Stent with dual support structure

Abstract

A intraluminal stent comprises a reticulated tube having an un-deployed diameter and expandable to an enlarged diameter. The tube includes a structural beam extending between first and second ends. The structural beam changes from a first geometry to a second geometry when the tube changes from the un-deployed diameter to the enlarged diameter. The structural beam includes first and second longitudinal elements each extending at least partially between the first and second ends and with a spacing between the first and second elements. Each of said first and second elements changes from the first geometry to the second geometry when the tube changes from the un-deployed diameter to the enlarged diameter for the spacing to remain substantially unchanged as the tube changes from the un-deployed diameter to the enlarged diameter.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An intraluminal stent comprising: 
 a reticulated tube having an un-deployed diameter and expandable to an enlarged diameter, said tube having a stent axis;    said tube including a structural beam extending between first and second ends;    said structural beam changing from a first geometry to a second geometry when said tube changes from said un-deployed diameter to said enlarged diameter;    said structural beam including first and second longitudinal elements each extending at least partially between said first and second ends and with a spacing between the first and second elements;    each of said first and second elements changing from said first geometry to said second geometry when said tube changes from said un-deployed diameter to said enlarged diameter for said spacing to remain substantially unchanged as said tube changes from said un-deployed diameter to said enlarged diameter.    
     
     
         2 . An intraluminal stent according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second elements are mutually parallel both before and after changing of said tube from said un-deployed diameter to said enlarged diameter.  
     
     
         3 . An intraluminal stent according to  claim 1  wherein said first and second elements each extend substantially an entire length of said structural beam between said first and second ends.  
     
     
         4 . An intraluminal stent according to  claim 1  wherein a plurality of disconnected slots are formed through said structural beam to define a plurality of parallel first and second elements between said first and second ends.  
     
     
         5 . An intraluminal stent according to  claim 1  wherein said beam and said first and second elements are curved.  
     
     
         6 . An intraluminal stent according to  claim 1  wherein said beam and said first and second elements are straight.  
     
     
         7 . An intraluminal stent according to  claim 1  wherein: 
 said beam is one of a plurality of beams with opposing surfaces defining an open cell bounded by said beams, said cell having a major axis and a minor axis;  
 said plurality of beams including first and second longitudinal beams each having: 
 a. a longitudinal axis extending parallel to and positioned on opposite sides of said cell major axis; and  
 b. an undulating pattern to define a plurality of peaks and valleys spaced outwardly and inwardly, respectively, from said longitudinal axes;  
 
 said first and second longitudinal beams interconnected at opposite ends thereof.  
 
     
     
         8 . A stent according to  claim 7  further comprising: 
 first and second longitudinal connection locations at interconnection points of said interconnected first and second longitudinal beams for connection of said cell to first and second longitudinally adjacent cells, respectively; and  
 first and second transverse connection locations on said first and second longitudinal beams, respectively, for connection of said cell to first and second transversely adjacent cells, respectively.  
 
     
     
         9 . A stent according to  claim 7  wherein path lengths of said longitudinal beams from said first and second transverse connection locations to said first and second longitudinal connection locations following expansion of said stent is substantially equal to or less than said lengths prior to said expansion.  
     
     
         10 . A stent according to  claim 7  wherein: 
 said cell is substantially identical to adjacent cells;  
 said major axis of said cell is linearly aligned with major axes of said first and second longitudinally adjacent cells;  
 said minor axis of said cell is linearly aligned with minor axes of said first and second transversely adjacent cells;  
 opposing surfaces of cell defining portions of said cell, said longitudinally adjacent cells and said transversely adjacent cells cooperate to define at least in part obliquely adjacent cells.