CA2204771C

CA2204771C - Expandable stent using sliding members

Info

Publication number: CA2204771C
Application number: CA002204771A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Paul J. Fordenbacher
Original assignee: Scimed Life Systems Inc
Current assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
Priority date: 1994-11-07
Filing date: 1995-09-29
Publication date: 2003-07-15
Anticipated expiration: 2015-09-29
Also published as: EP0790811A1; DE69530507D1; US5733328A; EP0790811B1; CA2204771A1; ATE238011T1; US5549662A; EP0790811A4; DE69530507T2; WO1996014030A1

Abstract

The present invention provides a lumen support device (10), or stent, used to open or expand a body lumen. The stent (10) incorporates elongated parallel stent components (23) with circumferential members (20), fingers, which weave into paired slots (30) of an adjacent stent component. This weave-like interlocking configuration enables the stent (10) to expand radially without yielding or plastically deforming the material of which the stent is fabricated. The weave-like mechanism allows for uniform, smooth expansion without change in longitudinal dimensions for the complete assembly. Once assembled, the plurality of parallel elongated stent components form a cylindrical configuration.

Description

~Y-06-97 TJE ~:'7 h,lVID~S RRRETT ST_iNKRP.lS FP~ 1~f). p 17/57 WO g~rl4030 ' P ~ t12~r9 ~ANDA~LE STENT U~;ING SLI~ING ~MBERS

liack~-i of ~c IL~vc.lt;on l~i3 ~1clllio~ rcla~Les to in~l~in~1 stent imrl~nr~ for In~mt~inin~
~uppor~ of a body lumen. It c~ p~ses an ~ cn~ and ~1t~ r~ desig~ to steDts which are generally c~!-r,~ n shape and have a pl~l:y of me~ elLll~f~
jom~d to perm~t fle~ of ~e stent along ~e lor,v,~ ",~ . s allowi~ ~t to canfo~m tothe ~ s of the ~er wall of the targeted lume~.
An ~l~t use of met~ ste~sts ;.s found in si~}atio~s wherE part of 10 the vessel wall or stew~c plaqT~e ~locks or occlude~ ~laod flow in tke ~rcssel.
Normally a ball~n catheter is utilized i~ a per~utane~ c~11min~l u)~r ar.~ioplas~r ~PTCA) procedùre ~o eD~arge the occlu~ed portion of t,he vcssel.
Howeve~, ~e di~ahO~l of the occlusion can form flaps, fissures and Ai~5e~ L15 which thre2ten re-clo~re of ~e dilat~d vessel or eYen ~clfoiatio~s in the vessel waIl.Implant~tion of stents can provide suppo~ for slch prc~lem~ 2nd preveJit ~eclosure of the vessel or provide patch re~air for a peiro~dhd vesse~. The stent O~ClCC~Ii~S
the ~eur~l tenan~y of ~e vessel w~lls of some ~atien~c to collapse~ thercby m~Ult~inin~ 3. m{~re no~mal flow of b~ood ~oug~ that Yes~el than woul~ be pos~i~le if ~e stent ~ere ~ot in pla~e.
An P~mrl~ of prior de~eloped metal SteIltsh~s been described i~ the a~icle of Stiocna~7 et ~1. titled "Lr~travascular Stens To ~revent Occlusion a~
RPstPn~sic af~er Tr~nc~ gioplas~yn, published in the New England Jo~
af Medicine, Vol, ~16, No. 12, Mar. 1~, 1981, pa~es 701-70~. This stent is the fo~n of a "Ch;nese fim~er k~ Ç~rrl met~ c mesh ~rhich can be ex~n~ , a~
cc,ll.yrcsscd ~ di~m~r~ Thc 5tent 15 made by cu~ing d~sired len~s f~oln an elongated nlbe of metal me~h an~, acc~ li,tgly, has the disadva~tage t~lar~netalprongs from the cut~ng process re~ain at t~.e lon~ in~l ends ther~of. ~he iIlherent n~idity of ~he metal used ~ ~orm the st~nt toge~er with these ~fnrlin~1 prongs make navigation of ~ ood vessçls to the locus of t~e lesio~ d}ff~cu}~ as wcll as nsk~from ~e ~dpo.--t of injuIy to heal~hy tissue alon~ ~e passage to t:~e target ~essel.
~hen t~e s~nt is pCllll~Ci. ,~tly placed in a Yessel~ the c~ v~s strcss from ~e flow of ~hc fluid wi~ e Yessel could cause the prongs to da~age thc ~fessel walls ~dide,l.,, ~ ~e lesion.

rlHY-UO-~ / I U~ I ~J; I Hl~! 'Y l ~ ; tlKitt~ kJ~ N~ 57 WO ~&~4034 ~/U~5~1~79 Another ~pe of metal stent ~nv~l~es a m~e of st~inless wire braid.
I~ing inscrtion, the tu~e is positioned al~ng a delivery deviceJ suc~ a~ a cathe~er, i~ F~ cd fomn, ~ru~g ~he nlbe ~ t~r as smal! as possible. When Ihe stent is n-od acloss ~e lesion, it is e~F~n~d~ CaUSiDgThel~gth of ~ tube to contract 5 and ~he ~ t~'r tO e~pand. I)~y~ T;l~g on ~e m~ten~Ts used ~ co~ l;u~ of the stc~t, the t~be Tn'in~iT1C the new shape either ~rough mec~l~ni~l ~or~e or osher~ ,se. The ~l~ti~n ~ the length is .~ c;l~ e due to ~he defc~l"~O~ . of ~e stent, ~he ~nnn~ d~ abrasion on the ~er wa~l and ~he ~r~i~L~Ie covera~e when f~l'y m ~lace.
An ~ ljtinn~l fo~n Of mctal s~e~ is a hea~ err~n~ble de~ice usi~g ~itmol or a tin-coa~ed, he~t e~ J-blc coil. The stent is delivered to the ~ffected area on a catheter capable of recei~fing huled fluids. Once properly ~ t~.tl, hea~ed saline is pa~sed ~ro~l~h ~e portion of the c~theter on which ~he stent is Toc~ted, caus~.o ~he s~c~t to e~p~nd. ~lumerous diffi~ulties h~ve been c.lcuuut~.~d ~!ith ~is lS dev~ce, ;~ di~ fficuly in ob~irling reli~b~e e~ n~iu~ d difficu~.~ies i nl~i"~ ng ~e stent in i~s ex~n~d s~te.
A popul~r rnetal stent is th Palraa~ st~nt. ~t ~ olves z sta~nless steel cyl~nder having a n~lm~er of siits ~n its cil.~.nfe,e;~cc, res~lting in a mesh when expanded. Ttle Sr~inless 5~2el cylinder is deli~ered to the aff -cted area by mean~ o~ a 20 balloon ~atheter, and is thcn e~J~d to ~he pr~per si~e.
Sten~ ~an be dcploycd in a body lumc~ ~y means a~. v~ le to the.
tesi~n. One such ~neehod would be to fi~ ~e collapsed ste:~ oYer an ir~lata~le eielnent of a ~alloon cathctcr and expand the balloon to force ~e stem into contact wi~h the Sody l~en. AS the bal}oon is inf~ated, ~he prcble~n rnaeerial in tl~e vessel 25 is COL~1~J~S~ed in ~ direceion g~nerally p~ adiçular t~ ehe wall of ~he vessel which, con~qu~;~tly, dllates ~.e ~resSe, to f~r;li~t~ blood flo~ the~ethrough. R~dial eXp~ ;on of ~he cor~ y ar~ery occurs ~n se~eral differ~nt dim~nci~ne and is related to ~e n~ture ~ the pla~uc. Sof., fa~y plaque d~posits are fl~t~ y ~e bal:loon asld hardened deposi~s are cracked snd split to eD:~arge ehe lu~cn. Ii is des~rable t~~0 h~ve ~e ste~t radially exp~d in an u~iform ma~ner.
ati~,~ly, the stent may ~e mollnt~d o-tO a ~a~eter which holds ~e stent as it is deli~ered th~h ~c ~ody !umen ~d ~her~ re!eases ~e stel~t a~ld aIlows it ~o e~pand ~to contaa wi~h the body lumerl. This deployment is effected MRY-U6-9i I'U~ 17 hM '~ID~S PRRETT STEIN~P.US FP.X NO. ?. 1~i~7 CA 0220477l l997-05-07 WOg6~14030 ~ n~9 aft~t;hesteD~t}lasbeenu~u~u~d ~.c~ co~ JUltt~ 1"~ 11yand posi~ion~A at a des~d location by me~ns of the ca~ete~.
tt is ~esirable to pronde a stent that has ~urrlCi~ lCluSdl;IltCgrlty to ~e placed wi~ a ~esse1 at ~e site of a stenotic lesion, o~ the lL~oe, to5uppo~ thc ~essel wall a~t col~ and yet is ~lexible a~d compl~ant e~ough for ~afe and e~ elive~ to d~e 5ite o~ a~ o~sl~u~lion. It would ~lso be desi~ble to provide stent whi~:h is soft and CGulyl~ enough to avoid a~erial rupt~e or a~
~liJ,~r;~ at ~he ends of ~e stent eYen when exposed to c~n~ s stresses from ~e bea~g hea}~ durl~ chronic imrlo,l~
S~ r~ dif~ ties have been . .. ~ .,teL~ wiTh ~I pnor art stents.
haS }t.S PO~L~ ge of iLY",-hosic, l~srf ~nsi~ ant tissue ~-growth, as well as va~ in~ de~xs of difficul~ ~n deployment. A~o~2er difficulty wi~ a~ least some of pnor a~t stents ISthat ~ey do not readily C3nfOlm tothe vessel shape. The relatively long leng~h of some prior art stents has made it difficuit to treat cli~ed vesselst and 15 ~2as aIso effectively }Jle~c~5~ cec~ mrt~ntPti~Tl of multiple such stenes. S~en~s illu~lat~ in the prior aIt ~cend to go throu~h plasnc deforrna~on dun~ çxI-~n~ion and as a result ~c e~p~n~ion device does not expa~d Im;Fomlly to the shape ~f the targeted lumen. Thus ~ere 2S a need for an er~ccti~re stent that Tn~int~ s an open vesse~, is easily deltvered to ~e aff~cted area, one ~ is easi~y eYp~n~l to a 20 desi~ed si2e, and m~j11r~incthats~~~ easily confo~ns to the shape of the effected vessel, and is easily used ~n multiples totreat ctlrved vcssels and va~ing lengths of ~esions. The stent should ra~t alter in len~th dunng expansion or ~nc~ ate plas;ic d fonsl2tion durin~ sudt uni~or~s2 e~nsion.
~ he art referred to ~d/or des~ribed a~ovc is ;~otin~P~ o ~O~J~iL~I~e dmi.~sion tha~ any patent, publication or u~er ir~"n~tion referred to herein is "pnor art" wi~ ~espect to this ~en~on. ~n ~ i~ tbis section should not be ~oS~s~ed to mear. ~at a search has been made or ~ha~ ~o o~cr pertinent info..i.~Li~n as deff~ed iIt 37 C.P.~. 1.~a) exis~s.

