US20020058990A1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Intravascular stent consists of stairstep expansion strut pairs and double stairstep diagonal connecting struts contralaterally extended from expansion struts
Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed Inc
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Filing: 2001-08-28
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2021-08-28
Abstract
Abstract An intra-coronary stent provides intraluminal-scaffolding support of a vascular wall after percutaneous angioplasty in which a balloon catheter is used to expand a stenotic vascular lesion. The flexible stent substantially fully covers a vessel surface inside a vascular lumen. The improved stent easily delivers a delivery balloon to a selected vascular lumen site. The flexible stent has a smooth surface and sufficient radiopacity in the delivery and post delivery phase.
Inventors
- 👤 G. Jang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:45
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/82; A61F2/86; A61F2/90; A61F2/91; A61F2/915; A61F2002/91525; A61F2002/91533; A61F2002/9155; A61F2002/91558; A61F2002/91583; A61F2230/00; A61F2230/0002; A61F2230/0028; A61F2230/0054
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 160
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
1 . A stent in a non-expanded state, comprising: a first expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pairs, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a second expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pairs, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a first connecting strut column including a plurality of individual connecting struts, wherein each of an individual connecting strut is an extension arm of an individual expansion strut from the first expansion column and an extension arm of an individual expansion strut of the second expansion column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
1 . A stent in a non-expanded state, comprising: a first expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pairs, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a second expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pairs, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a first connecting strut column including a plurality of individual connecting struts, wherein each of an individual connecting strut is an extension arm of an individual expansion strut from the first expansion column and an extension arm of an individual expansion strut of the second expansion column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
2 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein at least one end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut from the first or second expansion column.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
3 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein each end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut, extending from contra-lateral sides of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
4 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein at least one end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut, extending from contra-lateral side of one of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
5 . The stent of claim 4 , wherein at least one end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut, extending from ipsi-lateral side of one of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
6 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is non-perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
7 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
8 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is substantially diagonal in angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
9 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
10 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis, and substantially every longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in the first connecting column is parallel to the others in the first connecting column.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
11 . The stent of claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of expansion columns coupled by a plurality of connecting strut columns, wherein each of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column has a longitudinal axis, and substantially every longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in a connecting column is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connecting struts in that column.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
65 words
12 . The stent of claim 1 , further comprising: a plurality of expansion columns coupled by a plurality of connecting strut columns, wherein each of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column has a longitudinal axis, and substantially every longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in a connecting column is at a diagonal angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
13 . The stent of claim 12 , wherein each longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column is parallel to the longitudinal axes of other connecting strut in the same connecting strut column at a diagonal angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
14 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein each connecting strut forms a double stair-step pattern.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
15 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein each connecting strut forms more than one stair-step pattern.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
16 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein each connecting strut forms at least one stair-step pattern.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
17 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein each connecting strut forms at least one stair-step pattern that includes at least one substantially horizontal segment and at least one substantially slant-angled segment.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
18 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein each connecting strut forms a stair-step pattern with at least one substantially horizontal segment, at least one substantially slant-angled segmen and a curved section that joins the substantially horizontal segment and the substantially slant angled segment, the curved section having at least one radius of curvature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
40 words
19 . The stent of claim 18 , wherein a radius of curvature at a junction between a substantially horizontal segment and a substantially slant-angled segment has a wide angle radius of curvature or a narrow angle radius of curvature.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
20 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein each connecting strut forms a stair-step pattern with at least one substantially horizontal segment, at least one substantially slant-angled segmen and a curved section that joins the substantially horizontal segment and the substantially slant angled segment, the curved section having at two radii of curvature.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
82 words
21 . The stent of claim 1 , further comprising: a third expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pairs, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a second connecting strut column including a plurality of individual connecting struts, wherein each of an individual connecting strut is an extension arm of an individual expansion strut from the first expansion column and an extension arm of an individual expansion strut of the second expansion column.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
46 words
