Medical stent with a valve and related methods of manufacturing

Abstract

Medical stents having valves and their methods of manufacture are disclosed. The valve may be basket-shaped and formed integral to a medical stent to prevent undesirable backflow across the valve. The valve can be formed by converting the braided wires of the stent, by providing elastomeric material onto a mold or fixture to form an elastomeric valve, or by attaching a gasket valve. The valve is normally closed but configured to allow easy opening in response to a predetermined condition.

1 - 53 . (canceled) 
     
     
         54 . A method of manufacturing a medical stent having a valve, comprising:
 providing a generally tubular body; and   attaching an elastomeric valve to a portion of the tubular body;   wherein the elastomeric valve is configured to be normally closed and to be open in response to a predetermined condition.   
     
     
         55 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 54 , wherein the elastomeric valve is attached to a distal end portion of the tubular body. 
     
     
         56 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 54 , wherein the elastomeric valve is attached to the portion of the tubular body by adhesives. 
     
     
         57 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 54 , wherein the elastomeric valve is sewed to the portion of the tubular body. 
     
     
         58 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 54 , wherein the predetermined condition is a predetermined pressure difference between an upstream flow and a downstream flow of the valve. 
     
     
         59 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 54 , wherein the elastomeric valve is configured to function as a one-way valve. 
     
     
         60 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 54 , wherein the elastomeric valve and the tubular body are formed from the same material. 
     
     
         61 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 54 , wherein the elastomeric valve is formed from a material selected from the group consisting polyurethane, silicone and polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         62 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 54 , wherein the elastomeric valve comprises pleats or cuts forming an opening therein. 
     
     
         63 . A method of manufacturing a medical stent having a valve, comprising:
 providing a generally tubular body comprising a plurality of flexible wires and a covering material; and   attaching an elastomeric valve within a portion of the tubular body;   wherein the elastomeric valve is configured to be normally closed and to be open in response to a predetermined condition.   
     
     
         64 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 63 , wherein the elastomeric valve is attached within a distal end portion of the tubular body. 
     
     
         65 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 63 , wherein the elastomeric valve is attached to the wires and covering of the tubular body by adhesives. 
     
     
         66 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 63 , wherein the elastomeric valve is sewed to the wires of the tubular body. 
     
     
         67 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 63 , wherein the predetermined condition is a predetermined pressure difference between an upstream flow and a downstream flow of the valve. 
     
     
         68 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 63 , wherein the elastomeric gasket valve is configured to function as a one-way valve. 
     
     
         69 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 63 , wherein the elastomeric gasket valve and the tubular body are formed from the same material. 
     
     
         70 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 63 , wherein the elastomeric valve is formed from a material selected from the group consisting polyurethane, silicone and polytetrafluoroethylene. 
     
     
         71 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 63 , wherein the elastomeric valve comprises pleats or cuts forming an opening therein. 
     
     
         72 . A method of manufacturing a medical stent having a valve, comprising:
 providing a generally tubular body; and   injection molding an elastomeric valve within a portion of the tubular body;   wherein the elastomeric valve is configured to be normally closed and to be open in response to a predetermined condition.   
     
     
         73 . The method of manufacturing the medical stent according to  claim 72 , wherein the elastomeric valve is injection molded within a distal end portion of the tubular body.