Endoprosthesis for controlled contraction and expansion

Abstract

Endoprosthesis including a plurality of annular elements, each annular element connected to an adjacent annular element at least one connection location, is provided. Each annular element includes an interconnected series of strut members, at least one strut member connected to a first circumferentially adjacent strut member at a first longitudinal apex and to a second circumferentially adjacent strut member at a second longitudinal apex. The at least one strut member includes a first end portion at a first end of the strut member, the first end extending to the first apex, an intermediate portion hingedly connected to the first end portion, and a second end portion hingedly connected to the intermediate portion and extending to the second apex. The endoprosthesis has a delivery diameter when in a delivery condition and a deployed diameter when in a deployed condition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An endoprosthesis, comprising:
 a plurality of annular elements, each annular element connected to an adjacent annular element at least one connection location;   each annular element including an interconnected series of strut members, at least one strut member connected to a first circumferentially adjacent strut member at a first longitudinal apex and to a second circumferentially adjacent strut member at a second longitudinal apex, the first apex and the second apex being on longitudinally opposite sides of the annular element;   the at least one strut member including:
 a first end portion at a first end of the strut member, the first end extending to the first apex, 
 an intermediate portion hingedly connected to the first end portion, and 
 a second end portion hingedly connected to the intermediate portion and extending to the second apex; and 
   wherein the endoprosthesis has a delivery diameter when in a delivery condition and a deployed diameter when in a deployed condition.   
     
     
         2 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the first apex includes a first circumferential member extending between the first end of the at least one strut member and the first circumferentially adjacent strut member. 
     
     
         3 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 2 , wherein the second apex includes a second circumferential member extending between the second end of the at least one strut member and the second circumferentially adjacent strut member. 
     
     
         4 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second end portions of at least one strut member extend in a first circumferential direction, and the intermediate portion thereof extends in an opposite circumferential direction to define a lightning bolt shape. 
     
     
         5 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion, the intermediate portion, and the second end portion of the strut member are hingedly connected to each other at elbows. 
     
     
         6 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first end portion, the intermediate portion, and the second end portion of the strut member is a substantially straight member. 
     
     
         7 . An endoprosthesis, comprising:
 a plurality of strut members interconnected to form a repeating pattern of interconnected cells, each cell including at least two arrowhead portions extending longitudinally and directed in opposite directions, each arrowhead portion connected with an arrowhead portion of an adjacent cell,   wherein each arrowhead portion includes two strut members, each strut member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion hingedly connected to each of the first end portion and the second end portion,   wherein the cells are connected in a generally tubular shape having a delivery condition for facilitating delivery of the endoprosthesis to a deployment site and a deployed condition for deployment in a vessel at the deployment site.   
     
     
         8 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one arrowhead portion includes a circumferential member extending between the first end portion of the two strut members. 
     
     
         9 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 7 , wherein the first end portion, the intermediate portion, and the second end portion of at least one of the two strut members define a lightning bolt shape.