22 . The stent of claim 21 , wherein each connecting strut in the first connecting strut column has a first longitudinal axis and each connecting strut in the second connecting strut column has a second longitudinal axis that is non-parallel to the first longitudinal axis.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
69 words
23 . The stent of claim 21 , further comprising: a plurality of expansion columns coupled by a plurality of connecting strut columns, each of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column having a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the connecting struts in a connecting strut column extend in an opposite direction relative to the longitudinal axis of connecting struts in an adjacent connecting strut column.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
75 words
24 . The stent of claim 23 , wherein the longitudinal axis of each of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column has a diagonal angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the stent, each longitudinal axis of the connecting struts in a connecting strut column having a diagonal angle in an opposite direction relative to a diagonal angle of each longitudinal axis of the connecting strut in an adjacent connecting strut columns.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
60 words
25 . The stent of claim 23 , wherein a diagonal angle of the longitudinal axis of each connecting strut in one connecting strut column having opposite direction in an alternating pattern in relation to a diagonal angle of the longitudinal axis of each connecting strut in an adjacent connecting strut column of a plurality of consecutive connecting strut columns.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
26 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein the first expansion column, the second expansion column and the first connecting strut column define a plurality of cells.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
14 words
27 . The stent of claim 26 , wherein the cells have asymmetrical geometry.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
28 . The stent of claim 26 , wherein the cells have evenly spaced geometric shapes throughout the stent.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
29 . The stent of claim 26 , wherein, the cells have substantially six sides when the stent is in a nominally expanded state
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
30 . The stent of claim 26 , the cells have substantially hexagonal geometric configurations when the stent is in a nominally expanded state.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
31 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein each end of a connecting strut is an extension of an expansion strut that extends from contra-lateral sides of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
32 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein each expansion strut has at least one stair-step segment at one end of the expansion strut.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
43 words
33 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein one expansion strut of an expansion strut pair has a stair-step segment at a proximal end and the other expansion strut of the expansion strut pair has a stair-step segment at a distal end.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
21 words
34 . The stent of claim 1 , wherein the first and second expansion columns each forms a corrugated expansion ring.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
35 . The stent of claim 21 , wherein the third expansion column forms a corrugated expansion ring.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
111 words
36 . A stent in a non-expanded state, comprising: a first expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that couple adjacent individual expansion struts, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a second expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that couple adjacent individual expansion struts, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a first connecting strut column including a plurality of individual connecting struts, wherein each of an end of an individual connecting strut extends from contra-lateral sides of expansion strut pair loops of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
111 words
36 . A stent in a non-expanded state, comprising: a first expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that couple adjacent individual expansion struts, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a second expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that couple adjacent individual expansion struts, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a first connecting strut column including a plurality of individual connecting struts, wherein each of an end of an individual connecting strut extends from contra-lateral sides of expansion strut pair loops of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
34 words
37 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein the individual expansion struts of the first and second expansion column form a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that couple adjacent individual expansion struts.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
38 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein expansion strut pair loops of the first and second expansion columns are aligned in a peak to valley geometry.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
39 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein expansion strut pair loops of the first and second expansion columns are aligned in a peak to peak geometry.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
57 words
40 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein the plurality of individual connecting struts of the first connecting strut column each have a first segment and a second segment, and at least a portion of the first segment is positioned in close proximity in front of an expansion strut pair loop of the first expansion column.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
35 words
41 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein at least a portion of the second section is positioned in close proximity in front of an expansion strut pair loop of the second expansion column.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
19 words
42 . The stent of claim 40 , wherein close proximity is a distance of at least 0.001 inch.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
43 . The stent of claim 40 , wherein close proximity is a distance less than 0.04 inch.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
32 words
44 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein at least one end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut from the first or second expansion column.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
40 words
45 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein each end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut, extending from contra-lateral sides of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
44 words
46 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein at least one end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut, extending from contra-lateral side of one of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
44 words
47 . The stent of claim 46 , wherein at least one end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut, extending from ipsi-lateral side of one of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
26 words
48 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is non-perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
27 words
49 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
50 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is substantially diagonal in angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
27 words
