Intravascular stent having tapered struts
US6190406A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 2, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 20, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 2, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2250/0036
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a stent, preferably a self-expanding Nitinol stent, for insertion into a vessel of a patient. The stent is made from a tubular member a thickness, front and back open ends, and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. The member has a first smaller diameter for insertion into a vessel, and a second larger diameter for deployment into a vessel. The tubular member has a plurality of adjacent hoops extending between its front and back ends. The hoops are formed of a plurality of longitudinal struts, each having opposing ends and a center therebetween. The ends of the struts are shaped to form a plurality of loops which connect adjacent struts at the ends of the struts. The member further includes a plurality of bridges connecting adjacent hoops to one another. Each of the struts has a width which is greater at its ends than at its center. Preferably, the width continuously tapers from a greater width at the ends to a smaller width at the centers.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.