Bendable stent

摘要

A stent includes a matrix of struts. The matrix of struts may be disposed parallel to one another in a non-expanded disposition. A plurality of loops along the longitudinal axis may be formed by the matrix of struts. In one aspect, a plurality of cusps in each loop of the plurality of loops connects adjacent struts, the plurality of cusps including tied cusps and free cusps. The tied cusps of one loop can be connected to the tied cusps of an adjacent loop by a bridge extending therebetween. In one aspect, the adjacent struts connected by a tied cusp have different lengths. In one aspect, at least one free cusp in each loop joins two struts of approximately equal length.

主权项

1. A stent comprising
a matrix of struts disposed parallel to one another comprising:
a plurality of loops disposed along a longitudinal axis of the stent comprising:end-zone loops composed of tied cusps, free cusps and radiopaque markers;andintermediate-zone loops composed of tied cusps and free cusps,wherein tied cusps and free cusps of end-zone loops and intermediate-zone loops connect adjacent struts; and a bridge connecting a tied cusp of one loop head-to-head with a tied cusp of an adjacent loop wherein all of the free cusps on one end of the end-zone loop and all of the radiopaque markers of the end-zone loop are disposed to touch a notional circle transverse to the longitudinal axis of the stent such that the stress imposed on the stent by a pushing annulus is shared among all of the free cusps and all of the radiopaque markers on the one end of the end-zone loops; wherein the radiopaque markers are distributed around the circumference of the end-zone loops, each of the markers positioned in a gap defined between outer surfaces of adjacent end cusps; and wherein the adjacent struts connected by a tied cusp have different lengths, and at least one free cusp in each loop joins two struts of approximately equal length.