U.S. patent application number 10/353353 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-26 for stent with dual support structure.
This patent application is currently assigned to Intra Therapeutics, Inc.. Invention is credited to Thompson, Paul J..
Application Number | 20030120336 10/353353 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26727216 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030120336 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thompson, Paul J. |
June 26, 2003 |
Stent with dual support structure
Abstract
A intraluminal stent comprises a reticulated tube having an
un-deployed diameter and expandable to an enlarged diameter. The
tube includes a structural beam extending between first and second
ends. The structural beam changes from a first geometry to a second
geometry when the tube changes from the un-deployed diameter to the
enlarged diameter. The structural beam includes first and second
longitudinal elements each extending at least partially between the
first and second ends and with a spacing between the first and
second elements. Each of said first and second elements changes
from the first geometry to the second geometry when the tube
changes from the un-deployed diameter to the enlarged diameter for
the spacing to remain substantially unchanged as the tube changes
from the un-deployed diameter to the enlarged diameter.
Inventors: |
Thompson, Paul J.; (New
Hope, MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Attention of David G. Schmaltz
MERCHANT & GOULD P.C.
P.O. Box 2903
Minneapolis
MN
55402-0903
US
|
Assignee: |
Intra Therapeutics, Inc.
St. Paul
MN
|
Family ID: |
26727216 |
Appl. No.: |
10/353353 |
Filed: |
January 28, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10353353 |
Jan 28, 2003 |
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09545246 |
Apr 7, 2000 |
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6533808 |
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09545246 |
Apr 7, 2000 |
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09069347 |
Apr 29, 1998 |
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6132461 |
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09069347 |
Apr 29, 1998 |
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09049486 |
Mar 27, 1998 |
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6132460 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
623/1.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F 2/91 20130101; A61F
2230/0013 20130101; A61F 2/915 20130101; A61F 2002/91566 20130101;
A61F 2002/91541 20130101; A61F 2002/91558 20130101; A61F 2002/91525
20130101; A61F 2230/0054 20130101; A61F 2002/91508 20130101; A61F
2250/001 20130101; A61F 2/86 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
623/1.15 |
International
Class: |
A61F 002/06 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An intraluminal stent comprising: a reticulated tube having an
un-deployed diameter and expandable to an enlarged diameter, said
tube having a stent axis; said tube including a structural beam
extending between first and second ends; said structural beam
changing from a first geometry to a second geometry when said tube
changes from said un-deployed diameter to said enlarged diameter;
said structural beam including first and second longitudinal
elements each extending at least partially between said first and
second ends and with a spacing between the first and second
elements; each of said first and second elements changing from said
first geometry to said second geometry when said tube changes from
said un-deployed diameter to said enlarged diameter for said
spacing to remain substantially unchanged as said tube changes from
said un-deployed diameter to said enlarged diameter.
2. An intraluminal stent according to claim 1 wherein said first
and second elements are mutually parallel both before and after
changing of said tube from said un-deployed diameter to said
enlarged diameter.
3. An intraluminal stent according to claim 1 wherein said first
and second elements each extend substantially an entire length of
said structural beam between said first and second ends.
4. An intraluminal stent according to claim 1 wherein a plurality
of disconnected slots are formed through said structural beam to
define a plurality of parallel first and second elements between
said first and second ends.
5. An intraluminal stent according to claim 1 wherein said beam and
said first and second elements are curved.
6. An intraluminal stent according to claim 1 wherein said beam and
said first and second elements are straight.
7. An intraluminal stent according to claim 1 wherein: said beam is
one of a plurality of beams with opposing surfaces defining an open
cell bounded by said beams, said cell having a major axis and a
minor axis; said plurality of beams including first and second
longitudinal beams each having: a. a longitudinal axis extending
parallel to and positioned on opposite sides of said cell major
axis; and b. an undulating pattern to define a plurality of peaks
and valleys spaced outwardly and inwardly, respectively, from said
longitudinal axes; said first and second longitudinal beams
interconnected at opposite ends thereof.
