Stent having flexibly connected adjacent stent elements

Abstract

An open stent (a stent having open space through its thickness at locations between the ends of the stent), incorporating flexible, preferably polymeric, connecting elements into the stent wherein these elements connect adjacent, spaced-apart stent elements. Preferably the spaced-apart adjacent stent elements are the result of forming the stent from a helically wound serpentine wire having space provided between adjacent windings. Other stent forms such as multiple, individual spaced-apart ring-shaped or interconnected stent elements may also be used. The connecting elements are preferably longitudinally oriented.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A diametrically expandable endoprosthesis comprising a substantially open tubular stent and at least one flexible non-metallic strip, said strip oriented substantially longitudinally and connected to the stent to limit foreshortening and elongation of the stent. 
     
     
         2 . The diametrically expandable endoprosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular stent is comprised of spaced-apart stent elements connected by the at least one flexible non-metallic strip. 
     
     
         3 . The diametrically expandable endoprosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular stent is at least 80% open. 
     
     
         4 . A diametrically expandable stent comprising at least two circumferentially oriented spaced-apart stent elements and at least one substantially longitudinally oriented flexible connecting strip connecting adjacent spaced apart stent elements, said stent having a length between ends of the stent and a deployed circumference, wherein said stent has a tubular area comprising the stent length multiplied by the deployed circumference and wherein at least 50% of the tubular area is open. 
     
     
         5 . The diametrically expandable stent according to  claim 4  wherein at least 60% of the tubular area is open. 
     
     
         6 . The diametrically expandable stent according to  claim 4 , wherein at least 80% of the tubular area is open. 
     
     
         7 . The diametrically expandable stent according to  claim 4 , wherein at least 90% of the tubular area is open. 
     
     
         8 . The diametrically expandable stent according to  claim 4 , wherein at least 93% of the tubular area is open. 
     
     
         9 . The diametrically expandable stent according to  claim 4 , wherein at least 80% of the tubular area is open and three connecting strips are used. 
     
     
         10 . The expandable prosthesis comprising at least two longitudinally spaced-apart stent elements, said stent elements comprising a serpentine form having apices separated by relatively straight segments, wherein alternating apices point in opposing directions, and wherein the at least two longitudinally spaced-apart apices are connected by at least one substantially longitudinally oriented flexible filament. 
     
     
         11 . The expandable prosthesis according to  claim 10 , wherein said filament includes at least one transversely oriented loop around at least one apex. 
     
     
         12 . The expandable prosthesis according to  claim 10 , wherein the spaced-apart stent elements comprise a substantially open tubular stent. 
     
     
         13 . A diametrically expandable support structure comprising at least two circumferentially oriented spaced-apart support elements and at least one substantially longitudinally oriented flexible connecting strip connecting adjacent spaced-apart support elements. 
     
     
         14 . The diametrically expandable support structure of  claim 13 , wherein the support structure has a length between ends of the structure and a deployed circumference, wherein the support structure has a tubular area comprising the structure length multiplied by the deployed circumference and wherein at least 50% of the support structure is open. 
     
     
         15 . The diametrically expandable stent according to  claim 13  wherein at least 60% of the tubular area is open. 
     
     
         16 . The diametrically expandable stent according to  claim 13 , wherein at least 80% of the tubular area is open. 
     
     
         17 . The diametrically expandable stent according to  claim 13 , wherein at least 90% of the tubular area is open. 
     
     
         18 . The diametrically expandable stent according to  claim 13 , wherein at least 93% of the tubular area is open. 
     
     
         19 . The diametrically expandable stent according to  claim 13 , wherein at least 80% of the tubular area is open and three connecting strips are used. 
     
     
         20 . An expandable support structure comprising at least two longitudinally spaced-apart support elements, the support elements comprising a serpentine form having apices separated by relatively straight segments, wherein alternating apices point in opposing directions, and wherein the at least two longitudinally spaced-apart apices are connected by at least one substantially longitudinally oriented flexible filament. 
     
     
         21 . The expandable prosthesis according to  claim 20 , wherein the filament includes at least one transversely oriented loop around at least one apex.