摘要 |
The invention relates to an implantable prosthesis for intravascular applications, consisting of a flexible prismatic strand of biocompatible material, produced from meshed threads, with a polygonal cross-section (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e, 5f, 5g, 5h) that is hollow or perforated. Said threads are interconnected in an articulated or rigid manner. The polygonal hollow or perforated cross-section can be configured as a triangle, quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, or octagon and has adjustable contractions (12b) and/or expandable sections (12a) and/or reinforcing elements. The invention provides an implantable prosthesis which, in comparison to the prior art, has the advantage of an improved crimp and dilation behaviour achieved with a lower usage of material. In addition, the prosthesis has a more favourable stress distribution when used as a stent. The risk of a stent trauma during implantation is thus significantly reduced. The invention enables the advantages of slotted tube prostheses and mesh prostheses to be used to full effect in a medical application. The prosthesis exhibits an extremely high degree of flexibility, both in the longitudinal and radial directions and extreme durability under collapse pressures. The invention substantially promotes, or allows for the first time the use of stents in areas subject to intense transversal forces, such as in the peripheral area and in the ureter and in profusely branched labyrinthine vessels. The inventive prosthesis with a polygonal cross-section can also be produced in a cost-effective, high-quality manner, using known textile technology, for example knitting. |