Stent

摘要

The present invention is a stent (10) for insertion into an artery or other vessel (12). The stent is formed from a series of tubular shaped bands (22) each formed with a first end (36) which overlaps a second end (38). The overlap (40) between the first and second ends is variable and allows each band to move between a contracted configuration (48) and a fully expanded configuration (44) which are within the elastic limits of the band. Each band includes a plurality of receivers (56) and a first tab (52) on a first edge of the band to secure each band at or near the fully expanded configuration and allow the stent to conform to the contours of the vessel. The bands are distributed along a substantially common axis to form a tube interconnected by a pair of elongated strips. In use, the stent is placed over a balloon catheter and compressed to adopt the contracted configuration. The stent is maintained in the contracted configuration by a retainer. The balloon catheter and stent are then advanced through a placement catheter to a target site where the balloon is partially inflated to free the stent for expansion to an equilibrium configuration. The balloon may then be more fully inflated to further expand any of the bands in the stent to suit the needs of the patient. The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving the expanded stent to support that target site.