Braided stent system with one or more expansion rings

Abstract

An endovascular self-expanding stent system that can include a braid with a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen formed therebetween. The braid can be formed from one or more wires woven to comprise interstices. A first expansion ring can be connected to the proximal end of the braid. A second expansion ring can be connected to the distal end of the braid. Each expansion ring can include a frame that imparts an outwardly expanding radial force to the braid. The frame can include a plurality of elongate members interconnected by one or more intersections.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of making a stent, the method comprising:
 positioning a first expansion ring at a proximal end of a braid such that the first expansion ring comprises a plurality of elongate members, there is one end point between elongate members of the first expansion ring per looped end of the proximal end of the braid, the first expansion ring being configured to impart an outwardly expanding radial force to the proximal end of the braid; and   positioning a second expansion ring at a distal end of the braid such that the second expansion ring comprises a plurality of elongate members, there is one end point between elongate members of the second expansion ring per looped end of the distal end of the braid, the second expansion ring being configured to impart an outwardly expanding radial force to the distal end of the braid.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of positioning the first expansion ring at the proximal end of the braid comprises sequentially translating one or more elongate members of the first expansion ring into and out of adjacent looped ends of the proximal end of the braid. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of positioning the first expansion ring at the proximal end of the braid comprises positioning one or more intersections of the first expansion ring until each intersection is connected or in communication with a respective looped end of the proximal end of the braid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 wrapping around or hooking the first expansion ring with a respective looped end of the braid.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 connecting one or more radiopaque bands with one or more corresponding elongate members adjacent a respective intersection of the first expansion ring connected with a respective looped end of the braid and proximal of the proximal end.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 wherein at least one of the first and second expansion ring further comprises:   one or more radiopaque bands connected with one or more corresponding elongate members and corresponding looped end of the braid.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 connecting each elongate member to a corresponding looped end of the braid by wrapping or encircling the radiopaque band thereabout.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 orienting parallel an elongate member to a respective wire of the braid extending from a corresponding looped end and connected to the one or more radiopaque bands.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 sequentially interweaving end points of each of the first and second expansion rings such that each end point is wrapped around or hooked with a respective looped end of the braid.   
     
     
         10 . A method of making a stent, the method comprising:
 weaving one or more wires to form a braid comprising looped ends on a proximal end and a distal end, and interstices along a lumen formed therebetween; and   positioning one or more intersections of a first expansion ring until each intersection is connected to or in communication with the respective looped end of the proximal end of the braid, with a remainder of the first expansion ring disposed external to the braid.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of positioning one or more intersections of a first expansion ring until each intersection is connected to or in communication with the respective looped end of the proximal end of the braid comprises wrapping around or hooking each intersection of the first expansion ring with a respective looped end of the proximal end of the braid. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 configuring the stent to impart an outwardly expanding radial force to the braid by attaching the first expansion ring at the proximal end of the braid.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 positioning one or more intersections of a second expansion ring until each intersection is connected to or in communication with a respective looped end of the distal end of the braid, with a remainder of the second expansion ring disposed external to the braid.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of positioning one or more intersections of a first expansion ring until each intersection is connected to or in communication with the respective looped end of the proximal end of the braid comprises wrapping around or hooking each intersection of the second expansion ring with a respective looped end of the distal end of the braid. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 connecting one or more radiopaque bands with one or more corresponding elongate members adjacent a respective intersection of the first expansion ring connected with a respective looped end of the braid and proximal of the proximal end.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 connecting each elongate member to a corresponding looped end of the braid by wrapping or encircling the radiopaque band thereabout.   
     
     
         17 . A method of using a stent, the method comprising:
 engaging a delivery wire to at least one of a first expansion ring connected to a proximal end of a braid or a second expansion ring connected to a distal end of the braid;   positioning the braid in a compressed configuration inside a microcatheter;   delivering the braid to an aneurysm by distally advancing the delivery wire; and   deploying the braid such that the at least a portion of the braid exits the microcatheter and at least one of the first or second expansion ring imparts an outwardly expanding radial force on the respective end of the braid.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of engaging a delivery wire to at least one of a first expansion ring connected to a proximal end of a braid or a second expansion ring connected to a distal end of the braid comprises increasing an outwardly expanding radial force of the braid by attaching the first expansion ring at the proximal end of the braid and attaching the second expansion ring at the distal end of the braid; 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the step of attaching the first expansion ring at the proximal end of the braid or a second expansion ring connected to a distal end of the braid comprises as least one of:
 sequentially translating one or more elongate members of the first or second expansion ring into and out of adjacent looped ends of the proximate or distal end of the braid; and   wrapping around or hooking each intersection of the first or second expansion ring with a respective looped end of the proximate or distal end of the braid.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of fully deploying the braid from the microcatheter by distally advancing the delivery wire such that the braid exits the microcatheter and expands from a compressed configuration to an expanded configuration.