| 摘要 |
<p><P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a medical apparatus having a plurality of stable configurations. <P>SOLUTION: A stent has a fully contracted state shown at 50 and a fully expanded state shown at 60. A plurality of interconnected bistable cells 64 are formed from first relatively rigid segments 52, 66 and second relatively flexible segments 54, 68. The second relatively flexible segments 68 are interconnected with adjacent relatively rigid members 66. Adjacent cells in the longitudinal sense 75 are joined at ends 70 and 72. By applying a uniform radially outward or inward force, the stent may be switched directly from a fully contracted configuration 50 to a fully expanded configuration 60 or vice versa. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT</p> |
