US6010529A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Expandable shielded vessel support
Assignee: Atrium Medical Corp
•
Filing: 1996-12-03
•
Granted: 2000-01-04
•
Expires: 2016-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A radially expandable support body is enveloped within a cocoon. In a preferred construction, the support is a stent, and a tube of polymeric material, e.g. polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), passes through the interior of the stent body and is turned back upon itself over the stent to form a cuff. The assembly is then heated and the outer layer contacts and coalesces with the inner layer, closely surrounding the stent body within a folded envelope having a continuous and seamless end. In one embodiment, an end portion of the tube is expanded before folding back over the stent. The end portion, which becomes an exterior surface of the finished product, thus acquires a greater degree of porosity. Each end of the central tube may be so expanded, and folded back to seal all surfaces and both ends. The stent body itself may be a ring, or a short series of spaced-apart rings, or a wire or web, or a sheet possessing a number of apertures extending entirely through the sheet. The spaces or apertures are covered over or bridged by both the inner and outer polymer layers. The apertures, which may comprise under five to over eighty percent of the surface area of the stent, constitute regions or a grid of points through which the material is coalesced and continuously bonded, and around which strain is distributed by the support. These points or regions remain tacked together so expansion of the assembly does not delaminate the polymer or create flaps and pockets. In another embodiment, a two tube construction is cuffed and assembled into a similarly unitized and seamless stent. One tube is cuffed back, and the other tube covers the cuffed stent. In this embodiment both the tube thicknesses and porosities may differ substantially. For example the inner porosity may be selected to enhance blood flow or intimal regeneration, and the outer surface may have a porosity to encourage anchoring to external muscle tissue.
Inventors
- 👤 Steve A. Herweck
- 👤 Peter Gingras
- 👤 Paul Martakos
- 👤 Theodore Karwoski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:27
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/04; A61F2/06; A61F2/07; A61F2/82; A61F2/86; A61F2/88; A61L; A61L31/00; A61L31/04; A61L31/08; A61L31/10; C; C08; C08L; C08L27/00; C08L27/02; C08L27/12; C08L27/18; A61F2/10; A61F2/105; A61F2002/072; A61F2240/00; A61F2240/001; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/901
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of fabricating a stent, comprising the steps of: positioning a tube formed of radially expandable polymer centrally in a stent body, radially expanding a first portion of the tube, folding back the radially expanded first portion of the tube over a second portion of the tube so the tube extends inside and outside the stent body and forms a cuff seamlessly and continuously enclosing at least one end of the stent body within a cocoon, and coalescing the tube to seal the stent body within the cocoon.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of fabricating a stent, comprising the steps of: positioning a tube formed of radially expandable polymer centrally in a stent body, radially expanding a first portion of the tube, folding back the radially expanded first portion of the tube over a second portion of the tube so the tube extends inside and outside the stent body and forms a cuff seamlessly and continuously enclosing at least one end of the stent body within a cocoon, and coalescing the tube to seal the stent body within the cocoon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the step of coalescing includes a step of heating a contract and join the tube to the stent body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, including the step of increasing porosity of the radially expanded first portion of the tube.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of fabricating a stent, comprising the steps of; positioning a tube formed of radially expandable polymer within a stent body, the tube having a first end and a second end, folding the first end of the tube over a first end of the stent body to form a first cuff enclosing the first end of the stent body within a cocoon, folding the second end of the tube over a second end of the stent body to form a second cuff enclosing the second end of the stent body within a cocoon, and coalescing the tube to seal the first end of the stent body within the first cuff and the second end of the stent body within the second cuff.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of fabricating a stent, comprising the steps of; positioning a tube formed of radially expandable polymer within a stent body, the tube having a first end and a second end, folding the first end of the tube over a first end of the stent body to form a first cuff enclosing the first end of the stent body within a cocoon, folding the second end of the tube over a second end of the stent body to form a second cuff enclosing the second end of the stent body within a cocoon, and coalescing the tube to seal the first end of the stent body within the first cuff and the second end of the stent body within the second cuff.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the step of coalescing includes the step of heating to contract and join the tube to the stent body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of increasing porosity of the first end of the tube.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4, wherein the step of folding the first end includes the step of extending the first cuff to the middle of the tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the step of folding the second end includes the step of extending the second cuff to the middle of the tube adjacent the first cuff to form a middle seam therebetween.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 7, wherein the step of folding the second end includes the step of extending the second cuff over the first cuff.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
