Stent with improved flexibility and method for making same

摘要

A stent and a method for manufacturing a stent are provided. The stent includes a first ring having a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys, a second ring having a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys, and a connector that connects one of the peaks of the first ring to one of the valleys of the second ring. The connected peak of the first ring includes a deformed portion that extends towards the connected valley of the second ring. The method includes forming a first ring having a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys, forming a second ring having a plurality of peaks and a plurality of valleys, deforming a portion of at least one of the peaks of the first ring, and connecting the deformed portion of the peak of the first ring to one of the valleys of the second ring.

主权项

1. A method for manufacturing a stent, the method comprising: forming a first continuous wire into a first circumferential ring having an outer surface facing away from a longitudinal axis and having a sinusoidal shape defined by a plurality of peaks connected to a plurality of valleys by a plurality of segments; forming a second continuous wire into a second circumferential ring having an outer surface facing away from a longitudinal axis and having a sinusoidal shape defined by a plurality of peaks connected to a plurality of valleys by a plurality of segments; deforming a peak of the first ring such that a deformed peak portion is unitary with and flanked by non-deformed peak portions on opposite sides, the deformed peak portion having i) an outer surface recessed below outer surfaces of the flanking non-deformed peak portions, and ii) an extension that protrudes in a longitudinal direction away from the first ring and consists of displaced material of the first continuous wire; and abutting and connecting the extension of the deformed peak portion to a valley of the second ring so as to space the non-deformed peak portions from the valley; wherein said connecting comprises welding.