Uncaging stent
Inventors
Sirhan, Motasim • Yan, John • Bhat, Vinayak • Paraschac, Joseph • Cryer, Brett • Serna, Benjamyn
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10271976-B2
Publication Date
2019-04-30
Expiration Date
Abstract
A stent (scaffold) or other luminal prosthesis comprising circumferential structural elements which provides high strength after deployment and allows for scaffold to uncage, and/or allow for scaffold or luminal expansion thereafter. The circumferential scaffold may be formed from degradable material, or may be formed from non-degradable material and will be modified to expand and/or uncage after deployment.
Core Innovation
The endoluminal prosthesis comprises an expandable scaffold formed from axially adjacent circumferential rings that expands from a crimped configuration to an expanded configuration. A detachable element joins at a ring or junction and separates after scaffold expansion in a physiologic environment, creating a discontinuity in the circumferential path of a ring. Other joined elements between the adjacent rings remain attached to preserve scaffold integrity while permitting this separation.
The prosthesis incorporates attachment structures and separation regions such as degradable polymer attachments, key-and-lock couplings, ball-and-socket arrangements, hinges, and adhesive- or sleeve-restrained joints. These features provide initial radial strength and subsequently increase compliance, enabling vessel remodeling, uncaging, and vasomotion while maintaining body lumen support. Because the background section is excluded, the problem being solved is not explicitly described in the patent.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover two inventive features directed to an expandable endoluminal prosthesis with detachable elements that separate after expansion in a physiologic environment.
Detachable element separating from an adjacent circumferential ring
Claim 1 covers a scaffold comprising axially adjacent circumferential rings, wherein a first element from a first ring joins a second element from an adjacent second ring, while a third element is detachably attached to the second ring. The first and second elements remain attached after the third element detaches in a physiologic environment, separating the third element from the second ring and creating a discontinuity in the circumferential path of the first ring.
Detachable element at a junction between circumferential rings
Claim 19 covers axially adjacent circumferential rings with elements that join the rings and form a junction, wherein an element is detachably attached at the junction. Detachment after expansion in a physiologic environment separates the detachable element from the adjacent second ring to create a discontinuity in the circumferential path of the first ring, while other junction elements remain joined.
Both independent claims cover an expandable endoluminal prosthesis in which a detachable element separates after expansion in a physiologic environment to create a circumferential discontinuity while other elements connecting the adjacent rings remain joined.
Stated Advantages
The design provides initial radial strength and subsequently reduces circumferential stiffness and radial strength while increasing compliance, enabling vessel uncaging, vasomotion, and further expansion or lumen remodeling while retaining lumen support.
The circumferential discontinuities enable movement after deployment, while axial connections preserve scaffold integrity.
After expansion in a physiologic environment, the prosthesis has sufficient strength to support a body lumen with low recoil.
Documented Applications
Supporting a body lumen, including placement within a vessel.
Valve applications, including valve-replacement stents, prosthetic valves, and annular fixation implants.
Vascular applications for the endoluminal prosthesis.
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