A stent comprising: a radially expandable member, and A polymer tube having first and second ends, a portion of the polymer tube being positioned within the radially expandable member, the first end of the polymer tube being folded over a first end of the radially expandable member to form a first cuff, the second end of the polymer tube being folded over a second end of the radially expandable member to form a second cuff, wherein the second cuff overlaps the first cuff.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
83 words
A stent comprising: a radially expandable member, and A polymer tube having first and second ends, a portion of the polymer tube being positioned within the radially expandable member, the first end of the polymer tube being folded over a first end of the radially expandable member to form a first cuff, the second end of the polymer tube being folded over a second end of the radially expandable member to form a second cuff, wherein the second cuff overlaps the first cuff.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The stent of claim 10, wherein the first end of the polymer tube has a porosity greater than the porosity of the portion of the polymer tube positioned within the radially expandable member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The stent of claim 10, wherein the first and second ends of the polymer tube have a porosity greater than the porosity of the portion of the polymer tube positioned within the radially expandable member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stent of claim 10, wherein the polymeric tube is constructed from polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The stent of claim 10, wherein the radially expandable member comprises a spiral-shaped, zig-zag wire body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stent of claim 10, wherein the radially expandable member comprises a plurality of spaced-apart expansion rings.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
68 words
An expandable vessel support comprising: a tube of polymeric material having first and second ends, a first expansion ring positioned at the first end of the tube, a second expansion ring position at the second end of the tube, and a third expansion ring positioned between the first and second ends, the third expansion ring being expandable to a greater diameter than the first and second expansion rings.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
68 words
An expandable vessel support comprising: a tube of polymeric material having first and second ends, a first expansion ring positioned at the first end of the tube, a second expansion ring position at the second end of the tube, and a third expansion ring positioned between the first and second ends, the third expansion ring being expandable to a greater diameter than the first and second expansion rings.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
The expandable vessel support of claim 16, wherein the first and second expansion rings are constructed from a heavier gauge material than the third expansion ring.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The expandable vessel support of claim 16, wherein the expansion rings are positioned within pockets formed in the tube of polymeric material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
13 words
The expandable vessel support of claim 16, wherein the polymeric material is PTFE.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
68 words
An expandable vessel support comprising: a tube of polymeric material having first and second ends, a first expansion ring positioned at the first end of the tube, a second expansion ring position at the second end of the tube, and a third expansion ring positioned between the first and second ends, the first and second expansion rings being expandable to a greater diameter than the third expansion ring.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
68 words
An expandable vessel support comprising: a tube of polymeric material having first and second ends, a first expansion ring positioned at the first end of the tube, a second expansion ring position at the second end of the tube, and a third expansion ring positioned between the first and second ends, the first and second expansion rings being expandable to a greater diameter than the third expansion ring.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vessel support of claim 20, wherein the third expansion ring is constructed from a heavier gauge material than the first and second expansion rings.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The vessel support of claim 20, wherein the expansion rings are positioned within pockets formed in the tube of polymeric material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
12 words
The vessel support of claim 20, wherein the polymeric material is PTFE.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
68 words
