Locking stent

Abstract

A locking stent has a lattice of interconnecting elements defining a substantially cylindrical configuration having a first open end and a second open end. The lattice has a closed configuration and an open configuration. The lattice also has a plurality of adjacent hoops wherein each hoop is separated from another hoop in the closed configuration. Each hoop mateably connects with or interlocks with an adjacent hoop in the open configuration.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A stent comprising: 
 a lattice of interconnecting elements defining a substantially cylindrical configuration having a first open end and a second open end, the lattice having a closed configuration and an open configuration;    the lattice comprising a plurality of adjacent hoops, each hoop separated from another hoop in the closed configuration and each hoop interlocking with another hoop in the open configuration.    
     
     
         2 . The stent according to  claim 1 , wherein each hoop comprises a plurality of loops.  
     
     
         3 . The stent according to  claim 2 , wherein each hoop further comprises a plurality of struts connected to the loops.  
     
     
         4 . The stent according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one loop of one hoop comprises a male end and at least one loop of another hoop comprises a female end, wherein the male end is separated from the female end when the lattice is in the closed configuration and wherein the male end is mateably connected to the female end when the lattice is in the open configuration.  
     
     
         5 . The stent according to  claim 4 , wherein the male end of at least one loop of one hoop and the female end of at least one loop of another hoop form a locked joint when the lattice is in the open configuration.  
     
     
         6 . The stent according to  claim 5 , wherein the lattice further comprises at least one flexible link connected between adjacent hoops.  
     
     
         7 . The stent according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one flexible link is connected between the loops of adjacent hoops.  
     
     
         8 . The stent according to  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of struts and the loops define at least one pre-configured cell.  
     
     
         9 . The stent according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of struts and the loops define at least one pre-configured cell.  
     
     
         10 . The stent according to  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of struts and the loops define at least one partial cell.  
     
     
         11 . The stent according to  claim 10 , wherein the partial cell is defined when the lattice is in the closed configuration.  
     
     
         12 . The stent according to  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of struts and the loops define at least one formed cell.  
     
     
         13 . The stent according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one formed cell is defined when the lattice is in the open configuration.  
     
     
         14 . The stent according to  claim 4 , wherein the male end has a substantially convex configuration.  
     
     
         15 . The stent according to  claim 14 , wherein the female end has a substantially concave configuration.  
     
     
         16 . The stent according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one pre-configured cell has a substantially diamond shape.  
     
     
         17 . The stent according to  claim 4 , wherein the lattice further comprises a drug coating.  
     
     
         18 . The stent according to  claim 4 , wherein the lattice further comprises a drug and polymer coating combination.  
     
     
         19 . The stent according to  claim 17 , wherein the drug is rapamycin.  
     
     
         20 . The stent according to  claim 18 , wherein the drug is rapamycin.  
     
     
         21 . The stent according to  claim 17 , wherein the drug is paclitaxel.  
     
     
         22 . The stent according to  claim 18 , wherein the drug is paclitaxel.  
     
     
         23 . The stent according to  claim 4 , wherein the stent is made of an alloy.  
     
     
         24 . The stent according to  claim 23 , wherein the stent is made of stainless steel.  
     
     
         25 . The stent according to  claim 4 , wherein the stent is crush recoverable.  
     
     
         26 . The stent according to  claim 25  wherein the stent is made of nickel titanium (NiTi).  
     
     
         27 . The stent according to  claim 23 , wherein the stent is made of a super elastic alloy.  
     
     
         28 . The stent according to  claim 27 , wherein the stent is made of nickel titanium (NiTi).