Segmented scaffold designs

Abstract

Segmented scaffolds composed of disconnected scaffold segments with overlapping end rings are disclosed. Scaffolds with at least one discontinuous link are also disclosed.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A method, comprising:
 using a tube made from a biodegradable polymer composition;   making a scaffold from the tube comprising laser cutting a scaffold pattern from the tube, wherein the scaffold pattern comprises scaffold segments and linking elements connecting adjacent scaffold segments;   crimping or pre-crimping the scaffold; and   creating a discontinuity in at least one of the linking elements of the crimped or pre-crimped scaffold.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the discontinuity is created by a laser cutting through the at least one of the linking elements. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the scaffold is pre-crimped to a balloon or a mandrel. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the creating the discontinuity in the at least one of the linking elements is laser cutting the at least one of the linking elements. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the crimped or pre-crimped scaffold is on a mandrel during the laser cutting the at least one of the linking elements. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the crimped or pre-crimped scaffold is on a balloon during the laser cutting the at least one of the linking elements. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the biodegradable polymer composition comprises polycaprolactone (PCL). 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein
 a scaffold segment comprises a plurality of diamond shape cells, a first end forming peaks and troughs, and a second end forming peaks and troughs, and   wherein
 a peak at the first end is longitudinally aligned with a trough at the second end, and a length of the segment is equal to a width of two diamond shape cells, or 
 a peak at the first end is longitudinally aligned with a peak at the second end, and a length of the segment is equal to a width of one diamond shape cell. 
   
     
     
         35 . A method, comprising:
 using a tube made from a biodegradable polymer composition;   making a scaffold from the tube comprising laser cutting a scaffold pattern from the tube, wherein the scaffold pattern comprises adjacent ring elements interconnected by linking elements; and   after cutting the tube to make the scaffold pattern, cutting a plurality of the linking elements.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein at least two linking elements adjoin a first ring of the ring elements with a second ring of the ring elements. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the cutting creates discontinuities in a portion of the links, such that a helical pattern of discontinuous links are formed in the scaffold pattern. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein one of the at least two linking elements is cut and the other one of the at least two linking elements is not cut. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the polymer composition comprises polycaprolactone (PCL). 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising:
 after making the scaffold pattern, placing the scaffold on a mandrel, and   cutting the plurality of the linking elements while the scaffold is on the mandrel.   
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the scaffold is in a pre-crimped configuration when on the mandrel. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising,
 crimping the scaffold to a balloon having a balloon diameter,   wherein the scaffold in the pre-crimp configuration has a pre-crimped diameter that is between an initial diameter and the balloon diameter, and   wherein the scaffold is crimped form the pre-crimped diameter to a diameter less than the balloon diameter.   
     
     
         43 . A method, comprising:
 using a scaffold having a pattern made from a biodegradable polymer, the scaffold pattern comprising adjacent ring elements interconnected by linking elements;   placing the scaffold on a balloon or a mandrel; and   laser cutting a plurality of the linking elements.   
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the scaffold is in a pre-crimped configuration prior to the laser cutting. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the laser cutting of the plurality of linking elements includes one or both of:
 removing all of a linking element connecting adjacent ring elements; or   making a linking element a discontinuous linking element, wherein a space between free ends of the discontinuous linking element is between 2 to 5, 5 to 10 or 10 to 50 microns.   
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 43 , wherein the scaffold comprises
 a first ring adjoined with a second ring by a first plurality of linking elements,   the second ring adjoined with a third ring by a second plurality of linking elements, and   the third ring adjoined with a fourth ring by a third plurality of linking elements;   the fourth ring adjoined with a fifth ring by a fourth plurality of linking elements;   wherein
 at least one of the first plurality of linking elements is cut, 
 none of the second plurality of linking elements is cut, 
 none of the third plurality of linking elements is cut, and 
 at least one of the fourth plurality of linking elements is cut.