M~Y-06-97 TUE 10:18 P.M V15~ P.~.~E~T STEl~IKRPUS F~'~ N0. P.20~'~7 WO9~14030 ~ S~L~79 ~ .
S~ ". -. ~ of ~e I~
The present i~ on p..JYidcs a lumien sllpport derice, or a stent.
used t~ ope~ or e2pand a body lumen. Thc stcnt ~co,~o-~s el~-n~te~ parallel ste~ C~LJ~,~ with ,,~ic~ n~~ .a, f~ge~, w~ic.h weaYe ultO paired slots of an ad~.c~nt ste~t c~ r~Pllt The St~ co~ tes these s1iding eletnP~s, ~at is these pr~;e~ or ~gers, su;h that ~y slide ~rough paIred slots ir~ a weave-l~ke ~lL.loc~n~ co~f~ en~l~g the stent to e~pan~ r~i~y Wi~tlt yieldi~g or pl~ ly d~o~in~ the material of whlch ~e ~tent ~s ~r;~ted, A
selies of p~ sl~ts allow for t;h~ inserti~n of a serics of ~h~ fingers. I~e f'~ers 10 may utili~ ,huy m~h~n~-n giYmg a con~olled tA~)a~iol~ with li~le or no rccoil or collapse. The slots also allow for unifonn, s~nooth ~ sion without ch~ge in ln~ ;"al dimensions of ~e comple~e assembly. Once ~srrnh~, the plurali~r of parallel rl~n~ d sten; co..~...,~s fonn ~ cylindrie~l con~sgur~tion. The asse;n~ly is c~ s~ radially ~y hl'y sliding ~e ~ers throu~ the slots. The 1~ asscmbly is eYp~n~ed wi~ eidler th~ help OI a ballDon ca~heter, by ~he material's el~stic rc~ e, or bo~.
A stent form~ in acco~ ce with the prcsent invention is e~r~d~hie from a reduced dip~terco~ ratioll~ which fa~ tPs deli~ery to the site of a t~ge~ed ol~u~-ion, to an eYp?~ onfiguralion when disposed w~hin the targeted ~0 ar~a of ~he vessel. Ihe de~ice is deliv~red using a ,~exutaneous sr~r~slu.n~lcatheter device which may or may not u~col~o-d~e ~rl ~rflatable balloon us~d ~o exp~l~d the sterlt. De3ivered to the locus of a Icsion in ~s reduced d;~me~er co~ r~lion on ~e dis~l end of an expandable czthetcr, the slen~ can be expanded in vivo to it~ i~ppc.~g ~lRm~er by e~n~ the ~xpa~ble portion of ~s 2~ dSSOCI&II;~ cathete~. The e~ ;on may be acco~rlich~d th~ough a ~ailoon cathete~
or hy us~ self-eY~7~ing m~ial, the weaYe~ e f~gers bcing wi~S~drawn through ~e paired slot E~ an arrested posi~n. A~y pla~e or the l~lce can be col,~pr~ed at the t~me of s~ent rl~r~ The fea~res of th~ invcn~ion maloe it pussible t~
provide a s~ent able to support body lumens ~d cu.~fo~ to curYes or i~r~gula.-ities ~0 in body lumens ~out losmg its fonn~tio-~ or its loQg~ me~Cion~.
It is an oyect of the presen~ iv~ ~o provide ~ s~ent havin~
l~n~ in~l flex~ y w~ich a~lows it to confo~n tO ~u~ves and 1,~ariations ~n body lumeDs.

