Slide and lock stent and method of manufacture from a single piece shape

Abstract

The present invention provides a lumen support prosthesis composed of interlocking radial modules which is fabricated fully assembled from a signal piece shape, without welding or bonding. The prosthesis comprises at least one locking mechanism, allowing for one-way sliding of the radial modules and expansion of the prosthesis from a collapsed state, but inhibits radial recoil from the expanded diameter. The prosthesis may be fabricated from biologically degradable materials which have certain medical advantages.

1 . An expandable stent for support of a body lumen, wherein said stent comprises at least two slidably-engaged radial modules which define a portion of the circumference of a tubular member, wherein said radial modules are interlocked and cannot be separated from one another, and wherein said radial modules have no weld or bond connections.  
   
   
       2 . The expandable stent of  claim 1 , wherein the stent is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, ceramic, polymer, degradable material, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The expandable stent of  claim 2 , wherein said degradable material is selected from the group consisting of polyarylates (L-tyrosine-derived), free acid polyarylates, polycarbonates (L-tyrosine-derived), poly(ester-amides), lysine-containing poly(ester-amides), polyhydroxyalkanoates, poly(propylene fumarate-co-ethylene glycol) copolymer, polyanhydride esters, polyanhydrides, polyorthoesters, silk-elastin polymers, amino acid-containing polymers and corrodible calcium phosphate and magnesium alloys.  
   
   
       4 . The expandable stent of  claim 1 , further comprising a biologically responsive or physiologically active substance.  
   
   
       5 . The expandable stent of  claim 1 , wherein the stent is at least partially composed of a material that is at least partially radiopaque.  
   
   
       6 . A prosthesis for support of a body lumen, comprising: 
 a tubular member comprising a clear through-lumen, and having proximal and distal ends and a longitudinal length defined there between, a circumference, and a diameter which is adjustable between at least a first collapsed diameter and at least a second expanded diameter, said tubular member comprising:    a series of slidably-engaged radial elements, wherein each radial element defines a portion of the circumference of the tubular member; and    at least one articulating mechanism which permits one-way sliding of the radial elements from the first collapsed diameter to the second expanded diameter;    produced by the method of:    fabricating from a material a contiguous one-piece blank comprising a first plane and a second plane and an intersection therebetween;    machining, e.g., by cutting or etching, in the first plane a pattern comprising a loop having a slide and lock structure therein, said pattern abutting the intersection at a location;    machining, e.g., by cutting or etching, a slot through the second plane at the location, said slot being configured to engage the slide and lock structure, wherein the first and second planes are joined by residual material along the intersection; and    removing the residual material to separate the first and second planes, wherein the planes remain slideably coupled to one another.    
   
   
       7 . The prosthesis of  claim 6 , wherein said contiguous one-piece blank comprises three or four intersecting planes, wherein each plane intersects two other planes.  
   
   
       8 . The prosthesis of  claim 6 , wherein the material is selected from the group consisting of metal, ceramic, polymer, degradable material, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       9 . The prosthesis of  claim 8 , wherein said degradable material is selected from the group consisting of polyarylates (L-tyrosine-derived), free acid polyarylates, polycarbonates (L-tyrosine-derived), poly(ester-amides), lysine-containing poly(ester-amides), polyhydroxyalkanoates, poly(propylene fumarate-co-ethylene glycol) copolymer, polyanhydride esters, polyanhydrides, polyorthoesters, silk-elastin polymers, amino acid-containing polymers and corrodible calcium phosphate and magnesium alloys.  
   
   
       10 . The prosthesis of  claim 6 , wherein the material further comprises a biologically responsive or physiologically active substance.  
   
   
       11 . The prosthesis of  claim 6 , wherein the material is at least partially radiopaque.