Non-foreshortening intraluminal prosthesis

Abstract

A stent has a plurality of cells disposed about the circumference of the stent, with at least one cell having a plurality of struts that are connected together to form the cell. At least one strut has a portion that compensates for foreshortening of the struts during expansion of the stent.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A stent comprising: 
 a plurality of cells disposed about the circumference of the stent, with at least one cell having a plurality of struts that are connected together to form the cell, with at least one strut having a compensating portion that compensates for foreshortening of the struts during expansion of the stent.    
     
     
         2 . The stent of    claim 1   , further including a connecting member for coupling two adjacent cells.  
     
     
         3 . The stent of    claim 1   , wherein the compensating portion has at least one area of inflection.  
     
     
         4 . The stent of    claim 1   , wherein the compensating portion has an internal area of inflection and an external area of inflection.  
     
     
         5 . The stent of    claim 1   , wherein each of the struts has a compensating portion.  
     
     
         6 . The stent of    claim 1   , wherein each of the plurality of cells has four struts that define a generally diamond-shaped configuration having four apices, with a compensating portion provided at one of the apices.  
     
     
         7 . The stent of    claim 6   , wherein a compensating portion is provided at two of the apices.  
     
     
         8 . The stent of    claim 6   , wherein a compensating portion is provided at all the apices.  
     
     
         9 . The stent of    claim 6   , wherein the compensating portion is C-shaped.  
     
     
         10 . The stent of    claim 6   , wherein the compensating portion is connects apices between two adjacent cells.  
     
     
         11 . The stent of    claim 10   , wherein the compensating portion is S-shaped.  
     
     
         12 . The stent of    claim 10   , wherein the compensating portion is C-shaped.  
     
     
         13 . The stent of    claim 1   , wherein each strut is completely curved.  
     
     
         14 . The stent of    claim 1   , wherein the plurality of cells is a first plurality of cells that defines a first plurality of rows and columns, and wherein the stent further includes a second plurality of cells that defines a second plurality of rows and columns.  
     
     
         15 . The stent of    claim 14   , wherein the configuration of the first plurality of cells is a substantial mirror image of the second plurality of cells.  
     
     
         16 . The stent of    claim 1   , wherein the plurality of cells is a first plurality of cells that is provided along a first length of the stent, and wherein the stent further includes a second plurality of cells that-is provided along a second length of the stent.  
     
     
         17 . The stent of    claim 1   , wherein the compensating portion is curved.  
     
     
         18 . The stent of    claim 1   , wherein each cell has a plurality of apices that are defined by the plurality of struts, and each of the plurality of struts includes a first strut and a second strut to define a double-strut configuration, with each of the first and second struts having a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends of the first and second struts are connected to a first apex, and the second ends of the first and second struts are connected to a second apex.  
     
     
         19 . The stent of    claim 18   , wherein the first and second struts of each of the plurality of struts defines a space therebetween.  
     
     
         20 . A stent comprising a plurality of cells disposed about the circumference of the stent, with at least one cell having a plurality of double-struts that are connected together to form the cell.  
     
     
         21 . The stent of    claim 20   , wherein each cell has a plurality of apices that are defined by the plurality of double-struts, and with each of double-struts having a first end and a second end, wherein the first ends of the double-struts are connected to a first apex, and the second ends of the double-struts are connected to a second apex.  
     
     
         22 . The stent of    claim 21   , wherein each double-strut defines a space therebetween.