Channeled vascular stent apparatus and method

Abstract

A vascular stent having one or more channels in the outer surface. The channel(s) provide increased flexibility, enhanced perfusion, increased chronic positional stability, and convenient dispensing of a medication. Preferably the stent is machined into a mesh-like pattern and the channel(s) are machined into the stent elements of the pattern. The channels may be oriented in a variety of ways. Parallel orientation tends to provide greater enhancement of perfusion whereas perpendicular orientation provides differential flexibility. For greater control of differential flexibility, the channel may be further machined in the stent element, producing a regain of greater flexibility.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In a vascular stent having a generally cylindrical shape with an outer surface and an inner surface, the improvement comprising: 
 at least one channel in said outer surface.    
     
     
         2 . The improvement according  claim 1  wherein said channel is oriented generally parallel to said cylindrical shape.  
     
     
         3 . The improvement according to  claim 1  wherein said channel is oriented generally perpendicular to said cylindrical shape.  
     
     
         4 . The improvement according to  claim 1  wherein said stent is machined to produce a pattern having at least one stent element.  
     
     
         5 . The improvement according to  claim 4  wherein said channel is machined in one of said at least one stent element.  
     
     
         6 . The improvement according to  claim 5  wherein said channel contains a medication.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a. A vascular stent having a generally cylindrical shape and having an outer surface; and    b. A channel located on said outer surface.    
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 7  wherein said vascular stent further comprises a stent element.  
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 8  wherein said channel is located on said stent element.  
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said channel is generally parallel to said cylindrical shape.  
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein said channel is generally perpendicular to said cylindrical shape.  
     
     
         12 . A method of preparing a vascular stent comprising: 
 a. Securing a bio-compatible tube having a generally cylindrical shape with an outer surface; and    b. Providing a channel in said outer surface.    
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12  further comprising creating a pattern in said bio-compatible tube producing a stent element.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13  wherein said providing step further comprises machining said channel into said stent element.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14  further comprising the step of embedding a medication into said channel.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a. Means for stenting a vessel having an outer surface; and    b. Means located on said outer surface for enhancing perfusion.    
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  further comprising means responsively coupled to said outer surface for imparting differential flexiblity.  
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 16  wherein said enhancing means further comprises a channel within said outer surface.  
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 18  wherein said outer surface has a pattern producing a stent element.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein said channel is located on said stent element in a generally parallel direction.  
     
     
         21 . An apparatus according to  claim 19  wherein said channel is located on said stent element in a generally perpendicular direction.