MAY-06-97 TUE 1~ M V1~S .9RRETI ~TFi~ X Nn ~.21~57 WO 96/'14030 P~,l/TJS95JI2S79 It ~, another object of the invention to a~l,ow gtent e~ nc;o~ ~rithou2 it~,C~lpO~a~g plastic ~ r,-, .r",ti,-,n .
It ~s also ~ ob~ect of t~e ~Y~slif~ to prevent chan~e in le~ unng ~dial e~ io,. of tlle stc~t.
It is a f~er object of ~e present ~ LiOlltO provide a sten~ capable of bei3~ ;~"~,1"~"~, simply and Itliably~
Yet ~no~er object of the present i~_~iv-- is to provide a stent which can be selecti~ely si~ed in a~,~ he ,~ni~v~ conftgT~ratil~fn dictat2d by lhe lesion.
10O~er obj~ts, f~e~, ~d C~LCt~ ~S of ~e present ~vention, a~
well as the ~ h~Jdc of ~ ~ion an~ nr-ti~Ds of the related cl~ t~ of tbo ~h.~ , and th~ combination af parts and c~o~o~s of ~Arrl~f~ c~ ~ill ~ecome mo~e a~E,~c~t upon co..~ l;nn of the follo~g d~L.i,~nion with ~er~.~r~c to the ~oc~ ..y~g d~ , .gs, all of w~ch form a part of ~is sp~cii ;~
~nef D~ ion of d~e Figuxs Figure ~ shows a ~e.~cctive view of 2 ~Irst e~bodiment of the snven~ion accu.din~ to one preÇ~ u~lcli~n"i~ its expanded form;
Figure 2 shows ~ pla~ ~ICW of ~ firs~ stent coluponent of the ~Irst ste~t 20 embo l~~e.~t of Fig. l;
Fig~re 3 shows 1 plan Yiew of a second s~en~ co~ t of the first ste~t embod~ent Fig. l;
Figure 4 shows a detail ~iew of a sec~ion of the paired s1~ts at the end of thè fllrst s~nt embodsme~t of Pig. l, the vie~ bei~g ta~cen from ~ . 2;
Fi~ure ~ shows a plan view o~ a th;rd stent co~one~ ~f ~e fi~st stent embodiment of Fig. I;
Figure 6 shows a detail view of the p~ired slots of the first s~e~t - em~od~l.,c.J~ of F~g. 1, ~e view bemg ~en ~rom Fig. 3;
Figure 7 shows a ~ ,~ cti~ view of a s~cond e.nhoJ t ~ J~g 3~ to ano~her ~ ,.n of ~e ~Yention, in its eYp~n~e~ form;
Figure ~ shows a p~ar. view of a ~st ste~t cu~ of thc seco~
sten~ e~L of Fi~. 7;

M~Y-06-97 TUE ~0:18 ~M VID~S ~RRETT STEINKMUS F~X NC. ?.22~57 WO ~1~30 ~ 9~n2575 Flgure 9 s~ows a pian ~riew of a seco~d stent c~.."~ .l of the seoor.d stent embod~ 1 o~ Pig. 7;
Figure 10 shows a detail view of the paired slo~ portion of ~Le second stent ~mb~ti~ 't of Fig. 7, taken from ~i~. B a~d 9;
Figure 11 s~ows a cross scction of a detail view of ~e paired slots p~tio~ of ~e seeond ste~ e ..~ of Fig, 7, takea along l~ f Fig. 10;
Figure 12 s~ows a detail ~new of a lip ~sli~g m~c~ticm located at the en~ of a Illo~l;r~ed c~~ n~ber or Fmger ~ ch may be illew~latc~
in bo~ the first stent e'nho~ ~d secot~d stent em~l~.~e~t of ~igs 1 s~d 7, 10 ,cs~e. L~,~ly, as ~n al~.~li~.., to the ~traight, Elat e~ds: OI ~2e CL~ G1 ,ue~bc.~ shown in Figs 2, 3, 8 and g;
Figure 13 shows a de~il ~iew of a lip and c~tch ~.~li~g .~r~TI;s~
Iocated at ~e eI~d of a modified Cih~U1L~ C~;a1 me~ber or finger wb~ch may be in~;ul~ùlat~vd in both the f~ stent embod~ ellL and second stent ~,n~ L of Figs d 7, ~ Iy, as ~ all ~r;.c to r~e s~ ht, flat ends of the cir~ ;,l~ial b~ shown ~: ~igs 2, 3, 8 and ~; .
Fig~e 14 shows a detail view of a weave-like con~lgura~on in which a finger slides ~srough a paired s~ot used in both the first s~e~t e~nbodimf~ t ar,d ~e~ond stent embodimeM of Figs 1 a~d 7, l~s~ti-~ly;
Fi~ure 1~ s~ows a detaii view of a tapered or inc.~d width all~aLi~lg ,~ ni~."~ a~ t which m~y t~e used i;~ both the first stent emho~ and second s1ent embodullcnt of Figs 1 a~d 7, respectively;
Figure 1~ shows 2 d~tail view of an al~wLcad arresting m~ n;SII1 arl.d~C~Il ~hich snay bc used is~ bot~ ~e first S~ent ~rn1~ nt and second stent 25 embod llc..t of Fi~s 1 and 7, I~;s~ Li~
Fi~ure ~7 s~ows a detail view oF an end of a m~~ circlhDferell~ial lll&n~er which acts as a male piecc in a dL~np1e or deteM ~les~ng m~r.~n~crn, the fem~le piece of which is ~ ctra~çd in Figs. lg and 1~, which may be illcG-~ldt in the first and second stent embo~iments, ~i.~cLiv~,1y, as an ~ tive ~o the 30 strai~t, fl~t erlds af ~e ei~ idl m~nbers shown in ~i~s 2, 3, 8 and ~;
Figure 18 shows a c~oss section of a de~ail view of a .~hd;r~ paired sl~t which acts as a female portion of a d~mple or detent ~l~t~g ~l~b~ l whi~h MP~Y-~6-97 T~Jr~ 10: 19 PM ~IDAS ~YRETc~A~oTF2oN~R7h7lls ~997 ~0Y~-oi P. 2~/57 ... .
WO~6J14030 ~. lru~ s/~ s m~y be used in the second SteIIt C~b(~ L of Fig. 7, ta~cen along line 11-11 of Fig. 10;
Figu~e 19 show~ a cross see~on of the de~il ~iew of a modified p~ slot which acts as a ~ le portion of a ~imple or detent alL;"S~ ~h~n;~
5 which may be l.ued ~ ~he frst stent emb~l,~ of P~g. 1, takcrl alo~ line 13-~3 of Fig. ~i Fi~ure ?0 shows a detail view of ~n end of a mc~rlifi~ ~h~ul~fcr~
~,~be. which acts as a ~on~ex ~,e~ n~rhA~ and may be ~orpor~ted ~n the fir~t aJ~d second ste~t ern~im~ntc as an ~ ;v~ to ~e ~ ht, ~tat ends of the 0 Ci~w~lL~ .Ille~ll~L:I Sb.O~ in Figs ~, 3, 8 and 9, aDd Fi~ure 21 shous a detail view of a ld~ r~ ~LU~g ~nF.ch~nicm ~s~ conYe~c ~v~u u~ which may be ~sed i~ ~oth ~e first sten~ ~lnbod..u.,u~ and second stent ~ e ~t of Figs 1 and 7, respe~tively.

15 ~et~ d I~ iption of ~e ~n vention ~ e preseDt irevention relates to a radially eYr~n~ e stent used to open o~ cxp~.d a ~geted a~ea in a body lu~nen. lhe s~ent has a generally holiow cylindrsc~l shape ~ith open d~l and p,~im~ll ends as d~nnn~tratEd irs Figs 1 ~nd7. The cylindrical ~ody comprises a plurality of e~o~gah~ st~nt COI~;IJO~ ~hs~h 20 are i.~te.-o.L,-~c~ by me~ns of an irlterloc~ng weave-~ike ~ ;'lll The device is de~iver~ using a ~...,~ .r~ in~] catheecr deYice whic}~ or may not inCOI~O~a~e an ~nfIaT~Ie bal1OOn USed tO eXPar.d ~ S~nt. ThC ssenT iS deSigned ~o permit ncx~ng boTh r~dially and lor,~in~in~lly tO CO~fO~m tO the ~ Ved ~edy Of ~.e aPPIiCab1e 1U~e~.
~he Stent that iS ~e sLIbject Of thiS hV¢ntlOn ;nCOrPOr~teS a nUmber Of deSign ~ nC~ ~at Ut~iiZe the i3~erlock~g ~eaYe-like CO~fi~r~tinn. Fj~~ I
i11UStrate~ One ~1-;r~d deS;gn Of the PreSent in~entlOn, s~ferred to as ~e f~ st~nt en bOd~ . The stent, ~e~er~11Y deC;~A~A i~ F~g. 1, IL~O~?OI~ ,;iF(.l~ i mem~ r f~r,gerS 20 PGS;tIOn~ ~lOng e1an~ated stent CO~ LlS~ genera~1Y
30 dC~ t~d ~1, 22~ and ~3 ~a!so seen irl ~ igs. 2, 3; &! ~?. Upcn assembly of these c~-m~ts fi~ers 20 weaYe ~to paired slots 30 p~ ;L;n,~ alo~ ~ce~st ste~t c~,lL~)~ac,~ 2 a$ld 23 as showll in Fi~. 1. This interloclcing system is continued ~sing ~ 5irior~l parallel stent cl~mro~ents in which u~e Iast C4~1 rlt iS weaved ~f~Y-U~-~ IUk lU: iY ~.M 'IID~ RRR~:rl' Sl'EINKRR~!S r;~.X ~G, P. 24/57 ~4~96n4~34 PCTr~S95~1257g i~o ~hc f~ ~o~ nr to form a open ended hollow cyli~der cv~h~cLion of ~pprv~ e desiled A;~ l tt~r as sh~v~ in ~g. 1. This co~ uc inr~rl~;~n~
~eav~ wol~ radialIy expands while pO~ o~ ~ ~n the lume~ ~ugh ~e use of a ~alloon to a d~,~."~;,~ f~ ~r ~r ~ usc of sçlf-e~ n~.n~ m~
The first s~ent co~po~ own in P;g. 2 of ~c first s~t em~dL.IlL.i~ has a ~ rlfhnn~ 3I wi~ a plu~1i~ of pa~ of O~OSIl~
ci~ r~ 0 or finger~ e~kr~ n~liC~ ~r ~rom tEIe backbone 31. Paired slots 3û are positinn~d a~ong the ~ackbone 31 ~ ,..; ;"~ in posi~ion wie}
~e ciL~u~feL~ lial ~.lr.~i,~, b 20. The paired slots 30 as shown m Figs 4 a~d 6 are 10 parallel to each other an~ are IL~ear rel~tive to ti~e ~a~"- -~ 31 of the stent eo~ n~ ~l The ba.ckbone of stent coll~pon~lil 21 h~s a p~ al end 50 an~ a disealend 70. The pa~ slots 30 and the ch~c~~ e~1ial lile~ 20 ~lt~ r~ alor~g the backbone 31 starting wi~ a paired slot 30 at the pro~-al e~d 50 and conrl~d~s ~ith a pair of circu~nfere~ti~ ~r.~ 0 at ehe distal end 70.
e sEcond ste~t CO~pOll~t, gerler~lly ~ t~d 22, show~ u~ 3 is simila. ~ construceion to thas of SteM Cv~ly~)~le~t;~l e~cept ~or the order in whlc~
the plu~ of c~ferenti~l members L~ ?;Sld pa~red slots 30 are alternately position~ n s~ent wu~ nt 2~ the vrder star~s with a pair of ci~ f~r~nli~l member~ 2~ at ~e ~-o~i~L-al end ~ of b~rl~rho~P 1neL~ 32 ~nd ~rminates with a 2û p~ir of slo~ 30 at the dist~l end 70 of StCtlt c~mpcnent 22.
The thi:d ssent Co~ ener~lly desi~nated 23, ill~s~at~d in Fig.
5, also incolporates ar. e30ngated bacl~bonc 33 wl~l~ 2 plurali~ of pai~ed slots 30 ioned eq~ t~ntly alGng ~e en~ire length of ~he b~ ho~ 33. In i~s particular - stent C41npOI~Clll there are no cire~ c~Lial ~e~bP~ po~ilio"cd along ~e 2~ ~rj~oT~P
Combi~sed~ these ~ree slent eo~ on~rl~s 21, 22 ~d ~3 ~o~yu,~te sliding el~.nt~ tc c~ e a cylir~dric~l CQr~ guratiOn as show~i in FiQ. 1 The weav~g or int~-lnrl~ing l~.~t~n~ , iS achieved by slid~Lg the c, ~;u~fc.~
~J.)llL~,lS, or ~ngcrs 20, o~ one CO1~ 1t ~ough ti~e p~ slo~s 30 of a~oth~r 3û stent c~ on~t a~ ent to the fo~ner i~ a wea~e co;~r~ {~ on~ ~erally d~s;anA/~ d as 8~ ilt~ m Fig. 14. Irhis Inr~ .. euables ~e stent to expand r~dially without yield~llg or plastically ~o~ g ~e ~ trral of ~hich the ster~ isfabricated. T~e ~ lL.l.g ~ nfl~d config~lration is best seen isl Fig. 1.

M~Y-O~-Y~ ~UE lO:lg 14M ~ID~S ~RRET~A.Toil\K~4~17S, l99,F~X~NO07 P.25/57 WO g6114U30 Pc~llJS9~ 9 I~ the ~1 co~s~uc~on or assembly as show~ i~ Fig. 1, s~nt C~?o~_~ 21 is p~ e,~ a~d par~llel tO ste~l~ co~ponent 2~ a~d is con~cl~d thereto by way of the ~ nn~-~ weavc~ c ~ h~l-;C... 82 fom~ed of clr, P ~T~ 20 a~d ~0 S~e~t ~ y~ t 22 is po~itior~ ~ c~t and par~llel to s~nt S CO~lpO~ t ~3 ~nd col\n~ thereto by mea~s of ~ ~t~on.~ wcave-like 82 m~-h~.;h,.. of f~m~c~ 20 as~d slo~ 30. To close the s~en~ a~d create the cylin~ric~l shape from ~e indi~idual co~ ~. t~e oppos~g cl~ .e~Lial ..,~ -e~s 20 of stent CO~pOl~l 21 are weaved into the paired s~ots 30 of ~he ste~t Cv~Ol~C~Jt 23.
s~ C~ pO~ , ~ & '~3 form ~ ~ies of sler~t c~ on~ To 10 enlarge the potential d~,L~ of ~he ste~, another senes of ~he ~ree CO1I~0L~C~may be added in the sam~ manner as t~e first ~~es has ~een cQ~n~t ~ Fig. 1 illus~ates the ~e of two ~ries of ~por~ts closed to crea~e ~ cylindr~ca] sh~pc.
Stent ~ c~ 3 of ~.e final senes adde~ would be cv~ ctr~ ~o slent componeE~t 21 of ~e first series to ~nn~let~ the cylindrical stent conf~ ation~ this is re~erred 15 to as "closing" the sren~ to c~ate ~e cyl~dr~cai shapc fr~m ~e indiYidual par~s.
T~e po~cnt;al di~m~t~r of the stent may also be ulc;~d by ext~ the length of ~e fingm.
The paired slots 30 ~ o~s are st2ch th3t the finge~ 20 is ~eld via fric~ion tension or clamping gi~rm~ 8 controlled expansior~ with li~tle or no recoil ~r 20 col~apse. 'rhe slot ~-~e,.,~r~ u",vr~tes multsp~e parallel p~red slo~s 30 s~ that the fingets can weave through them ~ro~iding more contr~l over ~e sliding rnovement as sho~n in Fig. ~4 The cen~r por~ion 2g shas lics bctween ~he paired slots 30, as il~ustrated in Fsgs 4 and 6, may be raised or lowcred wi~h respe~ ~o she pla~e of tihe stent c~.n~olle-lL 21, 22 and ~3 as shown in Fig. 1. As the center piece ~5 29 be~ween paired slots 30 is ra}sed or lowered, the friction tensior~ di~ini~h~s, looç~ the weave-like ~r~nn~ctio~ 82 and ~h~s allowing ~e ~ngers 2U to slide more fre~ly throug~ ~e p~ired ~lots 30. The center pieoe ~9 may be raised or ~owered ~o ~.he ex~t that ~e friction te~sion between the ~mgcr 20 and ~ paired slot 30 is lose enough so as to allow ~se balloQn or eYp~n~ino me~ms t~ exp~nd the 30 stent, but ~ight euo~lgh so ag to pre~en~ the fmger 20 f-om W~h~ U!g as i~ resul~ of the ste~t's own P.,p~ o~ce or to prevcnt the s~eIll from cott~rsin~ u~der the p es2~ ., o~ the l~ne~ waIl.

M~Y-~6-97 TUE ~0:20 hM 'i~ S ~RI~ETcAs0~2l2~loK4~7~7~ ~997 0~ 07 R~26/57 WOgu~4030 PCTJ~Sg~q2579 f ..hl~ the ~ssembly ~orms ~e cylin~c~l hollow cQ.~f~ l ion as seen in ~ig. 1 and it can be c~ d ~adially ~3y fully sliding ~e fingers Zû through ~e s~ots 30 for ea~ ;on ;nto ~e lumen. ~4 assembly is All~f~ with eithe~ the help of a ~alloon cAthe~r, by the elas~c r.,D~ol~ of ~e rn~te~ ~l used, or bo~, ~e we~ve n~ n~ 82 allowing for Ia~ial er~.~r~
wi~lol~t c~ e m lor~ din~l d;~ ..s of the cuLu~ e asse~bly.
A se~oDL~ emb~nt, ~o,~ c referred ~o as ~he ~D~ stent em~odi-TIPnt is shown in Fig.~. This app~ tinn 0~ Yeavc~ r,.P~h)~
uti~izes at leas~ two fii~mll~r ~ a~d sten~ ~ompvr~ enerally de~ ,r.~l~ d 40 1~ and ~, shown in Fig's 8 ~ g, r.a~c~ively, a~ like the ~rst ster,t ernho~im~t of Fig. 1 ean be e~ Aed to larger ~ P~ b~ dsng ~d~ nes of the two or~ e ~u di~si~ stent componen~ ~0 an~ 42, which fonn a cnntimlolT~ interloclci~g weav~-like r,e.wulL, e~er~ ly clo~ to fo~ an ope~ e;~ded cylindrical cc~lguration frc~ ~e indi~idu~l C~l~O~ 40 a~d 42 as s~own in Fig.
1~ 7. To ac~ieve ~is clos~ the f~n~c~s 69 of cu~.~neul 4~ of the 1~ ~enes use~ L'l ~e co~L~cLiosl are i~serted iD~o ~he paired slots 43 of ste~t cu~ en~ 40 of the rst series used ~n the ~o~ ~-.ol~. Th~s ~cular embod~me~t radlally expands while pr~ ;hTl,F~ ~e lumen through the use of a bal~ to a de~e~n-n~ m~q~r or by use of a s~lf~xr~n~in~ ma~enal. Fig 7 demoas~es ~e use of two senes of ~0 c~ r.~ cominllsus radially ~p~nrl~hle ~eave-li3ce ~ylinder cor~ ion.
S~ent compone~t 40 sho~ ~ Fig. 8 has an el3ngated zig~
backbone 44 ha~g a set of fi~t ~ge ttle~h~r5 45 linearly ar~ang~d and a set of second ed~e "-~-n~cr~ 46 iine3rly alTdnged, ~e 5et of first edge ~embcrs 45 and thc set of se~ond edge .~ 4~ bein~ paral~el and positioned orl o~osile sides of the 2~ zig-~g 1:~5r~ U 44. A p~ura~ity of c;.~ .r~ elllial ~13. ..~be.~, 41 or f~gers extcnd p~r,.lic;:~lar fram ~e first ed~e mç~ rs ~ of ~.e zig-zag ba ~ e 44 A
plu~li~ R pai~ed slots 4~ are posi~ioned ~long the sel of second edge members 4~of the zig-z~g bac~b~ne 44. T~se paired slo~s 43 as sho~n in Fig. 10 are pa~allel to each other 3nd are lis~ear relative to the bacl~bone 44. rhe backbone of stent 3~ c~mponent 40 h~ a y,~ end ~0 and a distal end 70. The second e~e ~ 46 and ~ first ed~e ~e~ 4~ alt~ te al~n~ the ~c~,nc s~in~
with edge ~ember 46~ at the proxi~al e~d ~O and e~ds wi~ a first ed~c member ~Sa ~t ~e distal end 70.

MflY-06-97 TUE l~ '~0 ~M VI~S ~RRETT STEINKR~IUS F~Y NO p )7 ~57 CA 02204771 1997-05-Oi ~ / ' WO~4Q30 ~ltub~l257g S~t ~po~L 42 show~ m Fig 9 has an eto~t~d zi~-zag b,?~ o~
47 h~ a set Of first ed~e n~c~.~ 60 line~ly a..~ed and a set of second ed~e c s 61 li~ly ~ the set c~f frst ed~ ~e~ a and ~he set of seco~d ed~e llle,~ulie~6 bc~ parallel a~d pGsilioT~P~ on oppo.~ sides of ~e zi~-zag backbo~e 47 A p}llrality of cir~e~ n-omhers ~9 or fi~ers e~tend ~nw~rdly aIld lie.pcrrl.~ r f~om ~he secoDd edge n~emhers ~1 of the zig-z~ b~c~.~e 47.
pl~ ty of p~ed slots ~ are po~;tinn~ alor~ ~he set of fi~st ed~e m~ r~ 60 of ~he ~ig-zag ~ack~o~e 47. ll~e p~ired slots as shown ~n Fig. 10 a~e parallel to each other ar~d are linear ~elati~e to ~e t~r~nr of the ~t co~n~ 42. The 10 b~r~ of the stent ~ on~nt 42 has a pi~ ~l end S0 and a distal end 7û. T~
fi.rst edge ~Ir~be~ 60 ~nd the second edgE ".~ el~ Gl 5~1t~ tç along ~he backbo~e s~ seco~d edge me~n~er 61a at ~e proximal end 5~ a~d coIlrl~ s ~ri~
a f~st edge l~lf ~hcr 60a u ~e dista~ end 70.
C~U1l-~d1 ~ese ~o stent componen~s 40 and 42 hcoLyor.~te slidi~
1~ el~ ti 41 and ~9 to fonn a cylindrical c~nf7e~ inIl as shown in Fig. 7, ~CGLY~ g ~t least two of the ~lorlg~t~Yl seen~ co~o,.e~s. T~e c~oul~,ft~clltial mcmbers or ~gers 4I or 69 of one co~po~e~t slidc through the pa~red slo~ 43 of an ~qrent s2eM compo~enr ~n a weav~like confi~.lfa~ion as show~ ig. ?
esbl:~g ~c stent to expand radially ~out yie~ing or plastically de~ro..~ i~lg ~e20 material of which ~e s~en~ Ls fab~ ed. Sten~ COI~ lr lll 4Q is positioned ~jacel~-to the secQnd stcnt compGnent 42 and cor-~ to co~ one.lL 42 by way of the ir~L.~ul~e~(irI~ weave-like m~c~ ", of combined slocs 43 of stent component 42 and f3ngers 41.
To c~ose ff~e st~nt and create ~e eylindncal s~ape from the LndividuaJ
~S co.~ e~ as shown in Fig. 7 ~e circun~erential members ~g of s~t co.. ~l~ol~nt42 are weaved ir.to ~e paired slots 43 of S~t cumponent ~0. To enlarge she di~ , po~ ial of the stentS a~other se~ies~ wnerein a seneS consists of stent cu.~ t 40 and s~nt CO~--f ~t 42, ~an be added to the f~st ser~eS by stent component ~2 of ~e f;rst ~eTies to stent co!~r~r~ of ~ se~ond ser~es.
30 The poten~al ~ ter ~y also be ~ a~cd by ~,'h .~ thelength of the fingers.
~ig. 7 illn~es thc use of two series of stent co~o,~,~L~ 40 and 42. The stent componeDt ~ of tho fmal se~ies is co.~r~ Ir~l to ste~t component 40 of the firstsenes thus CL~ the cylin~ln~ stent formation show~ Fig. 7. This con~l~cl~on M~Y~ Y/ lU~ 10'20 ~M VID~S ~2RETT STEiNKR~llS F~X N0. P.28/57 WO9~4034 ~ U~ 79 -12~
i~ ac~ieved ~h ~e wea~7e~ e ~ t~ iCt'llCCf~'d ear~ier il~ h ~ in Fi~.
14.
In ~ot~ ~he fim stent ~ ..hoA.~ .,I ant} the second stcnt rmbo~im~n~
;u~f ,~tial ~ b~ or fi~g~rs 20, 41 aD~ 69 ~nd the ce~te~ pieces 2g may 5 be ~nt~ J tO inC~ sting r~Pck~ "l~ wbich pre~rent t~e ~ic~ r~1 of ~2c ~ge~s ~om th~ pa~red slots 30 ar~ 43 upon eYp~ncion, and also may sers~e to pre~ent collapse w~en ~e fricdon ten~ion is inadequate. In ~e absence of, or in co,~ n ~i~. ~ rc~,,.n;.~l"~, the ~ngers are ~cld m pl~ce by fric~on te~sion by way of the wea~re-lilce c~ as shown i~ Fig. 14. The pai~ed slots10 30 and 43 ~ ri~n~\c of the frst ste~t embo~SmPnt a~d the second st~nt od;~Af.~ ,J~tlll~,ly~ are suc~ that ~e fin~ers ca~ be held via fric~ tensio~
or cl~mri~ ~i~ a co~ lled e~Pr~ n wi~ li~le or no recoil or coll~rse The cerlter portion 29 ~at lies between ~e paired slots 30 and ~3, lejpc~Li~ly, as l in Fig~ 6 a~d 10, may be raised or lowered with respect to the plan~ of 1~ the stent Co~ tS as il~ a~d in }:igs. 1, 7 snd 11~ As the ~tcr piece 2~ is raued or lowered, the friction teDsion d;~"nic~ . Ioo~ .~"~ the wea~e-like CO~"~rC~;OT~ and thus allowing the fingers ~0, 41 and ~9 to slide more freely through the coordin~ting p~red slots 30 and 43. The ceIuer piece 2g is raised or lowered to the extent tha~ ~e fr~cdon te;tsion between the f~gers and ~e paired slots is lose 2Q enough so as to allow ~he ~ai!oon or ~pand~l~g mear~s to expand ~he sten~, but tight e~ough so as tO prc~ent the fin~er from withd~wing as a result of the stent's o~rn t~l~2n~ force or to prevent the stent from collaps~ng ~mder t}se ~r~s~u~ of the en wall.
FY~ 71~ of di~Te.~ embo<~ P.,l~ oF ~e ~l.esting ...~r~ .. are ~5 ill~LIil~d in Fi~'s. 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18 ~ Ig. This ~ L~g r~ rh~n;s~ may ~e a sLmple lip ~.le~til,g .~ r~hA~ ". gener~ly de~;~r~ 72, ~s sho~.vn in E:ig 12.
wherein a lip 73 is ~ d at ~e eDd 74 of the fn~er~ 20, 4~ or 6~ ~e ir.,~ f~ger, w~ t,oldt~-~ ~e s~nple liE) 73, is slid ~rough t~e cor~c~ ding paired slot 3û and 43 allowing t}le l~p to engage the p~ired slot 30 p~ c~ remo~ral. T~e fingers may i~c~ ~ m~ tiple lip ~IruCLu~ along ~e fn~er to act ~s a l,.ln.~e~jn~ allo~ for greater fr~edci~ l setti3lg t~e potential d~a~neter and as a preventior~ from collapse of the s~nt body under thc Y~S~ 0c thc vessel.
' ' .

MsqY-06-~7 IUE~ 10:2~ ~MVlDs9S .9RRETT ~T~ TNk~AI!~ F~ T~ln P. 2~57 ~YO 96tt40~0 PCTJ~:JS9S/1Z!~79 A l~p aDd ca~ ";C~, gç~erally ~t~ i 7.~, as shown m ~ig~ 13, may slsobe ~sed. I~s ~lt~ t;.~ F~s~l~s~ the ~ ;fi~.
fmger ~O ~ 41 i~CO~yGIas~S a lip 77 a~d catch 78 at thc- e~ 76 o~ ~e ci~cumfe~e~ial s- ~...kr as de.llo~sl~d in Fig. 13. The lip 77 and catch 78 S a~.~n~ allows for ~e cS~g~ ~""\1 a~d locl~ng Sof the pa~ed slots 30 or 43 r;r tir~g mo~ ei~er di.~lio~.
Another po~n~ial aUL~SI~Ug, Ir~rT~n}'~l- could be a d~nple Gr dete~
m, ~e cl~ of which are i~ c1rat~ inFigs. 17, l~ & 1~.
~is ~-~,s~-g n~ iue~Jlpol~t~s a male poction, whic~ is a In~jf;~d 10 ei~ cr~.~ti~l r.~ end, ge~l~y des~ t~ 9O, as shown in Fig. 17, wi~ a ~aised co~ve:c portion g4 ~cjtjon~d toW2~ ~e end 56 of ~ cucumfsrential mcmber as s~o~ . Fig. 17. The ~e~alc portio;l for ~e second stent e~nho(1i~n~nt, gc~er~lIy de~ d 1 00, as shown in Fig. 18, is ~ Inodified cemer ~iece 29 ~ee~ecn a pa~
sIot 43. ~e modifled cen~r piece 29 h~ a d~ple 1~ o- de~er.~ posit~ ~ on the l5 ~nderside of the cente~ piece 2g ~e;..~,~ the pair~d slots ~3. ~he Inale portion 94 and t;he female portion lOZ form a mating reladonship as ~e ~n~cr ts wil~
~om Lhe pasr~d slots 43, secur~g ~he f~ger LT the co;~;*Jo~di~ paircd slot.
Ihe first s~ent embodiment may also use ~s d~nple o~ detent - ~rres~ug me~h~nicm ~ ch a r~-~ch~"lcl" ~be fi~t ster~t embodiment uses ~e 20 modif~ ci~u~ ren~ial ~ R.nl~r 90 as shown En Fig. 17 for ~s male ~rtion an~ amodified center pieee 29 ~e~ween paired siots ~0, ~cncrally dec~ d 110, as show~. in Fig. 19, for jts female po~ion. The n~ fied cen~cr pii-~ce 2g is raised or lowercd slig~t~y ~Lnd has a di~nple 102 or de~nt positinne~ on the ~lnr~ e of the center piece 2g bc~ween ~e p~i~ed s~ots 30, as shown m Fi~ . ~n~ maie portion 2S 94 ~nd t~c femqle portion 102 fiOlm a mating ;el~ionship as the fin~cr is w;~ lra~
from the p~ slo~s 3~, se~ the fn~er in ~e co~ ol~ding pasxd slo~. For ~o~ the second steM emb~imr~t and the fi~s~ s~nt em~o~irnent ~e ~nale portion and the fer~ale po~tion mav be switcbed, ~;tio~ the male port10n on the center pieces ~9 and pOa;hO~fi.n~r ~e female portions on the ci..;~.~crenLial ~ S.
The modified f'm~er shown in Fig. 17 may also ~e utili~ed alone as an ~-c;,,~.u~ ,- ~l)l,r~ The fmger is pushed ~ough ~c .ec~;v~g paired slot l;~til ~e conv~c portion 94 is e~pose~l on ~e other side, l~cing ~e fiIlger in pl~ce. T~is 11-~'~ h~ L~ Y the finger f~osn bes~ plllled out, but it ~ S on friction M~Y-06-~ JE 10~ 11 V!~P.S ~RRE~T STEIN~R~S F~'~ N0. P. 30/57 WO9~14~30 ~ 9~1~S79 u~sion ~o psevent cnl1~psin~ of the stent body. Flgs. ~O and 21 illustrate a~
iS~g ~ A~ hat p~ d~wal of ~ fimger end ~ as well as colJapse of the stent. Multi~1e co~vex por~on~ 94 may by p~sitior~ along the fi~er creatillg a rachet .~rchAnk", wJ~hin the paired slot as shown in Fig. ~, This n.~ch~";~ ows for gr~ater ~reedom ~1 set~ the poten~ m~
and as a pr~Yen~on from collapse of ~e sse~t ~ody u~ he pres~ule of the vessel.
Fig. 15 shows still ~u~er ~eans by which to arr~ the ~ngér place in ~e eQ~spo~ll3~ 2i~ed slot. This tapered en~ L;~I~ rn~ch~nicm, genela~ly ~;p"~t.'~ 84. as show~ ~ Fig. 15, de~ n aï~sLi~g ~,.F~
10 in which ~he end of the C~ id~ r..~.~--her 20, 41 or 6g ~asirl~ly widens 17, creati~g more I~ rh ~ in ~e p~ d sl~ts 30 or 43 ~s the finger is ,~a~v,l, even~ally stoppmg ~e fi~er in a secure position ~y ~ 2~ i~ into t~ pair slot, not allowi~ fur~er t~p~n~i~m St~ll another ~I~c;ali~g ~rch~ l is the d:~o~ Lad ~1~6~5 m~ik~ ..., generally dec~ 80, as shown m Pi~. 16. This i~r~k~l~;c~
vwl~a~ 86, wl~ch allows the f~ge, 20, 41 or 69 to sl}de into the pa red slot 30 ~r 43, but p.evc,.lb the f~er fr~m being ~ithdrawn past a certai~poL~t because of the bar~s ~3 on ~e ~Iuwl-~d. The f~.gers may i;~o~or~,Le multiple arrowhead s~rucnlres al~ng ~e finger to act as a ~lc~e~in~ e~ n;s,..~0 allowsng f~r greater fr~om ~n serting the pot~ntial ~r~ r and as a pr~ven~ion from A~ollapse of tl e sten~ bo~y under the pr~s~ of the Yesse~. .l~hese arlc~ ,nc ca;l ~e fn~o~pora2ed anywher~ a~ong the length of The fmge~ to let ~e steM radially expand to a prede~ermined di~met~r wi~out allowing ~e f;ngess to fi~l!y slide out of the COL~Onding S~Ot . ArrestiDg 2~ pch~nisrnc c~n be ~o4;~ to pre~tent both fur~er eYE-~nci~n and the collapse of dle ~ent. :
The weave-like i~ c~ "~r,~ ~d arrest~o In~h~ni~n~
in ~e secoDd embodiment show~ in Fig. 7 is aecn~r1i~h.~d ~n ~he sa~e manner as the ~Irst em~ illust:rated by Pfg. 1, but ~e cb~gllration of SteM Co~upollc~il 42 of t.~ e s~co~d stent ~tnbt!~im~nt o~ Fig. 7 will be such ~at the ~mger len~th 69 . .
