Improved tissue supporting devices

Abstract

A new multiple component stent arrangement which allows for initial self-expansion and subsequent deformation to a final enlarged size.

1 - 34 . (canceled)  
     
     
         35 . A stent comprising: 
 a plurality of annular elements extending axially without engaging overlap, each annular element having a compressed state and an expanded state, wherein each annular element has a longitudinal dimension which is smaller in the radially expanded state than in the compressed state; and    at least one connecting member connecting adjacent of said annular elements, the connecting member having a longitudinal dimension and being configured to elongate the longitudinal dimension of the connecting member when the annular elements are transformed from the compressed state to the expanded state.    
     
     
         36 . A tissue support device comprising: 
 a plurality of annular elements, each annular element having a compressed state and a radially expanded state, wherein each annular element has a longitudinal dimension which is smaller in the radially expanded state than in the compressed state; and    connecting members connecting adjacent of said annular elements, the connecting members having a longitudinal dimension and being configured so that the longitudinal dimension of the connecting members elongates longitudinally when the annular elements are transformed from the compressed state to the expanded state to compensate for the smaller longitudinal dimension of the annular elements in the expanded state.    
     
     
         37 . A stent as in  claim 36  wherein the connectors are U-shaped.  
     
     
         38 . A stent as in  claim 36  wherein the stent is formed of shape memory metal alloy material.  
     
     
         39 - 42 . (canceled)