Tethered expansion columns for controlled stent expansion

摘要

A tethered stent made up of interconnected struts which together form expansion columns. At least some of the struts are connected to each other by tethers. When the stent expands, the tethers pull on the interconnected struts and limit how far apart from each other the struts can move when expanding. This limitation allows for greater control over what overall shape the expanded stent will assume and how particular portions of the stent will deploy. The tethers also add density to the stent and increases surface area which leads to better stent scaffolding and greater effectiveness of drug coatings.