Radially expansible vessel scaffold having modified radiopacity

Abstract

The present invention provides improved prostheses and methods for their endolumenal placement within body lumens, particularly blood vessels. In one embodiment, the prosthesis of the present invention comprises a plurality of radially expansible rings having, a plurality of beams connecting axially remote points on adjacent rings, and a plurality of expansion joints connecting axially proximate points on adjacent rings. The beams maintain the remote points at a fixed distance when the prosthesis is radially expanded and the expansion joints allow for relative movement of the proximate points during delivery of the prosthesis. The combination of the beams and expansion joints minimizes the risk of injury to the body lumen during delivery of the prosthesis to a target site and provides improved tracking capabilities.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An expandable tubular stent comprising: 
 an expandable tubular body having a first end, a second end, a plurality of interconnected cylindrical wall sections including a first cylindrical wall section at the first end of the tubular body, a second cylindrical wall section at the second end of the tubular body, and at least one intermediate cylindrical wall section between the first and second cylindrical wall sections, and    a plurality of S-shaped connectors which extend between and are secured to a cylindrical wall section and a longitudinally adjacent cylindrical wall section and configured to provide both expansion and contraction between adjacent cylindrical wall sections.    
     
     
         2 . The expandable tubular stent of  claim 1 , wherein the S-shaped connectors comprise a double curvature shape.  
     
     
         3 . The expandable tubular stent of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting members are secured to proximate points of adjacent cylindrical wall sections.  
     
     
         4 . The expandable tubular stent of  claim 2 , wherein the connecting members are secured to proximate points of adjacent cylindrical wall sections.  
     
     
         5 . The expandable tubular stent of any of  claims 1  to  4 , wherein the S-shaped connectors, connect at least some of the longitudinally adjacent cylindrical wall sections extending along an intermediate section of the stent which is disposed between ends of the stent.  
     
     
         6 . An expandable tubular stent comprising: 
 an expandable tubular body having a first end, a second end, a plurality of interconnected cylindrical wall sections including a first cylindrical wall section at the first end of the tubular body, a second cylindrical wall section at the second end of the tubular body, and at least one intermediate cylindrical wall section between the first and second cylindrical wall sections, having an unexpanded and expanded configuration; and    a plurality of S-shaped connectors which extend between and are secured to a cylindrical wall section and a longitudinally adjacent cylindrical wall section and configured to provide a flexibility in both the expanded and unexpanded configurations.    
     
     
         7 . An expandable tubular stent comprising: 
 an expandable tubular body having a first end, a second end, a plurality of interconnected cylindrical wall segments including a first cylindrical wall segment at the first end of the tubular body, a second cylindrical wall segment at the second end of the tubular body, and at least one intermediate cylindrical wall segment between the first and second cylindrical wall segments, and at least one extendable connector which has a first end secured to a cylindrical wall segment at a first location and a second end secured to a longitudinally adjacent cylindrical wall segment at a second location circumferentially off set from the first location.    
     
     
         8 . The expandable tubular stent of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one extendable connector has an S-shape.  
     
     
         9 . The expandable tubular stent of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one extendable connector has a double curvature.  
     
     
         10 . The expandable tubular stent of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one extendable connector is configured to provide both expansion and contraction between adjacent cylindrical wall segments.  
     
     
         11 . The expandable tubular stent of  claim 7 , wherein a plurality of cylindrical wall segments have at least one extendable connector which has a first end secured to a cylindrical wall segment at a first location and a second end secured to a longitudinally adjacent cylindrical wall segment at a second location circumferentially off set from the first location.