Intravascular radially expandable stent

US5651174A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Medtronic, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Robert S. Schwartz · Rochester, US
• John Bresnahan · Rochester, US
• Rebecca M. Bergman · North Oaks, US
• Arthur J. Coury · Windom, US
• Elaine Lindell · Blaine, US
• Vincent W. Hull · Ham Lake, US
• Michael Dror · Tel Aviv-Yafo, IL

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 27, 1995
• Grant date: Jul 29, 1997
• Expiry date: Apr 27, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T156/1026
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for making a radially expandable stent for implantation within a body lumen having a generally cylindrical body with open proximal and distal ends, the cylindrical body comprising a plurality of metal elements joined to allow flexing of the cylindrical body along the longitudinal axis of the body whereby the stent can conform to a curved body lumen and a polymeric film applied to the cylindrical body such that it extends between the metal elements of the stent. Therapeutic substances may be incorporated within the applied film. The stent provides a biocompatible polymeric surface to contact and support a body lumen and also a flexible structure to allow the stent to conform closely to bends in a body lumen. The stent is especially useful for repairing an injury to blood vessels caused during angioplasty procedures.