiments a polymer film, having regularly spaced openings extending through the thickness of the film, and barrier portion  30   c  is comprised of a film, in some embodiments a cast polymer film, having irregularly spaced openings extending through the thickness of the film. 
         [0039]    For all of the barrier portions having pores within the scope of this invention one can calculate an average pore size and a range of pore sizes using established statistical techniques. Barrier portion pore sizes of 40 microns to 3,000 microns, and barrier portion range of pore sizes within ±25% of the average pore size to within ±1% of the average pore size are contemplated. In one embodiment, barrier portion has a pore size of 2,500 microns. In another embodiment, barrier portion has a pore size of 1,500 microns. In another embodiment, barrier portion has a pore size of 1,000 microns. In another embodiment, barrier portion has a pore size of 750 microns. In another embodiment, barrier portion has a pore size of 500 microns. In another embodiment, barrier portion has a pore size of 250 microns. In another embodiment, barrier portion has a pore size of 125 microns. In another embodiment, barrier portion has a pore size of less than 80 microns. In yet another embodiment, barrier portion has a range of pore sizes within ±25% of the average pore size. In another embodiment, barrier portion has a range of pore sizes within ±15% of the average pore size. In another embodiment, barrier portion has a range of pore sizes within ±10% of the average pore size. In another embodiment, barrier portion has a range of pore sizes within ±5% of the average pore size. 
         [0040]    Stents  20  in accordance with the present invention have a percentage open area when expanded. With reference to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , the percentage open area of stent  20  is defined as the (area of barrier portion  24  pores  42  minus the area of barrier portion pores occluded by structural portion  22  struts  44 , for example, pore  46 ) all divided by the surface area of expanded stent  20  (defined as length of expanded stent L times diameter of expanded stent D times 3.14). Expanded stent percentage open areas of 65% to 95% are contemplated. In one embodiment, expanded stent percentage open area is 70%. In another embodiment, expanded stent percentage open area is 75%. In another embodiment, expanded stent percentage open area is 80%. In another embodiment, expanded stent percentage open area is 85%. In another embodiment, expanded stent percentage open area is 90%. 
         [0041]    Several examples of suitable barrier portions are now described.  FIG. 5A  illustrates tubular barrier portion  54  in a delivery diameter comprised of a sheet or film of material having lines of weakness  52 ,  56 . Lines of weakness  52  open to form pores when barrier portion  54  is expanded ( FIG. 5B ). Tubular barrier portion can be made by etching, cutting, electrodeposition onto a substrate or removable mandrel, physical deposition onto a substrate or removable mandrel, casting, or other methods. Lines of weakness  56  provide bending flexibility about longitudinal axis of barrier portion. In one example, shown expanded in  FIG. 5C , barrier portion  54  is comprised of connected cellular elements  57  having struts  58 . 
         [0042]    Barrier portion sheet or film may be comprised of metal including but not limited to Nitinol, stainless steel, gold, platinum, and cobalt-chromium alloy; or polymer including but not limited to ePTFE, polyurethane, polycarbonate urethane, polyethylene, polyethylene oxide, silicone, oriented polymer films made from material such as polyester, polylactic acid, and polyglycolic acid. Lines of weakness may be partial thickness of through thickness cuts, openings, slits, slots, perforations, thinned regions, laser cut holes, or other zones that will form an opening when expanded from delivery diameter to expanded diameter. Barrier portion thicknesses between 0.0002″ and 0.005″ are contemplated. In one example, barrier portion thickness is 0.0005″. In another example, barrier portion thickness is 0.001″. In another example, barrier portion thickness is 0.0015″. In another example, barrier portion thickness is 0.002″. In another example, barrier portion thickness is 0.003″. 
         [0043]    Lines of weakness in barrier portion sheet or film may be made by laser cutting, chemical etching, stamping, cutting, piercing, laser drilling, or other means. In one embodiment, a barrier portion sheet or film having lines of weakness is made by electroforming on a mold and removing the mold. In another embodiment, a barrier portion sheet or film having lines of weakness is made by casting a mixture of polymer and dissolvable salts followed by removal of cast-in dissolvable elements. 
         [0044]    Barrier portion  54  may be comprised of a tubular shape as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5B . When assembled onto structural portion  22  tubular shape barrier portion  54  has high reliability and low cost because the assembly requires no seam(s) in the barrier portion. Barrier portion may also be comprised of flat sheet or ribbon shapes as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6G .  FIG. 6A  illustrates barrier portion  64   a  comprised of a rectangular shape, and  FIG. 6B  illustrates stent  60   b  comprised of barrier portion  64   a  assembled onto structural portion  22  (not shown) and having seam  66   b .  FIG. 6C  illustrates barrier portion  64   c  comprised of a parallelogram shape, and  FIG. 6D  illustrates stent  60   d  comprised of barrier portion  64   c  assembled onto structural portion  22  (not shown) and having seam  66   d .  FIG. 6E  illustrates barrier portion  64   e  comprised of an irregular shape, and  FIG. 6F  illustrates tapered stent  60   f  comprised of barrier portion  64   e  assembled onto structural portion  22  (not shown) and having seam  66   f .  FIG. 6G  illustrates stent  60   g  comprised of ribbon shaped barrier portion  64   g  assembled onto structural portion  22  (not shown) and having seam  66   g . For any of these configurations the barrier portion can extend over all of or over a portion of the length of structural portion  22 . In one embodiment, the barrier portion extends over the central portion only of structural portion and the ends of structural portion may be not covered by barrier. 
         [0045]    Barrier portion  64   a ,  64   c ,  64   e ,  64   g  seams  66   b ,  66   d ,  66   f ,  66   g  can be made by adhesive bonding (where barrier portions at least partially overlap), adhesive bridging (where barrier portions do not overlap), heat bonding, welding, solvent bonding, mechanical interlock, and other methods. 
         [0046]    Barrier portions  24 ,  30   a ,  30   b ,  30   c ,  54 ,  64   a ,  64   c ,  64   e ,  64   g , and others in the shape of tubes, sheets, films, strips, or other shapes can be attached to structural portion  22  in a variety of ways. Barrier portions can be adhesively bonded, solvent bonded, soldered, brazed, welded, sintered, mechanically interlocked, fused, tied, overmolded, thermoformed, or otherwise fixedly or slideably attached. Adhesive bonding can be accomplished with or without use of primers or bonding layers. Biologically active materials may be incorporated into the bonding substances and release kinetics of the biologically active materials can be tailored to the anatomical site and to the disease being treated. For example, bonding layers may comprise sirolimus, ABT-578, zotarolimus, tacrolimus, picrolimus, pimecrolimus, everolimus, biolimus A 9, paclitaxel, analogs to these drugs, estrogens (including 17 B Estradiol), Progesterone, anticoagulants, heparinoids, anti-restenotic drugs, steroids, immunosuppressants, anti-inflammatory drugs, antineoplastic drugs, and other drugs. Barrier portion can be attached to structural portion  22  at one or both ends only, at discrete points along the length of the barrier, over some or all of the length of the barrier, over some or all of the circumference of the barrier, or at other regions. Barrier portion may be unattached to structural portion  22 , and barrier portion may be self contracting in relation to structural portion so as to effect a compressive force onto some or all of structural portion  22 . In one embodiment, ends of barrier portion and structural portion may be successively dipped into a cleaning solution, a flux, a soldering paste, and a salt bath to effect a soldered connection between barrier portion and structural portion. In another embodiment, structural portion is coated with gold brazing alloy, barrier portion is brought into contact with brazing alloy, and heat is applied so as to braze the portions together. In another embodiment the amount and characteristics of the brazing alloy and the processing conditions may be adjusted to prevent flow of brazing alloy into pores of barrier portion except for in pores adjacent to structural portion. In yet another embodiment, solder mask or temperature control is used to prevent flow of solders into some regions of barrier portion. 
         [0047]    To assist with attachment of barrier portion to structural portion, structural portion may be provided with tabs, protrusions, surface roughness, or other structure to enhance or provide mechanical attachment of the 2 layers. Structural portion, barrier portion, or both may be provided with attachment zones that provide for enhanced attachment of the portions at one or more regions along their length or circumference. Attachment zones or other means may be used to register the alignment of barrier portion relative to structural portion so as to effect desired characteristics of expansion, flexibility, radiopacity, or other characteristics. In one embodiment ( FIGS. 7A and 7B ) barrier portion  74  is mechanically interlocked to structural portion  72  by rivet  71 . Rivet may be comprised of metal, polymer, or other material and is fixedly attached to structural portion  72  by frictional forces. Rivet  71  may be comprised of radiopaque materials including gold, platinum, tungsten, and other materials. In some embodiments rivet  71 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7A , may have cross sectional shapes other than circular, including but not limited to square, rectangular, ovoid, and elliptical. 
         [0048]    Barrier portion can be attached to structural portion using degradable materials including polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, polyethylene oxide, and other materials. Biologically active materials may be incorporated into the degradable materials and release kinetics of the biologically active materials can be tailored to the anatomical site and to the disease being treated. For example, barrier portions may comprise sirolimus, ABT-578, zotarolimus, tacrolimus, picrolimus, pimecrolimus, everolimus, biolimus A 9, paclitaxel, analogs to these drugs, estrogens (including 17 B Estradiol), Progesterone, anticoagulants, heparinoids, anti-restenotic drugs, steroids, immunosuppressants, anti-inflammatory drugs, antineoplastic drugs, and other drugs. Barrier portion may also be comprised of a coating of biodegradable polymer, drugs including those listed above, or both. Barrier portion may comprise surfaces conducive to cellular overgrowth or cellular attachment or both. In one embodiment barrier portion is comprised of a coating of bioadhesive polyphenolic proteins suitable for use as a cell attachment factor such as collagen, chondroitin sulfate A, fibronectin, gelatin, laminin, vitronectin, and the like. In another embodiment barrier portion is comprised of micromachined or etched surface structure having a porous layer comprised of openings in the range of 5-30 microns. 
         [0049]    Barrier layers can be sandwiched between 2 or more structural layers and any of the 2 or more layers may be registered relative to one another to effect desired characteristics of expansion, flexibility, radiopacity, or other characteristics. Structural layers can be sandwiched between 2 or more barrier layers and any of the 2 or more layers may be registered relative to one another to effect desired characteristics of expansion, flexibility, radiopacity, or other characteristics. 
         [0050]    Barrier portion may be comprised of interwoven filaments in forms such as braids, knits, chain link; may be comprised of non-woven fiber mats or felts; or may have other filamentous structures. Filaments may be comprised of metals such as stainless steel, Nitinol, cobalt chrome alloy, platinum, gold, or other metals; may be comprised of polymers such as polyethylene, polyurethane, silicone, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, cellulose, collagen, or may be comprised of other materials. Fibers may be produced by spinning, electrospinning, drawing, extrusion, epitaxial growth, or other means, and may be prepared in bulk for later attachment to structural member or may be applied directly to structural member as part of the process for forming the fibers. In one embodiment barrier portion  84  is comprised of filaments  88  woven into a chain link structure having axis  85 .  FIG. 8A  illustrates barrier portion  84  in expanded configuration having filament spacings  87   a  at filament bend points and  FIG. 8B  illustrates barrier portion  84  in contracted configuration having filament spacings  87   b  at filament bend points (for clarity, only a portion of filaments are illustrated in  FIG. 8B ). Filament spacings  87   b  may be greater than filament spacings  87   a , and due in part to this aspect of barrier portion  84  it is possible to greatly contract barrier portion  84  in a direction normal to axis  85  with little or no length change in a direction parallel to axis  85 . In one embodiment barrier portion  84  is woven from metal filaments on a braiding machine and barrier portion  84  is attached to structural portion  22  with axis  85  oriented parallel to axis of structural portion. In another embodiment barrier portion  84  is woven from metal filaments on a braiding machine and barrier portion  84  is attached to structural portion  22  with axis  85  oriented normal to axis of structural portion. 
         [0051]    In another embodiment ( FIGS. 9A and 9B ) stent  90  comprises barrier portion  94  having linear filaments  98  attached to surface of structural portion  22 . filaments  98  may be oriented parallel to axis of stent  90  or may be oriented at an angle relative to axis of stent  90 . Filaments  98  may be separated by gap  97  when stent is expanded. Gap allows stent  90  to be contracted into a delivery diameter without dislodging filaments from surface of structural member. In one embodiment filaments have a diameter of 25 microns and gap equals 100 microns when stent  90  is at a maximum expanded diameter. 
         [0052]    Barrier portion can be comprised of bridges of material attached to stent structural portion.  FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate stent  100  comprised of structural portion  102  and barrier portion  104 . Structural portion  102  is comprised of cells  106  having perimeter  105 . Barrier portion  104  is comprised of elasticly or plasticly deformable material attached at 2 or more places along perimeter of structural portion. Barrier portion  104  may be comprised of metals such as stainless steel, Nitinol, cobalt chrome alloy, platinum, gold, or other metals; may be comprised of polymers such as polyethylene, polyurethane, silicone, polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, cellulose, collagen, or may be comprised of other materials. In  FIG. 10A  stent  100  is illustrated in an unexpanded configuration, for example in a delivery configuration, and barrier portion has a short length that spans the open space in cell  106 . In  FIG. 10B  stent  100  is illustrated in an expanded configuration, for example in an implanted configuration, and barrier portion has a longer length than in  FIG. 10A  that spans the open space in cell  106 . Barrier portions  104  together with perimeter of structural portion cells  106  form pores  108  in stent  100 . In another embodiment some or all of structural portion cell  106  is filled with polymer material attached to cell perimeter  105 . Expansion of structural portion  102  causes polymer portion to fracture yet remain attached to perimeter  105 , thereby creating pores  108  at polymer fracture sites. 
