Stent

Abstract

A radially expandable stent comprising a plurality of spaced band-like elements and intersecting links is disclosed. The band-like elements have a generally serpentine configuration to provide continuous waves of generally sinusoidal character to each band-like element. The waves are characterized by a plurality of peaks and troughs taking a generally longitudinal direction along the cylinder such that the waves in the band-like elements open as the stent is expanded from a first diameter to a second diameter. The intersecting links are substantially U-shaped and terminate in first and second shanks. The first shank of a link emanates from a region between a peak and trough on a band-like element and the second shank of the link emanates from a region between a peak and trough on an adjacent band-like element.

1 - 61 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         62 . A medical device comprising: 
 a stent, the stent comprising a hollow, cylindrical body comprised of a first ring and a second ring, the first and the second rings each extending circumferentially around the cylindrical body, the first and second rings each including an undulating series of peaks and valleys;    a first inflection point on the first ring, the first inflection point disposed on an intermediate portion of the first ring substantially centered between an adjacent peak and valley, the first inflection point including a portion extending generally circumferentially;    a second inflection point on the second ring, the second inflection point disposed on an intermediate portion of the second ring substantially centered between an adjacent peak and valley, the second inflection point including a portion extending generally circumferentially;    a link joined at a first end at the first inflection point on the first ring and at a second end at the second inflection point whereby the first and second rings are joined together.    
     
     
         63 . A medical device as in claim  1  wherein the link includes at least two curved segments.  
     
     
         64 . A medical device as in claim  1  wherein the portion of the inflection point extending generally circumferentially has a length measured circumferentially which is substantially equal to a width of the link to which it is attached.  
     
     
         65 . A medical device as in claim  1  wherein a portion of the link near its first end nests within the undulating series of peak and valleys of the first ring of the stent.  
     
     
         66 . A medical device as in claim  1  wherein the undulating peaks and valleys of each of the first and second rings are formed by opposing curved segments joined to each other by straight segments.  
     
     
         67 . A medical device as in  claim 66  wherein at least one of the straight segments is interrupted by an inflection point which produces a generally circumferentially offset portion in the straight segment.  
     
     
         68 . A medical device as in claim  1  wherein no more than one link is connected to either of the first and second inflection points.  
     
     
         69 . A medical device as in claim  1  wherein the undulating peaks and valleys of the first ring are arranged with the undulating peaks and valleys of the second ring such that the first and second rings appear as mirror images of each other.  
     
     
         70 . A medical device as in claim  1  wherein the undulating peaks and valleys the first ring are arranged with the undulating peaks and valleys of the second ring such that the first and second rings have peaks and valleys which are paired with each other in an in-phase relationship.  
     
     
         71 . A medical device as in claim  1  wherein the first and second rings each include the same number of inflection points.  
     
     
         72 . A medical device as in claim  1  wherein the first and second rings are joined by a plurality of links.  
     
     
         73 . A medical device as in claim  13  wherein the plurality of links have complimentary shapes such that they will nest.  
     
     
         74 . A medical device comprising: 
 a stent, the stent comprising a hollow, cylindrical body comprised of at least one ring, the ring extending circumferentially around the cylindrical body, the ring including an undulating series of peaks and valleys;    an inflection point on the ring, the inflection point disposed on an intermediate portion of the ring substantially centered between an adjacent peak and valley;    a first link joined at an end at the inflection point.    
     
     
         75 . A medical device as in  claim 74  wherein the inflection point includes a short portion extending generally circumferentially.  
     
     
         76 . A medical device as in  claim 75  wherein the short portion of the inflection point extending generally circumferentially has a length measured circumferentially which is substantially equal to a width of the link.  
     
     
         77 . A medical device as in  claim 74  wherein the link extends substantially parallel to a portion of the ring.  
     
     
         78 . A medical device as in  claim 74  wherein the link extends beyond a peak or valley of the ring.  
     
     
         79 . A medical device as in  claim 74  also comprising a second link joined at an end at the inflection point and extending from the inflection point in a direction substantially opposite to the first link.  
     
     
         80 . A medical device as in  claim 79  wherein the first link is joined at an upper portion of the inflection point and the second link is joined at a lower portion of the inflection point.  
     
     
         81 . A medical device as in  claim 79  wherein the first link is joined to the ring above the ring and the second link is joined to the ring below the ring.  
     
     
         82 . A medical device as in  claim 74  wherein a portion of the link nests within the undulating series of peaks and valleys of the ring.  
     
     
         83 . A medical device as in  claim 74  wherein the undulating peaks and valleys of the ring are formed by opposing curved segments joined to each other by straight segments.  
     
     
         84 . A medical device as in  claim 83  wherein the inflection point forms an offset at at least one of the straight segments to produce a generally circumferentially offset portion in the straight segment.  
     
     
         85 . A medical device as in  claim 74  wherein the ring includes a plurality of inflection points and a plurality of links joined to the inflection points.  
     
     
         86 . A medical device as in  claim 85  wherein each peak and valley has an inflection point therebetween and a first link joined at each inflection point.  
     
     
         87 . A medical device as in  claim 86  wherein each inflection point has a second link joined at each inflection point and extending longitudinally opposite the first link.  
     
     
         88 . A medical device as in  claim 86  wherein the plurality of links have complimentary shapes such that they will nest.