51 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
40 words
52 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis, and substantially every longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in the first connecting column is parallel to the others in the first connecting column.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
64 words
53 . The stent of claim 36 , further comprising: a plurality of expansion columns coupled by a plurality of connecting strut columns, wherein each of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column has a longitudinal axis, and substantially every longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in a connecting column is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connecting struts in that column.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
65 words
54 . The stent of claim 36 , further comprising: a plurality of expansion columns coupled by a plurality of connecting strut columns, wherein each of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column has a longitudinal axis, and substantially every longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in a connecting column is at a diagonal angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
50 words
55 . The stent of claim 54 , wherein each longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column is parallel to the longitudinal axis of other connecting strut in the same connecting strut column at a diagonal angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
17 words
56 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein each connecting strut forms a double stair-step pattern.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
18 words
57 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein each connecting strut forms more than one stair-step pattern.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
18 words
58 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein each connecting strut forms at least one stair-step pattern.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
40 words
59 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein each connecting strut forms at least one stair-step pattern, wherein each stair-step pattern has at least one substantially horizontal segment and at least one substantially slant-angled segment in an unbroken fashion.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
57 words
60 . The stent of claim 59 , wherein each connecting strut forming a stair-step pattern with at least one substantially horizontal segment and at least one substantially slant-angled segment, wherein a stair-step pattern of a connecting strut may have a radius of curvature at a junction between a substantially horizontal segment and a substantially slant-angled segment.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
41 words
61 . The stent of claim 60 , wherein a radius of curvature at a junction between a substantially horizontal segment and a substantially slant-angled segment may have a wide angle radius of curvature or a narrow angle radius of curvature.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
32 words
62 . The stent of claim 56 , wherein each connecting strut forms a curvilinear corrugated pattern as a results of adding variable degrees of radius of curvature to a stair-step pattern.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
41 words
63 . The stent of claim 56 , wherein each connecting strut forms a curvilinear corrugated pattern as a results of adding variable degrees of radius of curvature to the junction between the substantially horizontal segment and the substantially slant-angled segment.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
80 words
64 . The stent of claim 36 , further comprising: a third expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that couple adjacent individual expansion struts, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a second connecting strut column including a plurality of individual connecting struts, wherein each of an end of an individual connecting strut extends from contra-lateral sides of expansion strut pair loops of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
69 words
65 . The stent of claim 64 , further comprising: a plurality of expansion columns coupled by a plurality of connecting strut columns, each of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column having a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the connecting struts in a connecting strut column extend in an opposite direction relative to the longitudinal axis of connecting struts in an adjacent connecting strut column.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
75 words
66 . The stent of claim 65 , wherein the longitudinal axis of each of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column has a diagonal angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the stent, each longitudinal axis of the connecting struts in a connecting strut column having a diagonal angle in an opposite direction relative to a diagonal angle of each longitudinal axis of the connecting strut in an adjacent connecting strut columns.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
60 words
67 . The stent of claim 65 , wherein a diagonal angle of the longitudinal axis of each connecting strut in one connecting strut column having opposite direction in an alternating pattern in relation to a diagonal angle of the longitudinal axis of each connecting strut in an adjacent connecting strut column in a plurality of consecutive connecting strut columns.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
28 words
68 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein the first expansion column, the second expansion column and the first connecting strut column define a plurality of cells.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
14 words
69 . The stent of claim 68 , wherein the cells have asymmetrical geometries.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
19 words
70 . The stent of claim 68 , wherein the cells have evenly spaced geometric shapes throughout the stent.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
24 words
71 . The stent of claim 68 , wherein, the cells have substantially six sides when the stent is in a nominally expanded state.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
24 words
72 . The stent of claim 68 , the cells have substantially hexagonal geometric configurations when the stent is in a nominally expanded state.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
40 words
73 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein each end of a connecting strut is an extension of an expansion strut that extends from contra-lateral sides of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
25 words
74 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein each expansion strut has at least one stair-step segment at one end of the expansion strut.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
43 words
75 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein one expansion strut of an expansion strut pair has a stair-step segment at a proximal end and the other expansion strut of the expansion strut pair has a stair-step segment at a distal end.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
21 words
76 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein the first and second expansion columns each form a corrugated expansion ring.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
40 words
77 . The stent of claim 36 , wherein each end of a connecting strut is an extension of an expansion strut that extends from contra-lateral sides of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
111 words
78 . A stent in a non-expanded state, comprising: a first expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that couple adjacent individual expansion struts, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a second expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that couple adjacent individual expansion struts, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a first connecting strut column including a plurality of individual connecting struts, wherein each of an end of an individual connecting strut extends from ipsi-lateral sides of expansion strut pair loops of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
111 words
78 . A stent in a non-expanded state, comprising: a first expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that couple adjacent individual expansion struts, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a second expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that couple adjacent individual expansion struts, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a first connecting strut column including a plurality of individual connecting struts, wherein each of an end of an individual connecting strut extends from ipsi-lateral sides of expansion strut pair loops of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
161 words
79 . A stent in a non-expanded state, comprising: a first expansion column including individual expansion struts each having a stair-step segment at one end, the individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pairs with a loop that couples adjacent individual expansion struts to form an expansion strut pair, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a second expansion column including individual expansion struts each having a stair-step segment at one end, the individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pairs with a loop that couples adjacent individual expansion struts to form an expansion strut pair, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a first connecting strut column including a plurality of individual connecting struts each having a first segment and a second segment, wherein at least a portion of the first segment is positioned in close proximity to a loop of an expansion strut pair in the first expansion column.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
161 words
79 . A stent in a non-expanded state, comprising: a first expansion column including individual expansion struts each having a stair-step segment at one end, the individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pairs with a loop that couples adjacent individual expansion struts to form an expansion strut pair, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a second expansion column including individual expansion struts each having a stair-step segment at one end, the individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pairs with a loop that couples adjacent individual expansion struts to form an expansion strut pair, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a first connecting strut column including a plurality of individual connecting struts each having a first segment and a second segment, wherein at least a portion of the first segment is positioned in close proximity to a loop of an expansion strut pair in the first expansion column.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
40 words
80 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein each end of a connecting strut is an extension of an expansion strut that extends from contra-lateral sides of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
25 words
81 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein each expansion strut has at least one stair-step segment at one end of the expansion strut.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
43 words
82 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein one expansion strut of an expansion strut pair has a stair-step segment at a proximal end and the other expansion strut of the expansion strut pair has a stair-step segment at a distal end.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
57 words
83 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein the plurality of individual connecting struts of the first connecting strut column each have a first segment and a second segment, and at least a portion of the first segment is positioned in close proximity in front of an expansion strut pair loop of the first expansion column.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
36 words
84 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein at least a portion of the second section is positioned in close proximity to in front of an expansion strut pair loop of the second expansion column.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
19 words
85 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein close proximity is a distance of at least 0.001 inch.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
18 words
86 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein close proximity is a distance less than 0.04 inch.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
32 words
87 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein at least one end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut from the first or second expansion column.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
40 words
88 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein each end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut, extending from contra-lateral sides of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
44 words
89 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein at least one end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut, extending from contra-lateral side of one of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
43 words
90 . The stent of claim 89 , wherein at least one end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut, extending ipsi-lateral side of one of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
26 words
91 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is non-perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
27 words
92 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
31 words
93 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is substantially diagonal in angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
27 words
94 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
40 words
95 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis, and substantially every longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in the first connecting column is parallel to the others in the first connecting column.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
64 words
96 . The stent of claim 79 , further comprising: a plurality of expansion columns coupled by a plurality of connecting strut columns, wherein each of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column has a longitudinal axis, and substantially every longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in a connecting column is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connecting struts in that column.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
65 words
97 . The stent of claim 79 , further comprising: a plurality of expansion columns coupled by a plurality of connecting strut columns, wherein each of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column has a longitudinal axis, and substantially every longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in a connecting column is at a diagonal angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim
50 words
98 . The stent of claim 97 , wherein each longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column is parallel to the longitudinal axes of other connecting strut in the same connecting strut column at a diagonal angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 103
Dependent Claim
17 words
99 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein each connecting strut forms a double stair-step pattern.
Claim 104
Dependent Claim
18 words
100 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein each connecting strut forms more than one stair-step pattern.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim
18 words
101 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein each connecting strut forms at least one stair-step pattern.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
40 words
102 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein each connecting strut forms at least one stair-step pattern, wherein each stair-step pattern has at least one substantially horizontal segment and at least one substantially slant-angled segment in an unbroken fashion.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
57 words
103 . The stent of claim 102 , wherein each connecting strut forming a stair-step pattern with at least one substantially horizontal segment and at least one substantially slant-angled segment, wherein a stair-step pattern of a connecting strut may have a radius of curvature at a junction between a substantially horizontal segment and a substantially slant-angled segment.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
41 words
104 . The stent of claim 103 , wherein a radius of curvature at a junction between a substantially horizontal segment and a substantially slant-angled segment may have a wide angle radius of curvature or a narrow angle radius of curvature.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
32 words
105 . The stent of claim 98 , wherein each connecting strut forms a curvilinear corrugated pattern as a results of adding variable degrees of radius of curvature to a stair-step pattern.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
41 words
106 . The stent of claim 98 , wherein each connecting strut forms a curvilinear corrugated pattern as a results of adding variable degrees of radius of curvature to the junction between the substantially horizontal segment and the substantially slant-angled segment.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
109 words
107 The stent of claim 79 , further comprising: a third expansion column including individual expansion struts each having a stair-step segment at one end, the individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pairs with a loop that couples adjacent individual expansion struts to form an expansion strut pair, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a second connecting strut column including a plurality of individual connecting struts each having a first segment and a second segment, wherein at least a portion of the first segment is positioned in close proximity to a loop of an expansion strut pair in the first expansion column.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
46 words
108 . The stent of claim 106 , wherein each connecting strut in the first connecting strut column has a first longitudinal axis and each connecting strut in the second connecting strut column has a second longitudinal axis that is non-parallel to the first longitudinal axis.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
69 words
109 . The stent of claim 106 , further comprising: a plurality of expansion columns coupled by a plurality of connecting strut columns, each of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column having a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the connecting struts in a connecting strut column extend in an opposite direction relative to the longitudinal axis of connecting struts in an adjacent connecting strut column.
Claim 114
Dependent Claim
73 words
110 . The stent of claim 108 , wherein the longitudinal axis of a connecting strut of a connecting strut column has a diagonal angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the stent, each longitudinal axis of the connecting struts in a connecting strut column having a diagonal angle in an opposite direction relative to a diagonal angle of the longitudinal axes of the connecting strut in an adjacent connecting strut columns.
Claim 115
Dependent Claim
60 words
111 . The stent of claim 108 , wherein a diagonal angle of the longitudinal axis of each connecting strut in one connecting strut column having opposite direction in an alternating pattern in relation to a diagonal angle of the longitudinal axis of each connecting strut in an adjacent connecting strut column of a plurality of consecutive connecting strut columns.
Claim 116
Dependent Claim
28 words
112 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein the first expansion column, the second expansion column and the first connecting strut column define a plurality of cells.
Claim 117
Dependent Claim
14 words
113 . The stent of claim 111 , wherein the cells have asymmetrical geometries.
Claim 118
Dependent Claim
19 words
114 . The stent of claim 111 , wherein the cells have evenly spaced geometric shapes throughout the stent.
Claim 119
Dependent Claim
24 words
115 . The stent of claim 111 , wherein, the cells have substantially six sides when the stent is in a nominally expanded state.
Claim 120
Dependent Claim
24 words
116 . The stent of claim 111 , the cells have substantially hexagonal geometric configurations when the stent is in a nominally expanded state.
Claim 121
Dependent Claim
21 words
117 . The stent of claim 79 , wherein the first and second expansion columns each form a corrugated expansion ring.
Claim 122
Dependent Claim
115 words
118 . A stent in a non-expanded state, comprising: a first expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that form first and second bifurcated expansion strut arms at expansion strut bifurcation points, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a second expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that form first and second bifurcated expansion strut arms at expansion strut bifurcation points, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a first connecting strut column including a plurality of individual connecting struts, wherein, one of the expansion strut arms forms a portion of a connecting strut.
Claim 123
Dependent Claim
115 words
118 . A stent in a non-expanded state, comprising: a first expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that form first and second bifurcated expansion strut arms at expansion strut bifurcation points, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a second expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that form first and second bifurcated expansion strut arms at expansion strut bifurcation points, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a first connecting strut column including a plurality of individual connecting struts, wherein, one of the expansion strut arms forms a portion of a connecting strut.
Claim 124
Dependent Claim
32 words
119 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein at least one end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut from the first or second expansion column.
Claim 125
Dependent Claim
40 words
120 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein each end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut, extending from contra-lateral sides of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 126
Dependent Claim
44 words
121 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein at least one end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut, extending from contra-lateral side of one of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 127
Dependent Claim
44 words
122 . The stent of claim 121 , wherein at least one end of a connecting strut is an extension arm of an expansion strut, extending from ipsi-lateral side of one of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 128
Dependent Claim
26 words
123 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is non-perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 129
Dependent Claim
27 words
124 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 130
Dependent Claim
31 words
125 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is substantially diagonal in angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 131
Dependent Claim
27 words
126 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 132
Dependent Claim
40 words
127 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein each connecting strut has a longitudinal axis, and substantially every longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in the first connecting column is parallel to the others in the first connecting column.
Claim 133
Dependent Claim
64 words
128 . The stent of claim 118 , further comprising: a plurality of expansion columns coupled by a plurality of connecting strut columns, wherein each of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column has a longitudinal axis, and substantially every longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in a connecting column is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the connecting struts in that column.
Claim 134
Dependent Claim
65 words
129 . The stent of claim 118 , further comprising: a plurality of expansion columns coupled by a plurality of connecting strut columns, wherein each of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column has a longitudinal axis, and substantially every longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in a connecting column is at a diagonal angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 135
Dependent Claim
50 words
130 . The stent of claim 129 , wherein each longitudinal axis of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column is parallel to the longitudinal axes of other connecting strut in the same connecting strut column at a diagonal angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 136
Dependent Claim
17 words
131 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein each connecting strut forms a double stair-step pattern.
Claim 137
Dependent Claim
18 words
132 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein each connecting strut forms more than one stair-step pattern.
Claim 138
Dependent Claim
18 words
133 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein each connecting strut forms at least one stair-step pattern.
Claim 139
Dependent Claim
40 words
134 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein each connecting strut forms at least one stair-step pattern, wherein each stair-step pattern has at least one substantially horizontal segment and at least one substantially slant-angled segment in an unbroken fashion.
Claim 140
Dependent Claim
57 words
135 . The stent of claim 134 , wherein each connecting strut forming a stair-step pattern with at least one substantially horizontal segment and at least one substantially slant-angled segment, wherein a stair-step pattern of a connecting strut may have a radius of curvature at a junction between a substantially horizontal segment and a substantially slant-angled segment.
Claim 141
Dependent Claim
41 words
136 . The stent of claim 135 , wherein a radius of curvature at a junction between a substantially horizontal segment and a substantially slant-angled segment may have a wide angle radius of curvature or a narrow angle radius of curvature.
Claim 142
Dependent Claim
32 words
137 . The stent of claim 131 , wherein each connecting strut forms a curvilinear corrugated pattern as a results of adding variable degrees of radius of curvature to a stair-step pattern.
Claim 143
Dependent Claim
41 words
138 . The stent of claim 131 , wherein each connecting strut forms a curvilinear corrugated pattern as a results of adding variable degrees of radius of curvature to the junction between the substantially horizontal segment and the substantially slant-angled segment.
Claim 144
Dependent Claim
76 words
139 . The stent of claim 118 , further comprising: a third expansion column including individual expansion struts forming a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that form first and second bifurcated expansion strut arms at expansion strut bifurcation points, wherein two adjacent expansion strut pairs share a common strut; a second connecting strut column including a plurality of individual connecting struts, wherein, one of the expansion strut arms forms a portion of a connecting strut.
Claim 145
Dependent Claim
46 words
140 . The stent of claim 139 , wherein each connecting strut in the first connecting strut column has a first longitudinal axis and each connecting strut in the second connecting strut column has a second longitudinal axis that is non-parallel to the first longitudinal axis.
Claim 146
Dependent Claim
69 words
141 . The stent of claim 139 , further comprising: a plurality of expansion columns coupled by a plurality of connecting strut columns, each of a connecting strut in a connecting strut column having a longitudinal axis, wherein the longitudinal axis of the connecting struts in a connecting strut column extend in an opposite direction relative to the longitudinal axis of connecting struts in an adjacent connecting strut column.
Claim 147
Dependent Claim
75 words
142 . The stent of claim 141 , wherein the longitudinal axis of each of a connecting strut of a connecting strut column has a diagonal angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the stent, each longitudinal axis of the connecting struts in a connecting strut column having a diagonal angle in an opposite direction relative to a diagonal angle of the longitudinal axes of the connecting strut in an adjacent connecting strut columns.
Claim 148
Dependent Claim
60 words
143 . The stent of claim 141 , wherein a diagonal angle of the longitudinal axis of each connecting strut in one connecting strut column having opposite direction in an alternating pattern in relation to a diagonal angle of the longitudinal axis of each connecting strut in an adjacent connecting strut column of a plurality of consecutive connecting strut columns.
Claim 149
Dependent Claim
28 words
144 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein the first expansion column, the second expansion column and the first connecting strut column define a plurality of cells.
Claim 150
Dependent Claim
14 words
145 . The stent of claim 144 , wherein the cells have asymmetrical geometries.
Claim 151
Dependent Claim
19 words
146 . The stent of claim 144 , wherein the cells have evenly spaced geometric shapes throughout the stent.
Claim 152
Dependent Claim
24 words
147 . The stent of claim 144 , wherein, the cells have substantially six sides when the stent is in a nominally expanded state.
Claim 153
Dependent Claim
25 words
148 . The stent of claim 144 , wherein the cells have substantially hexagonal geometric configurations when the stent is in a nominally expanded state.
Claim 154
Dependent Claim
40 words
149 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein each end of a connecting strut is an extension of an expansion strut that extends from contra-lateral sides of two opposing expansion strut pairs of the first and second expansion columns.
Claim 155
Dependent Claim
25 words
150 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein each expansion strut has at least one stair-step segment at one end of the expansion strut.
Claim 156
Dependent Claim
43 words
151 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein one expansion strut of an expansion strut pair has a stair-step segment at a proximal end and the other expansion strut of the expansion strut pair has a stair-step segment at a distal end.
Claim 157
Dependent Claim
21 words
152 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein the first and second expansion columns each form a corrugated expansion ring.
Claim 158
Dependent Claim
35 words
153 . The stent of claim 118 , wherein the individual expansion struts of the first and second expansion column form a plurality of expansion strut pair loops that couple two adjacent individual expansion struts.
Claim 159
Dependent Claim
28 words
154 . The stent of claim 153 , wherein expansion strut pair loops of the first and second expansion columns are aligned in a peak to valley geometry.
Claim 160
Dependent Claim
28 words
155 . The stent of claim 153 , wherein expansion strut pair loops of the first and second expansion columns are aligned in a peak to peak geometry.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US6193747B1
Cited
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