Shape memory locking mechanism for intravascular stents

Claim 2

The locking mechanism of claim 1, wherein said plurality of teeth move in response to a change in temperature so that said teeth engage with said longitudinal slot thereby locking said stent in an expanded cylindrical form.

Claim 3

The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein said temperature change is accomplished by providing a heated fluid to said stent, thereby moving said plurality of teeth into locking engagement with said longitudinal slot.

Claim 4

The locking mechanism of claim 2, wherein said temperature change is accomplished by a catheter having a thermal balloon portion to heat the stent and thereby cause said plurality of teeth to move into engagement and interlock with said longitudinal slot.

Claim 5

The locking mechanism for the intraluminal stent of claim 2, wherein said temperature change is accomplished by applying infrared heating to said stent, causing said plurality of teeth to move into locking engagement.

Claim 6

The locking mechanism for the intraluminal stent of claim 2, wherein said temperature change is accomplished by applying induction heating to said stent, causing said plurality of teeth to move into locking engagement.

Claim 7

The locking mechanism for the intraluminal stent of claim 2, wherein said temperature change is accomplished by a catheter having resister elements providing heat to said stent, thereby causing said plurality of teeth to move into locking engagement with said longitudinal slot.

Claim 8

The locking mechanism for the intraluminal stent of claim 2, wherein said temperature change is accomplished by using a catheter to inject a heated fluid into the patient's body lumen adjacent said stent, thereby heating said stent and causing said plurality of teeth to move into locking engagement with said longitudinal slot.

Claim 9

The locking mechanism for the intraluminal stent of claim 1, wherein said plurality of teeth are formed from a nickel-titanium alloy.

Claim 10

The locking mechanism for the intraluminal stent of claim 8, wherein said intraluminal stent is formed from a material taken from the group of materials including nickel-titanium alloy, tantalum, polymers, and stainless steel, or any composite of said group of materials.

Claim 11

The locking mechanism for the intraluminal stent of claim 1, wherein said intraluminal stent is mounted on a balloon portion of a catheter and delivered intraluminally to a diseased area so that said balloon portion can expand and thereby expand said stent at the diseased area.

Claim 12

The locking mechanism for the intraluminal stent of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said stent is encapsulated by a polymeric coating.

Claim 13

The locking mechanism for the intraluminal stent of claim 12, wherein said polymeric coating is made from a polymeric composition taken from the group of materials poly-L-lactic acid (LPLA), poly-DL-lactic acid (DLPLA), or polycaprolactone (PCL).

Claim 14

The locking mechanism for the intraluminal stent of claim 13, wherein said polymeric coating is loaded with a therapeutic drug.

Claim 15

A locking mechanism for an intraluminal stent which is implanted in a body lumen, comprising: an intraluminal stent formed from a plurality of flat sheets interconnected together and each having a first edge and a second edge; a longitudinal slot formed in said first edge of each of said flat sheets; a plurality of teeth positioned along a third edge and a fourth edge of each of said flat sheets for interlocking engagement with said longitudinal slot, said plurality of teeth made from shape memory-retaining materially and means for locking said plurality of teeth into engagement with said longitudinal slots respectively so that said stent can be rolled into a cylindrical configuration and when expanded to an enlarged diameter said plurality of teeth interlock with each of said corresponding longitudinal slots.

Claim 16

The locking mechanism of claim 15, wherein said plurality of teeth move in response to a change in temperature so that said teeth engage with said longitudinal slot thereby locking said stent in an expanded cylindrical form.

Claim 17

The locking mechanism of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of said intraluminal stent is made from a nickel-titanium alloy.

Claim 18

The locking mechanism of claim 15, wherein said means for locking said plurality of teeth into engagement of said longitudinal slots includes heating said plurality of teeth to a temperature sufficient to cause said teeth to move into locking engagement with said longitudinal slots.

Claim 19

A locking mechanism for an intraluminal stent which is implanted in a body lumen, comprising: an intraluminal stent formed from a substantially flat sheet and having a first edge and a second edge; a longitudinal slot formed in said first edge; a plurality of teeth positioned along a third edge and fourth edge of said stent for interlocking engagement with said longitudinal slot, said plurality of teeth made from a super elastic material; and means for locking said plurality of teeth into engagement with said longitudinal slot so that said stent can be rolled into a cylindrical configuration and when expanded to a large diameter said plurality of teeth interlock with said longitudinal slot.

Claim 20

The locking mechanism of claim 19, wherein said plurality of teeth are set into a hydrophilic structure which will dissolve after said intraluminal stent has been implanted in a body lumen, thereby allowing said plurality of teeth to move into locking engagement with said longitudinal slot.

Claim 21

The locking mechanism of claim 20, wherein said hydrophilic material is taken from the group of materials including hydrogel, glucose, acetate, agar, and starch.