8. A stent according to claim 7 further comprising: first and
second longitudinal connection locations at interconnection points
of said interconnected first and second longitudinal beams for
connection of said cell to first and second longitudinally adjacent
cells, respectively; and first and second transverse connection
locations on said first and second longitudinal beams,
respectively, for connection of said cell to first and second
transversely adjacent cells, respectively.
9. A stent according to claim 7 wherein path lengths of said
longitudinal beams from said first and second transverse connection
locations to said first and second longitudinal connection
locations following expansion of said stent is substantially equal
to or less than said lengths prior to said expansion.
10. A stent according to claim 7 wherein: said cell is
substantially identical to adjacent cells; said major axis of said
cell is linearly aligned with major axes of said first and second
longitudinally adjacent cells; said minor axis of said cell is
linearly aligned with minor axes of said first and second
transversely adjacent cells; opposing surfaces of cell defining
portions of said cell, said longitudinally adjacent cells and said
transversely adjacent cells cooperate to define at least in part
obliquely adjacent cells.
Description
I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of
copending and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/049,486 filed Mar. 27, 1998, entitled "STENT" and naming Paul J.
Thompson as sole inventor.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention pertains to stents for use in intraluminal
applications. More particularly, this invention pertains to a novel
structure for such stents.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Stents are widely used for numerous applications where the
stent is placed in the lumen of a patient and expanded. Such stents
may be used in coronary or other vasculature, as well as other body
lumens.
[0006] Commonly, stents are cylindrical members. The stents expand
from reduced diameters to enlarged diameters. Frequently, such
stents are placed on a balloon catheter with the stent in the
reduced-diameter state. So placed, the stent is advanced on the
catheter to a placement site. At the site, the balloon is inflated
to expand the stent to the enlarged diameter. The balloon is
deflated and removed, leaving the enlarged diameter stent in place.
So used, such stents are used to expand occluded sites within a
patient's vasculature or other lumen.
[0007] Examples of prior art stents are numerous. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,449,373 to Pinchasik et al. teaches a stent with at
least two rigid segments joined by a flexible connector. U.S. Pat.
No. 5,695,516 to Fischell teaches a stent with a cell having a
butterfly shape when the stent is in a reduced-diameter state. Upon
expansion of the stent, the cell assumes a hexagonal shape.
[0008] In stent design, it is desirable for the stent to be
flexible along its longitudinal axis to permit passage of the stent
through arcuate segments of a patient's vasculature or other body
lumen. Preferably, the stent will have at most minimal longitudinal
shrinkage when expanded and will resist compressive forces once
expanded.
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, an intraluminal stent is disclosed. The stent comprises
a reticulated tube having an un-deployed diameter and expandable to
an enlarged diameter. The tube includes a structural beam extending
between first and second ends. The structural beam changes from a
first geometry to a second geometry when the tube changes from the
un-deployed diameter to the enlarged diameter. The structural beam
includes first and second longitudinal elements each extending at
least partially between the first and second ends and with a
spacing between the first and second elements. Each of said first
and second elements changes from the first geometry to the second
geometry when the tube changes from the un-deployed diameter to the
enlarged diameter for the spacing to remain substantially unchanged
as the tube changes from the un-deployed diameter to the enlarged
diameter.
IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
stent according to the present invention shown in a rest diameter
state and showing a plurality of stent cells each having a major
axis perpendicular to an axis of the stent;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the stent of FIG. 1 as it would
appear if it were longitudinally split and laid out flat;
[0012] FIG. 3 is the view of FIG. 2 following expansion of the
stent to an enlarged diameter;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2
illustrating a cell structure with material of the stent
surrounding adjacent cells shown in phantom lines;
[0016] FIG. 7 is the view of FIG. 2 showing an alternative
embodiment of the present invention with a cell having five peaks
per longitudinal segment;
[0017] FIG. 8 is the view of FIG. 2 showing an alternative
embodiment of the present invention with a major axis of the cell
being parallel to an axis of the stent;
[0018] FIG. 9 is the view of FIG. 5 following expansion of the
stent to an enlarged diameter;
[0019] FIG. 10 is a plan view of a first prior art stent as it
would appear if it were longitudinally split and laid out flat;
[0020] FIG. 11 is the view of FIG. 10 with the stent modified for
support beams to include parallel, spaced elements in accordance
with the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a second prior art stent as it
would appear if it were longitudinally split and laid out flat;
and
[0022] FIG. 13 is the view of FIG. 12 with the stent modified for
support beams to include parallel, spaced elements in accordance
with the present invention.
V. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0023] Referring now to the several drawing figures in which
identical elements are numbered identically, a description of the
preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be provided.
Where several embodiments are shown, common elements are similarly
numbered and not separately described with the addition of
apostrophes to distinguish the embodiments.
[0024] As will be more fully described, the present invention is
directed to a novel support beam for an expandable stent. The
support beam is applicable to a wide variety of stent designs. In a
preferred embodiment, the support beam will be used as a
longitudinal segment in a stent as described in the aforementioned
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/049,486 filed Mar. 27, 1998,
entitled "STENT" and naming Paul J. Thompson as sole inventor.
Therefore, such a stent will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 9. Subsequently, the use of the novel beam will be
described in use with other stent designs (i.e., those shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,373 to Pinchasik et al. and U.S. Pat. No.
5,695,516 to Fischell) to illustrate the broad range of
applicability of the novel support beam to a wide range of other
stent designs.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a stent 10 having a rest length L.sub.r
and an un-deployed or reduced diameter D.sub.r. The stent 10 is of
the design shown in the aforementioned U.S. patent application. The
slot of the novel beam construction, as will be described, is not
shown in FIG. 1.
[0026] For ease of illustration, the stent 10 is shown flat in FIG.
2 which illustrates a rest circumference C.sub.r
(C.sub.r=.pi.D.sub.r). In FIG. 2, locations A, B, C, D and E are
shown severed from their normally integrally formed locations
A.sub.1, B.sub.1, C.sub.1, D.sub.1 and E.sub.1. This permits the
stent 10 to be shown as if it were severed at normally integrally
formed locations A-A.sub.1, B-B.sub.1, C-C.sub.1, D-D.sub.1 and
E-E.sub.1 and laid flat. FIG. 6 is an enlarged portion of the view
of FIG. 2 to better illustrate a cell structure as will be
described.
[0027] The stent 10 is a reticulated, hollow tube. The stent 10 may
be expanded from the rest diameter D.sub.r (and corresponding rest
circumference C.sub.r) to an expanded or enlarged diameter. FIG. 3
is a view similar to FIG. 2 (i.e., illustrating the expanded stent
10 as it would appear if longitudinally split and laid flat). Since
FIG. 3 is a two-dimensional representation, the enlarged diameter
is not shown. However, the enlarged circumference C.sub.e is shown
as well as a length L.sub.e following expansion. The expanded
diameter is equal to C.sub.e/.pi..
[0028] As will be discussed length L.sub.e is preferably not more
than minimally smaller (e.g., less than 10% smaller) than length
L.sub.r. Ideally, L.sub.e equals L.sub.r.
[0029] The material of the stent 10 defines a plurality of cells
12. The cells 12 are bounded areas which are open (i.e., extend
through the wall thickness of the stent 10). The stent 10 may be
formed through any suitable means including laser or chemical
milling. In such processes, a hollow cylindrical tube is milled to
remove material and form the open cells 12.
[0030] The cells 12 have a longitudinal or major axis
X.sub.M-X.sub.M and a transverse or minor axis X.sub.m-X.sub.m. In
the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, the major axis X.sub.M-X.sub.M is
perpendicular to the longitudinal cylindrical axis X-X of the stent
10. In the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9, the major axis
X.sub.M'-X.sub.M' is parallel to the longitudinal cylindrical axis
X'-X' of the stent 10'. The cell 12 is symmetrical about axes
X.sub.M-X.sub.M and X.sub.m-X.sub.m.