An expandable vessel support comprising: a tube of polymeric material having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being constructed to have greater radial tensile strength than a portion of the tube between the first and second ends to permit increased expansion of the portion of the tube between the first and second ends, the tube having a radially tapered configuration when expanded.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
68 words
An expandable vessel support comprising: a tube of polymeric material having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being constructed to have greater radial tensile strength than a portion of the tube between the first and second ends to permit increased expansion of the portion of the tube between the first and second ends, the tube having a radially tapered configuration when expanded.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The vessel support of claim 24, wherein the polymeric material is PTFE.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
62 words
An expandable vessel support comprising: a tube of polymeric material having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being constructed to have less radial tensile strength than a portion of the tube between the first and second ends to permit increased expansion of the first and second ends, the tube having a radially tapered configuration when expanded.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
62 words
An expandable vessel support comprising: a tube of polymeric material having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends being constructed to have less radial tensile strength than a portion of the tube between the first and second ends to permit increased expansion of the first and second ends, the tube having a radially tapered configuration when expanded.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
12 words
The vessel support of claim 24, wherein the polymeric material is PTFE.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of fabricating an expandable vessel support having a radially tapered configuration when expanded, the method comprising the steps of: forming a tube of polymeric material having a first and a second end, sintering the first and second ends of the tube for a time period longer than a portion of the tube between the first and second ends to increase the radial tensile strength of the first and second ends and provide a radially tapered configuration to the tube when expanded.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of fabricating an expandable vessel support having a radially tapered configuration when expanded, the method comprising the steps of: forming a tube of polymeric material having a first and a second end, sintering the first and second ends of the tube for a time period longer than a portion of the tube between the first and second ends to increase the radial tensile strength of the first and second ends and provide a radially tapered configuration to the tube when expanded.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 28, wherein step of sintering occurs without restraining the tube.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of fabricating an expandable vessel support having a radially tapered configuration when expanded, the method comprising the steps of: forming a tube of polymeric material having a first and a second end, sintering the first and second ends of the tube for a time period shorter than a portion of the tube between the first and second ends to reduce the radial tensile strength of the first and second ends and provide a radially tapered configuration to the tube when expanded.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
83 words
A method of fabricating an expandable vessel support having a radially tapered configuration when expanded, the method comprising the steps of: forming a tube of polymeric material having a first and a second end, sintering the first and second ends of the tube for a time period shorter than a portion of the tube between the first and second ends to reduce the radial tensile strength of the first and second ends and provide a radially tapered configuration to the tube when expanded.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 30, wherein step of sintering occurs without restraining the tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US31618A
Cited
US3105492A
Cited
US3479670A
Cited
FR2248015A1
Cited
US3993078A
Cited
US4208745A
Cited
US4234535A
Cited
US4193138A
Cited
US4130904A
Cited
USRE31618E
Cited
US4321711A
Cited
US4731073A
Cited
US4647416A
Cited
US4550447A
Cited
US4629458A
Cited
EP0233102A1
Cited
US5028597A
Cited
EP0256748A2
Cited
EP0269449A2
Cited
US5061276A
Cited
US4816339A
Cited
US4955899A
Cited
US5152782A
Cited
DE3918736A1
Cited
US5225131A
Cited
US5064593A
Cited
US5123917A
Cited
US5571173A
Cited
US5163951A
Cited
US5413597A
Cited
US5282847A
Cited
US5217666A
Cited
US5234739A
Cited
US5453278A
Cited
US5320100A
Cited
US5197976A
Cited
US5192310A
Cited
US5411550A
Cited
US5229045A
Cited
US5282860A
Cited
US5433909A
Cited
US5354329A
Cited
EP0605243A1
Cited
US5534287A
Cited
US5571169A
Cited
WO1995005277A1
Cited
US5735892A
Cited
US5718973A
Cited
US5700285A
Cited
WO1995005555A1
Cited
WO1995005132A1
Cited
US5389106A
Cited
US5527353A
Cited
US5549663A
Cited
US5683451A
Cited
US5755774A
Cited
WO1996000103A1
Cited
US5522881A
Cited
US5556426A
Cited
US5512360A
Cited
US5741324A
Cited
US5755770A
Cited
US5674241A
Cited
US5556414A
Cited
WO1996028115A1
Cited
US5667523A
Cited
US5769882A
Cited
US5628788A
Cited
US5607478A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-03 | 2003-07-05 | 2004-01-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-03 | 2007-07-05 | 2008-01-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-03 | 2011-07-05 | 2012-01-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |