Tracheal stent

Abstract

Tracheal stents may include a plurality of wave form structures each extending radially about the support structure, a plurality of axial loop members extending axially between adjacent wave form structures and a polymeric covering disposed thereover. Tracheal stents may include an expandable metal structure and a plurality of spacer fins extending above an outer surface of the expandable metal structure. The plurality of spacer fins may be formed of a material different than that of the expandable metal structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical stent extending from a first end to a second end, the medical stent comprising:
 an expandable metal structure extending from the first end to the second end, the expandable metal structure convertible between a compressed configuration for delivery and an expanded configuration once deployed, the expandable metal structure including an inner surface defining a stent lumen and an outer surface; and   a plurality of spacer fins extending above the outer surface of the expandable metal structure;   wherein the plurality of spacer fins are formed of a material different than that of the expandable metal structure.   
     
     
         2 . The medical stent of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spacer fins are formed of a biodegradable or bioabsorbable material. 
     
     
         3 . The medical stent of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of spacer fins include a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         4 . The medical stent of  claim 1 , further comprising a polymer coating disposed over the expandable metal structure. 
     
     
         5 . The medical stent of  claim 4 , wherein a base of each of the plurality of spacer fins is encapsulated within the polymer coating and an apex of each spacer fin is exposed radially above the polymer coating. 
     
     
         6 . The medical stent of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of spacer fins are separately formed with each having an end, and the ends of the plurality of spacer fins are encapsulated in the polymer coating. 
     
     
         7 . The medical stent of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spacer fins comprise a cap secured to high spots formed within the expandable metal structure. 
     
     
         8 . The medical stent of  claim 7 , wherein the cap is biodegradable or bioresorbable. 
     
     
         9 . The medical stent of  claim 7 , wherein the expandable metal structure is formed from a plurality of struts, wherein each high spot is an apex of a stent strut. 
     
     
         10 . The medical stent of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spacer fins are aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the expandable metal structure. 
     
     
         11 . The medical stent of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of spacer fins are formed from a filament that is interlaced within the expandable metal structure. 
     
     
         12 . The medical stent of  claim 11 , wherein the expandable metal structure is cut from a metal tube and the plurality of spacer fins are formed from the filament extending in and out of apertures in the expandable metal structure, wherein the filament forms high spots protruding radially outward from the metal tube. 
     
     
         13 . The medical stent of  claim 11 , wherein the filament is biodegradable or bioresorbable. 
     
     
         14 . A medical stent extending from a first end to a second end, the medical stent comprising:
 an expandable metal structure extending from the first end to the second end, the expandable metal structure convertible between a compressed configuration for delivery and an expanded configuration once deployed, the expandable metal structure including an inner surface defining a stent lumen and an outer surface, wherein the expandable metal structure is formed from a plurality of struts; and   a plurality of high spots extending above the outer surface of the expandable metal structure, each high spot formed at an apex of a strut;   a plurality of caps secured to the plurality of high spots, the plurality of caps forming spacer fins, wherein the caps are formed of a material different than that of the expandable metal structure.   
     
     
         15 . The medical stent of  claim 14 , wherein the caps are biodegradable or bioresorbable. 
     
     
         16 . The medical stent of  claim 14 , further comprising a polymer coating disposed over the expandable metal structure. 
     
     
         17 . The medical stent of  claim 16 , wherein a base of each of the plurality of spacer fins is encapsulated within the polymer coating and an apex of each spacer fin is exposed radially above the polymer coating. 
     
     
         18 . The medical stent of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of spacer fins are aligned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the expandable metal structure. 
     
     
         19 . The medical stent of  claim 11 , wherein the expandable metal structure is cut from a metal tube and the plurality of spacer fins are formed from a filament extending in and out of apertures in the expandable metal structure, wherein the filament forms the high spots protruding radially outward from the metal tube. 
     
     
         20 . A medical stent extending from a first end to a second end, the medical stent comprising:
 an expandable metal structure extending from the first end to the second end, the expandable metal structure convertible between a compressed configuration for delivery and an expanded configuration once deployed, the expandable metal structure including an inner surface defining a stent lumen and an outer surface;   a plurality of spacer fins extending above the outer surface of the expandable metal structure; and   a polymer coating disposed over the expandable metal structure;   wherein the plurality of spacer fins are formed of a material different than that of the expandable metal structure;   wherein a base of each of the plurality of spacer fins is encapsulated within the polymer coating and an apex of each spacer fin is exposed radially above the polymer coating.