wil~ be ~onger than th~t of ~e fin~er 41 le~gth of the stc~t CO~ G~-lt 40 and will only i~coL~lo~L~ a~ C~ -S as show~ i~ Fi5s 12~ 13t l~, and 16 at the end of the ~c~ f~.c.~ member 69. Fi~Ecr G~ friction ~ on to M~Y-~6-~7 TUE 1~ 21 AM ~ID~S ~RRETTA~ToF2i2NoK~AI!~ ,997FA~jNn7- P 31~57 WO g6114030 PCTn~S95112S-~'9 secu~e it m any place along t~e le~ of the ci~ fc~e~t;al i..r.~h~r as ~ow~ h F~g. 7. This a~tra le~ allo~s for more fi~Yl~iliy within ~e lu~nen, e~p~n~ & t~e~gage ~ walls of the lumen ~mifin~ly alo~ the entire le~h of ~e ~. Tbc er 69 of co~ l 42 is ~llowed to sl~de freely ehrough lhe c~ D~ond.l~g 5 pa~ed slot 43 ~f stent c~".~ 0 allowing ~e s~nt to expand u..;r~ y t~rough~ ~e use of a cathete~ balloon or self~ t~ri~l, The e~clra lo~g finger 69 of stem cv~l~ 42 p~ the weave-l~e co~n~lion 8~ fr~m le~ duri~g e~ without lim~g ~e poten~a1~ r.t~ r. Tnis will ensure ~hat ~e stent will not have a too sm~ll a ~i~m~t~ for t~e lumen aIld t~t filture eA~ r- may 10 take p~ace Yia Te~ t~tion by a balloon.
T~e parts fo~ the co~p~ne~t~ for b~t~ eTnt 0~ tS may ~e fab icated frorn a me~ as we11 ~s other mat~ls. ~ t A metals are Elgiloy alloy, s~ t~
s~el, ~inol alloy aIld biod~ hle and no~b~odegrad~e pl~stic. A possible p~s f~l" i.:~l.on me~ would be to usc a photo-e~ g process. I~ ~s ~rocess a mask 1~ is developed such that whc~ ~c shcet of matenal is etched in a rea~g s~
such ~s ~cid~ ~e snaske~ ~r ~ ct~d po~ orm ~e stent cv~ e photo el g process allows for an :~rcu~e fa~ d~o~ ~ c~ ue and selec~ve et~ O~l;.n;7;r~ part th~ ..f ~ and size. This ~chni~ue allows for sc~ haif-e~.~hing af the s~ot ~bs to facllit~te flnger assembly.
~hiie this i~:~e~}on msy ~e G-m~odied in many ~ifreL~.It fo~ns, there are des~r,~à ~ detail herein spocifi~ p.~:fe~ embor~im~ont~ Of the invenuun. This dcs.,.ilJhul~ is an ere~ ration of ~e pnn~irl~$ of the in~rention and is no~
;nte~A~d to l~ the il.~VGllLiOn to thc p~iru1~r ~.l,bod~nc~ dted.
An h~.~rO~ . of the presen~ Lu~ over ~e prior art is ~e ~5 advantages of ~e slidLn~ III ~at al'o~vs for unif~n seent f~l~r?ncior( and the design of the ster.t ~ llowing for CO~u~ mlg flPYjhility. The slidin~
",~. t,A~nl~..,Q f?,r;litz~t~c SteM e~ n5iQr~ without ~ o,l,o~ing plas~ic ~ro~ At;on~
The present steD~ o~lloll keeps a c~ r.~,5...i cyPiIIdricai shape dunng radial eAy~n~;ol~ wi~c)ut alterislg the shape of the ste~ clt ~ The lon~ din~l size of 30 ~e ste~ also rem~ms cA~n~nt as it expands wi~n the lumen. Whereas previously ~re~d ste~s in ~e prior ar~ ~Ye a ~Len~ency to lose ~eir lon~nldi~l or cy~ qc~l shape d~g radial ~y~ , ~e prcser~t l.~ remams c~ncic~pnt in its general CQnf'i~u~A-I;l~ bo~ ~$L leng~ ant in cylis~drical u~orm~ty. The design of the present M~Y-06-97 TUE 13~22 ~. Vl3fls .42RETT ~T!~iNKR~ F~'l N(l. P. 32~'57 WO ~14030 PC~ 79 -1~ .
i~ve~tion e~a~les the ste~t to ~ol~r~tll ~ to thc walls of the l~ wi~hout aDy increase in leng~ cr illC~ n~;G~ of plasdc ~o~ o~ w~ile In7i~tl~i,.i"l; bll~al A f 2r~er a~l~g., o~ ~e prese~t ill~ChliO~ over ~ pnor art is its 5 f~ne~ e coc~ ,Lio~. This cff~~ ion allows for adc.lu~,k support w~ile ~sing mmm~l ma~rial. T~s is a~l adva~ge over the rolled tube-}i~ee ~ent ilhlS~P~ by ~e Stacl~ patent, U.S. pate~t 5,306,28~. It Ls prefera~le t~ have no ~ore ~ 1 l59~ ~f ~e ~er wall covered ~y ~ ste~ itself. ~he sma~ler surface a~ea ~at contacts the in~ wall of the prcse~ ~ e~Lion allows fcr ~ter e,-p~u-e to 10 blood and ot~er s~ r ~ ~ es~ntt t~ to ~e viabili~y of ~ inner wal~ of the lumen Wi~UI los~g ~ppor~ r The ~g-~g cor~h~.cliol~ of the second e;l.bodi~n~ solves the r.~idi~
pro~lem ccmrnon a~noug many pieces of prio~ art. ~is Cv~Sh~l~0l1 allows the stent mo~ l~ in~l fler1~t1i~ to COl'~O~u~ ~ ;~egul~ri~i~s in ~e lu~en. Sten~
15 such ;~F~ ~e S2a~ s~e~t, 5,3O~,286, a~ ~,~L~I~u~lcd u~ a one piece material rolled ov~r ~on i~sel~. This oDe piece fo~n~t;n~ s longih1~in~1 f;exibiii~ causing ~t to be more stiff and ~ cor~f~....~g to ~e i~s~er w~'lls of ~e tar~eted ]umen.
The above Exh~les a;nd dicck~ ; are i-~1t---lCd to be illu~l~At;~
- . not el~h~-~ctive, l~ese eY~.rl~s ~nd d~,L;ylion will suggest m~ny ~anations an~
~0 al~ ti~ to o~e of ordinary skill in ~is art. All thes~ alter~tives a~d ~ ons are int~n~ed ~o be inrlurlf~ wit~n ~e scope of ~t~e ~ ch~d cla~rns. Those ~amiliar wi~h ~e art snay recog~ze o~er e~uiv~lents ~o ~ke specific em~ t~ descnbed her- in which cquivalents are also il~re2l~ed to ~e c~ lllyac~e~ by the claims attachcd - here~o.
.

