Endoprosthesis having multiple laser welded junctions method and procedure
US5716396A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 16, 1995 |
| Grant date | Feb 10, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 16, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2220/0058
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An endoprosthesis is provided which presents an endoprosthesis body of a helically wound strand of generally malleable material exhibiting a repeating pattern of undulations that follow a generally helically wrapped axis. Adjacent full circle windings each have at least one weld joining together apex-like portions of adjacent full circle windings. In a preferred arrangement, a plurality of these welds define a substantially in-line helical pattern of welds along the endoprosthesis or stent. One, two, three or more of these substantially in-line helical patterns of welds can be provided. Also provided is a method for forming the endoprosthesis which includes fusion welding, typically within an inert gas atmosphere and in a manner such that the entirety of the stent lies along the same generally cylindrical three-dimensional plane. A procedure is included whereby the endoprosthesis or stent is implanted by deployment with a suitable expansion device, the deployment expanding the pattern of undulations in a uniform manner to provide an especially consistent support surface throughout the endoprosthesis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.