         [0053]    Delivery systems suitable for a stent having reduced passage of emboli into a lumen when deployed may be comprised of over-the wire (OTW) and rapid exchange (RX) systems.  FIGS. 11A ,  11 B and  11 C illustrate one example of an OTW delivery system  110  comprised of self expanding stent  112  having reduced passage of emboli and self expanding stent delivery catheter  115  comprised of sheath  117 , proximal handle  118   p  and distal handle  118   d . Stent  112  is deployed by sliding handles closer together, thereby withdrawing sheath  117  proximally and uncovering stent  112 , allowing stent to self-expand.  FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate stent  112  in an unexpanded delivery configuration and  FIG. 11C  illustrates stent  112  in an expanded deployed configuration.  FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate one example of an RX delivery system comprised of self expanding stent  122  having reduced passage of emboli (not shown) within lumen of sheath and self expanding stent delivery catheter  125  comprised of sheath  127 , guidewire exit skive  129 , guidewire  121 , proximal handle  128   p  and distal manifold  128   d . Stent  122  is deployed by sliding proximal handle  128   p  and distal manifold  128   d  closer together, thereby withdrawing sheath  127  proximally and uncovering stent  122 , allowing stent to self-expand.  FIG. 13  illustrates one example of an OTW delivery system  130  comprised of balloon expandable stent  132  having reduced passage of emboli in a partially expanded configuration, catheter shaft  135  having balloon inflation lumen (not shown), balloon  131 , and inflation hub  133 . Stent  132  is deployed by connecting inflation device (not shown) to hub  133  and pressurizing catheter lumen with fluid or gas so as to expand balloon  131  thereby expanding stent  132 .  FIG. 14  illustrates one example of an RX delivery system  140  comprised of balloon expandable stent  142  having reduced passage of emboli in a partially expanded configuration, catheter shaft  145  having balloon inflation lumen (not shown), guidewire exit skive  149  in catheter shaft  145 , balloon  141 , and inflation hub  143 . Stent  142  is deployed by connecting inflation device (not shown) to hub  143  and pressurizing catheter lumen with fluid or gas so as to expand balloon  141  thereby expanding stent  142 . Suitable stent delivery catheter designs include but are not limited to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,814,746 “Implant Delivery System With Marker Interlock”, U.S. Pat. No. 6,623,491 “Stent Delivery System with Spacer Member”, Patent Application No. PCT/US2006/018356 “Implant Delivery System With Interlocked Rx Port Orientation” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/800,106 “Implant and Delivery System with Multiple Marker Interlocks”, the contents of which being incorporated in their entirety herein by reference. 
         [0054]    An exemplary method of using a stent having reduced passage of emboli into a lumen when deployed is now described. A guidewire is advanced into a patient&#39;s femoral artery using known techniques, through a patient&#39;s vessel and past a treatment site. An inventive stent (for example stent  122 ) is loaded onto a stent delivery system (for example, system  125 ) and introduced over the guidewire into the patient&#39;s vessel. The stent and stent delivery system combination is advanced over the guidewire and through the patients vessel until the stent is located at a treatment site, for example within a stenosis in a carotid artery. Stent  122  is deployed by sliding proximal handle  128   p  and distal manifold  128   d  closer together, thereby withdrawing sheath  127  proximally and uncovering stent  122 , allowing stent to self-expand. In some embodiments, before the sheath is completely withdrawn from the stent an operator can advance the sheath distally so as to recapture the stent. This is possible because the barrier portion provides a smooth covering over the structural portion of the stent so that the distal end of the sheath will not become mechanically entangled with the structural portion. Recapture of a stent is desirable when the operator wishes to change the eventual deployed position of the stent or for other reasons. Stent delivery system  125  is then withdrawn through the patient&#39;s vessel and out of the patient&#39;s body. 
         [0055]    Another exemplary method of using a stent having reduced passage of emboli into a lumen when deployed is now described. A guidewire is advance into a patient&#39;s femoral artery using known techniques, through a patient&#39;s vessel and past a treatment site. An inventive stent (for example stent  132 ) is loaded onto a stent delivery system (for example, system  130 ) and introduced over the guidewire into the patient&#39;s vessel. The stent and stent delivery system combination is advanced over the guidewire and through the patients vessel until the stent is located at a treatment site, for example within a stenosis in a carotid artery. Stent  132  is deployed by inflating balloon  131  thereby causing stent to expand. Stent delivery system  135  is then withdrawn through the patient&#39;s vessel and out of the patient&#39;s body. 
         [0056]    While this document has described an invention mainly in relation to vascular stenting, it is envisioned that the invention can be applied to other conduits in the body as well including arteries, veins, bronchi, ducts, ureters, urethra, and other lumens intended for the passage of air, fluids, or solids. 
         [0057]    While the various embodiments of the present invention have related to stents and stent delivery systems, the scope of the present invention is not so limited. Further, while choices for materials and configurations may have been described above with respect to certain embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the materials described and configurations are applicable across the embodiments.