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Publication Number
US-10722389-B2
Publication Date
2020-07-28
Expiration Date
Abstract
An endoluminal stent (100) is described herein. In an embodiment, the endoluminal stent (100) includes a plurality of sinusoidal-shaped expandable ringlets (102) provided in parallel to form a tubular structure of the endoluminal stent (100). Further, adjacent ringlets (102) can be connected to each other by one or more asymmetrical offset connectors (108), the offset connectors (108) being non-linear in structure.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an endoluminal stent comprising a plurality of ringlets forming a lateral surface of the endoluminal stent. Each ringlet has a sinusoidal structure along a length of the ringlet, with the sinusoidal structure formed as contained in a cylindrical plane of the lateral surface, and the plurality of ringlets are coaxial to each other and provided along a central longitudinal axis to define a tubular structure.
Adjacent ringlets are coupled by a plurality of connectors. One end of each connector is coupled to a ringlet at a first junction, and the other end is coupled to an adjacent ringlet at a second junction, with an axis passing through the first junction and parallel to the central longitudinal axis offset with respect to another axis passing through the second junction and parallel to the central longitudinal axis. Each connector is of sinusoidal structure and includes at least one radius in the sinusoidal structure measured at a point at least halfway to a midpoint of the corresponding connector within a defined range.
For each corresponding connector, the first junction is located at a mid-portion of a connecting element that connects ends of two crown peaks oriented in opposite directions in the one ringlet, and the second junction is located at a mid-portion of another connecting element that connects ends of two crown peaks oriented in opposite directions in the adjacent ringlet. The described geometry and offset junction axes are intended to improve stress distribution and reduce stress concentration at junctions to minimize fatigue fracture.
The design is further described as enhancing flexibility and pushability, resisting foreshortening under balloon-induced longitudinal compression while enabling positive foreshortening. The document also describes crown orientation concepts, small distances or gaps between crown peaks and troughs, materials including metals, alloys, and biodegradable or biostable polymers, and coating options including biodegradable polymer coatings, biostable polymer coatings, passive coatings, therapeutic agent coatings, and stent-graft coating contexts.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim (clm-00001) requires an endoluminal stent with multiple coaxial sinusoidally structured ringlets and sinusoidal connectors between adjacent ringlets, including laterally offset connector junction axes and a connector sinusoidal radius constraint in a defined range. The dependent claims further refine crown peak orientation within each ringlet, allowable ringlet material classes, connector flexibility, enumerated ringlet material selections, and coating types.
Coaxial sinusoidally structured ringlets in a cylindrical plane
A plurality of ringlets form a lateral surface of the endoluminal stent, each ringlet having a sinusoidal structure along a length of the ringlet, where the sinusoidal structure is formed as contained in a cylindrical plane of the lateral surface, and where the plurality of ringlets are coaxial to each other and provided along a central longitudinal axis.
Sinusoidal connectors coupling adjacent ringlets with laterally offset junction axes
A plurality of connectors couple adjacent ringlets, wherein one end of each connector is coupled to a ringlet at a first junction and the other end is coupled to an adjacent ringlet at a second junction, and wherein an axis passing through the first junction and parallel to the central longitudinal axis is at an offset with respect to another axis passing through the second junction and parallel to the central longitudinal axis, wherein each connector is of sinusoidal structure.
Connector sinusoidal radius range
For each corresponding connector, at least one radius in the sinusoidal structure, measured at a point at least halfway to a midpoint of a corresponding connector, is in a range of 0.4 mm to 0.7 mm.
Oppositely oriented crown peaks defining junction placement
For each corresponding connector, the first junction is located at a mid-portion of a connecting element that connects ends of two crown peaks oriented in opposite directions in the one ringlet, and the second junction is located at a mid-portion of another connecting element that connects ends of two crown peaks oriented in opposite directions in the adjacent ringlet.
Overall, the claim set is centered on an endoluminal stent architecture defined by coaxial sinusoidal ringlets, sinusoidal connectors with laterally offset junction axes, a specific connector sinusoidal radius constraint, and junction placement tied to connecting elements between oppositely oriented crown peaks.
Stated Advantages
Improves stress distribution.
Reduces stress concentration at junctions to minimize fatigue fracture.
Enhances flexibility and pushability.
Resists foreshortening under balloon-induced longitudinal compression while enabling positive foreshortening.
Documented Applications
Deployment and use in endovascular lumens are described in contexts including balloon expandable, self-expandable, and stent graft arrangements.
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