Stent structure for implantable medical device

摘要

A stent (30) is formed of a plurality of stent rings (24), each of which rings (24) is formed of a series of sprung sections (10) coupled to one another by flexible couplings (22). The flexible couplings (22) may be made of a biodegradable material. The flexible couplings (22) enable the stent (30) to expand to a smaller uncompressed diameter and then to expand further to a larger uncompressed diameter, by virtue of the flexible couplings (22) which allow the sprung sections to move from a partially overlapping configuration to a radially spaced configuration. The stent (30) can expand with expansion of a vessel, for example in a growing patient.

主权项

1. A stent structure for an implantable medical device including a plurality of sections, a plurality of flexible couplings each disposed between adjacent sections so as to couple the plurality of sections together into an annular shape, wherein the plurality of sections store spring energy when compressed and the plurality of flexible couplings are substantially inextensible and do not produce any or only a nominal restoring force when deformed or reconfigured; said plurality of sections being radially compressible from a rest configuration; wherein said stent structure has a first diameter when the plurality of sections are compressed and a second diameter when the plurality of sections are in said rest configuration, said plurality of flexible couplings allowing for expansion of said stent structure to a third diameter greater than said second diameter.