Claims

What is claimed is as follows:

1. A radially expandable stent for implantation within a body lumem comprising:
a plurality of elongated stent components, wherein the stent components are arranged longitudinally and a substantially parallel to each other;
a plurality of circumferential members substantially perpendicularly affixed to the stent components; and a plurality of paired slots positioned along the stent components, the paired slots being parallel relative to the elongated stent components, and wherein thecircumferential members of one component are slidably received into the paired slots of an adjacent component forming a weave-like interlocking configuration, and wherein the radially expandable stent has a generally cylindrical body with openproximal and distal ends; the stent being radially expandable to engage the lumen walls by sliding the circumferential members through the paired slots to separate the components from each other diametrically.

2. A stent as in claim 1 wherein the plurality of elongated stent components comprises:

a first stent component with a longitudinal backbone having a proximal end and a distal end;
a plurality of opposingly paired circumferential members perpendicularly affixed to the first stent component and spaced therealong;
a plurality of paired slots linearly positioned and spaced along the longitudinal backbone of the first stent component, the paired slots and the circumferential members alternating in position relative to each other starting with a paired slot at the proximal end of the first component;
a second stent component with a longitudinal backbone having a proximal end and a distal end;
a plurality of opposingly paired circumferential members perpendicularly affixed to the second stent component and spaced therealong;
a plurality of paired slots linearly positioned and spaced along the longitudinal backbone of the second stent component the paired slots and the circumferential members alternating in position relative to each other starting with a pair of the circumferential at the proximal of the second stent component; and a third stent component including a longitudinal backbone having paired slots linearly positioned along the longitudinal backbone.

3. A stent as in claim 2 wherein the stent's potential diameter is increased by adding additional series comprises, wherein a series comprises the first stent component, the second stent component and the third stent component.

4. A stent as in claim 3 wherein the paired slots comprise two parallel slots linearly disposed along the backbone of the stent components.

5. A stent as in claim 4 further comprising an arresting mechanism preventing disengagement of the circumferential members from each corresponding paired slot.

6. A stent as in claims 5 wherein the stent is made from a material selectedfrom a group consisting of elgiloy alloy, stainless steel, biodegradable plastic, nonbiodegradable plastic and nitinol alloy.

7. A stent as in claim 6 wherein the arresting mechanism comprises a lip at the end of at least one circumferential member which engages the corresponding paired slot when the stent is expanded.

8. A stent as in claim 6 wherein the arresting mechanism comprises a raised portion on at least one circumferential member which engages the corresponding paired slot when the stent is expanded.

9. A stent as in claim 8 wherein the circumferential member includes a plurality of the raised portions.

10. A stent as in claim 6 wherein the arresting mechanism comprises a lip andcatch arrangement which engages with the corresponding paired slot restricting movement in either direction when the stent is expanded.

11. A stent as in claim 6 wherein the arresting mechanism comprises an arrowhead element incorporated in at least one of the circumferential members, engaging the corresponding paired slot therewith when the stent is expanded.

12. A stent as in claim 11 wherein the circumferential member includes a plurality of the arrowhead elements.

13. A stent as in claim 6 wherein the arresting mechanism comprises an element of increasing width toward the distal end of the circumferential member and which engages a corresponding paired slot when the stent is expanded.

14. A stent as in claim 1 wherein the plurality of elongated stent components comprises:
a first stent component with a zig-zag longitudinal backbone having a set of first edge members linearly arranged and a set of second edge members being linearly arranged, the first edge members and the second edge members being parallel andpositioned on opposite sides of the zig-zag backbone;
a plurality of circumferential members extending perpendicular and outwardly from the first edge members of the zig-zag backbone of the first stentmember;
a plurality of paired slots positioned in the second edge members of the zig-zag backbone of the first stent member, the paired slots being parallel to each other and linear relative to the backbone of the first stent component, thebackbone of the first stent component having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the first edge members and the second edge members alternate in positionalong the backbone of the first stent component, starting at the proximal end with a second edge member;
a second stent component with a zig-zag longitudinal backbone having a set of first edge members linearly arranged and a set of second edge members linearly arranged, the first edge members and the second edge members being parallel and positioned on opposite sides of the zig-zag backbone;

a plurality of circumferential members extending perpendicular and inwardly from the first edge members of the zig-zag backbone of the second stentcomponent;
a plurality of paired slots positioned in the second edge members of the zig-zag backbone of the second stent component, the paired slots being parallel to each other and linear relative to the backbone of the second stent component, the backbone of the second stent component having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the first edge members and the second edge members alternate in positionalong the backbone of the second stent component, starting at the proximal end with a first edge member; wherein the circumferential members of the first stent component are slidably receivable into the corresponding paired slots of the second stent component and the circumferential members of the second component are slidably receivable into the corresponding paired slots of the first stent component.

15. A stent as in claim 14 wherein the stent's potential diameter is increased by adding an additional series of stent components, wherein a series comprises the first stent component, and the second stent component.

16. A stent as in claim 15 wherein the paired slots comprises two parallel slots linearly positioned along the backbone of the stent components.

17. A stent as in claim 16 further comprising an arresting mechanism preventing disengagement of the circumferential members of the first stent component from each corresponding paired slot of the second stent component.

18. A stent as in claims 17 wherein the stent is made from a material selected from a group consisting of elgiloy alloy, stainless steel, biodegradable plastic, nonbiodegradable plastic and nitino1 alloy.

19. A stent as in claim 18 wherein the arresting mechanism comprises a lip at the end of at least one circumferential member of the first component which engages the corresponding paired slot of the second component when the stent is expanded.

20. A stent as in claim 18 wherein the arresting mechanism comprises a raisedportion on the end of at least one circumferential member of the first componentwhich engages the corresponding paired slot of the second component when the stent is expanded.

21. A stent as in claim 20 wherein the circumferential member include a plurality of the raised portions.

22. A stent as in claim 18 wherein the arresting mechanism comprises a lip and catch arrangement wherein at least one circumferential member of the first component engages the corresponding paired slot of the second component restricting movement in either direction when the stent is expanded.

23. A stent as in claim 18 wherein the arresting mechanism comprises an arrowhead element incorporated in at least one of the circumferential members ofthe first stent component engaging the corresponding paired slot of the second stent component therewith when the stent is expanded.

24. A stent as in claim 23 wherein the circumferential member includes a plurality of the arrowhead elements.

25. A stent as in claim 18 wherein the arresting mechanism comprises an element of increasing width toward the distal end of at least one circumferential member of each first stent component and which engages the corresponding paired slot of each second stent component when the stent is expanded.