[0031] The cell 12 is defined by portions of the tube material
including first and second longitudinal segments or support beams
14. The beams 14 each have a longitudinal axis X.sub.a-X.sub.a
(shown in FIG. 6). The beams' longitudinal axes X.sub.a-X.sub.a are
parallel to and positioned on opposite sides of the cell major axis
X.sub.M-X.sub.M.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 6, each of longitudinal beams 14 has an
undulating pattern to define a plurality of peaks 17, 21, 25 and
valleys 19, 23. The peaks 17, 21, 25 are spaced outwardly from the
longitudinal axes X.sub.a-X.sub.a and the valleys 19, 23 are spaced
inwardly from the longitudinal axes X.sub.a-X.sub.a. As used in
this context, "inward" and "outward" mean toward and away from,
respectively, the cell's major axis X.sub.M-X.sub.M.
[0033] Each of the peaks 17, 21, 25 and valleys 19, 23 is a
generally semi-circular arcuate segment. The peaks 17, 21, 25 and
valleys 19, 23 are joined by parallel and spaced-apart straight
segments 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 which extend perpendicular to
the major axis X.sub.M-X.sub.M. Linearly aligned straight end
portions 16, 26 of opposing segments 14 are joined at first and
second longitudinal connection locations 27 spaced apart on the
major axis X.sub.M-X.sub.M. First and second transverse connection
locations 28 are spaced apart on the minor axis X.sub.m-X.sub.m.
The first and second transverse connection locations 28 are
positioned at the apices of the center peaks 21 of the longitudinal
beams 14.
[0034] Slots 30 are formed through the complete thickness of each
of the beams 14. The slots 30 extend between first and second ends
31, 32. The first ends. 31 are adjacent the longitudinal connection
locations 27. The second ends 32 are adjacent the transverse
connection locations 28. The slots 30 divide the beams 14 into
first and second parallel elements 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2.
[0035] Except as will be described, the beams 14 have uniform
cross-sectional dimensions throughout their length as illustrated
in FIG. 4. By way of non-limiting example, the width W and
thickness T of the straight line segments 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26
are about 0.0065 inch (about 0.16 mm) and about 0.0057 inch (about
0.14 mm), respectively. The width W includes the widths (each of
equal width) of the two elements 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2 plus the width
W.sub.S of the slot 30. By way of a non-limiting example, the width
W.sub.S is in the range of 0.001 to 0.0025 inch. By way of another
non-limiting example, the width W.sub.S is less than 0.005
inch.
[0036] For reasons that will be described, the width W' (FIG. 5) at
the apices of the peaks 17, 21, 25 and valleys 19, 23 is narrower
than width W (in the example given, narrow width W' is about 0.0055
inch or about 0.13 mm). The width of the peaks 17, 21, 25 and
valleys 19, 23 gradually increases from width W' at the apices to
width W at the straight segments 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26. At the
longitudinal and transverse connection locations 27, 28, the width
W.sub.c (shown in FIG. 2) is preferably equal to or less than the
common width W. Preferably, the width W.sub.S of slot 30 remains
constant throughout its length.
[0037] The combined lengths of segments 16-20 to the apex of peak
21 represent a path length 50 from longitudinal connection location
27 to transverse connection location 28. Similarly the combined
lengths of the other arcuate and straight segments 22-26 to the
apex of peak 21 represent identical length path lengths 51 of
identical geometry from longitudinal connection locations 27 to
transverse connection locations 28. Each of the path lengths 50, 51
is longer than a straight-line distance between the transverse and
longitudinal connection locations 27, 28. As will be described, the
straight-line distance between the transverse and longitudinal
connection locations 27, 28 increases as the diameter of the stent
10 is expanded. The path lengths 50, 51 are sized to be not less
than the expanded straight-line distance.
[0038] The stent 10 includes a plurality of identical cells 12.
Opposite edges of the segments 14 define obliquely adjacent cells
(such as cells 12.sub.1, 12.sub.2 in FIG. 2). Cells 12 having major
axes X.sub.M-X.sub.M collinear with the major axis X.sub.M-X.sub.M
of cell 12 are interconnected at the longitudinal connection
locations 27. Cells having minor axes collinear with the minor axis
X.sub.m-X.sub.m of cell 12 are interconnected at the transverse
connection locations 28.
[0039] As mentioned, the stent 10 in the reduced diameter of FIG. 1
is advanced to a site in a lumen. The stent 10 is then expanded at
the site. The stent 10 may be expanded through any conventional
means. For example, the stent 10 in the reduced diameter may be
placed on the balloon tip of a catheter. At the site, the balloon
is expanded to generate radial forces on the interior of the stent
10. The radial forces urge the stent 10 to radially expand without
appreciable longitudinal expansion or contraction. Plastic
deformation of the material of the stent 10 (e.g., stainless steel)
results in the stent 10 retaining the expanded shape following
subsequent deflation of the balloon. Alternatively, the stent 10
may be formed of a super-elastic or shape memory material (such as
nitinol--a well-known stent material which is an alloy of nickel
and titanium).
[0040] As the stent 10 expands, the path lengths 50, 51 straighten
to accommodate the expansion. During such change in geometry of the
path lengths 50, 51, each of the elements 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2
similarly changes in geometry so that. At all times, the elements
14.sub.1, 14.sub.2 are mutually parallel and separated by spacing
30.
[0041] FIG. 3 illustrates the straightening of the path lengths 50,
51. In FIG. 3, the stent 10 has been only partially expanded to an
expanded diameter less than a maximum expanded diameter. At a
maximum expanded size, the path lengths 50, 51 are fully straight.
Further expansion of the stent 10 beyond the maximum expanded size
would result in narrowing of the minor axis X.sub.m-X.sub.m (i.e.,
a narrowing of a separation between the transverse connection
locations and a resulting narrowing of the length L.sub.r of the
stent) or would require stretching and thinning of the stent
material.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 3, during expansion of the stent 10, the
straight segments 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 are substantially
unchanged. The straightening of the path lengths 50, 51 results in
bending of the arcuate peaks 17, 21, 25 and valleys 19, 23. Since
the width W' of the peaks 17, 21, 25 and valleys 19, 23 is less
than the width W of the straight segments 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and
26, the arcuate peaks 17, 21, 25 and valleys 19, 23 are less stiff
than the straight segments 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 and,
therefore, more likely to deform during expansion.
[0043] As the geometry of the beams 14 changes during expansion,
the geometry of the first and second elements 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2
similarly changes so that the elements 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2 remain in
mutually parallel relation both before and after expansion. As used
in this application, the term "mutually parallel" means the spacing
30 between the elements 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2 is substantially
constant throughout the length of the elements 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2.
The elements 14.sub.1, 14.sub.2 and beam 14 may be curved or
straight throughout their lengths.
[0044] As the stent 10 expands, the cells 12 assume a diamond shape
shown in FIG. 3. Since the expansion forces are radial, the length
of the major axis X.sub.M-X.sub.M (i.e., the distance between the
longitudinal connection locations 27) increases. The length of the
minor axis X.sub.m-X.sub.m (and hence the length of the stent 10)
remains unchanged.
[0045] The stent 10 is highly flexible. To advance to a site, the
axis X-X of the stent 10 must bend to navigate through a curved
lumen. Further, for placement at a curved site in a lumen, the
stent 10 must be sufficiently flexible to retain a curved shape
following expansion and to bend as the lumen bends over time. The
stent 10, as described above, achieves these objections.
[0046] When bending on its axis X-X, the stent 10 tends to axially
compress on the inside of the bend and axially expand on the
outside of the bend. The present design permits such axial
expansion and contraction. The novel cell geometry 12 results in an
accordion-like structure which is highly flexible before and after
radial expansion. Further, the diamond shape of the cells 12 after
radial expansion resists constricting forces otherwise tending to
collapse the stent 10.
[0047] The dual support structure of the elements separated by the
slots increases flexibility without reducing resistance to
compression forces. Further, during expansion and during flexing of
the stent on its axis, the use of parallel, spaced elements
14.sub.1, 14.sub.2 results in lower stress levels than would be
experienced by a solid beam.
[0048] Numerous modifications are possible. For example the stent
10 may be lined with either an inner or outer sleeve (such as
polyester fabric or ePTFE) for tissue growth. Also, the stent may
be coated with radiopaque coatings such as platinum, gold, tungsten
or tantalum. In addition to materials previously discussed, the
stent may be formed of any one of a wide variety of previous known
materials including, without limitation, MP35N, tantalum, platinum,
gold, Elgiloy and Phynox.
[0049] While three cells 12 are shown in FIG. 2 longitudinally
connected surrounding the circumference C.sub.r of the stent, a
different number could be so connected to vary the properties of
the stent 10 as a designer may elect. Likewise, while each column
of cells 12 in FIG. 2 is shown as having three longitudinally
connected cells 12, the number of longitudinally connected cells 12
could vary to adjust the properties of the stent. Also, while each
longitudinal segment 14 is shown as having three peaks 17, 21, 25
per longitudinal segment 14, the number of peaks could vary. FIG. 7
illustrates a stent 10" with a cell 12" having five peaks 117",
17", 21", 25" and 125" per longitudinal segment 14". Preferably,
the longitudinal segment will have an odd number of peaks so that
the transverse connection points are at an apex of a center peak.
In FIG. 7, no slot is shown in the beams 14" for ease of
illustration.
[0050] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an alternative embodiment where the
major axis X.sub.M'-X.sub.M' of the cells 12' are parallel with the
cylindrical axis X'-X' of the stent 10'. In FIG. 9, the expanded
stent 10' is shown at a near fully expanded state where the path
lengths 50', 51' are substantially linear. In FIGS. 8 and 9, no
slots are shown in the beams 14' for ease of illustration.
[0051] FIGS. 10 and 12 illustrate prior art stent designs. FIG. 10
is a stent 10a as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,373 to Pinchasik et
al. and FIG. 12 is a stent 10b as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,516
to Fischell. Stent 10a is shown flat as if longitudinally split at
locations Aa-Aa.sub.1 through Pa-Pa.sub.1. Similarly, Stent 10b is
shown flat as if longitudinally split at locations Ab-Ab.sub.1
through Eb-Eb.sub.1.
[0052] Both of the designs of FIGS. 10 and 12 include solid
structural beams 14a, 14b. Beams 14a are curved when the stent 10a
is in a reduced diameter state. The beams 14a cooperate to define
cells 12a. The curved beams 14a straighten when the stent 10a
expands. The beams 14b are straight and cooperate to define a
butterfly-shaped cell 12b. Upon expansion, the beams 14b remain
straight but pivot for the cell 12b to assume a hexagon shape upon
expansion.
[0053] The dual support structure aspect of the present invention
is applicable to prior art stents such as those shown in FIGS. 10
and 12. FIGS. 11 and 13 show the prior art stents of FIGS. 10 and
11, respectively, modified according to the dual support structure
aspect of the present invention. Specifically, beams 14a', 14b' are
provided with slots 30a, 30b to divide the beams into parallel,
spaced first and second elements 14a.sub.1', 14a.sub.2' and
14b.sub.1', 14b.sub.2' having the benefits previously
described.
[0054] From the foregoing, the present invention has been shown in
a preferred embodiment. Modifications and equivalents are intended
to be included within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *