Stent having helical elements

摘要

An expandable stent comprised of a plurality of helical segments is disclosed. In one embodiment, the stent is generally cylindrical in shape having a cylindrical axis, and comprises a first and second set of helical segments. The helical segments in the first set are substantially parallel and have a first pitch forming a first helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. The helical segments in the second set are also generally parallel to each other and form a second pitch that differs from the first pitch, thereby forming a second helical angle with respect to the cylindrical axis. In an alternative embodiment, the stent comprises one set of helical segments and a plurality of circumferential elements that are joined together by the helical segments to form a plurality of cylindrical elements which are joined together to form a stent body. The stent may also have endzones.

主权项

1. An expandable stent having an unexpanded state, the unexpanded stent comprising:
a body defining a cylindrical axis, the body including a plurality of first helical segments, each first helical segment consisting of a plurality of substantially single S-shaped portions alternating with a plurality of connection elements, wherein each substantially single S-shaped portion is connected to only two connection elements and defines at least three generally parallel linear portions each being angled with respect to the cylindrical axis, and wherein each connection element defines a substantial H-shape having two generally parallel legs joined together; and a plurality of second helical segments, each second helical segment consisting of a plurality of the connection elements alternating with a plurality of undulations extending therebetween, each undulation having a rotational orientation different than each of the substantially single S-shaped segments, and wherein each undulation is an inversion of each substantially single S-shaped segment.