Extendible Stent Apparatus and Method for Deploying the Same

Abstract

An imagable extendable stent apparatus for insertion into a bifurcating vessel or a vessel opening. The stent apparatus comprises a main stent and a flared stent, which may used individually or in combination with each other. The flared stent may be interlocked with the main stent to provide stent coverage over the entire region of a bifurcation. The main stent of the apparatus may be deployed at the bifurcation point of a vessel, allowing unimpeded future access to the side branch of the bifurcated vessel. The flared stent may be employed at vessel openings. Also disclosed and claimed are methods for implanting the extendable stent apparatus into the bifurcation point or the ostium of a subject vessel.

1 . A stent for treatment of a vessel bifurcation, the stent comprising:
 a) a main body portion adapted to be positioned in a main vessel and comprising a surrounding side wall defining a passageway, the passageway extending to a first opening at a first end of the main body and a second opening at a second end of the main body;   b) at least one side branch opening provided in the surrounding side wall of the main body portion and in fluid flow communication with the passageway extending to the first opening and the second opening; and   c) a side branch ring provided on the surrounding side wall of the main body portion to surround and define the at least one side branch opening, wherein the side branch ring is sized to be positioned over an opening of a side branch vessel such that the side branch ring is adapted to seat against a side wall of the main vessel surrounding the intersection with the side branch vessel when the main body is positioned in the main artery.   
     
     
         2 . The stent of  claim 1  wherein the main body is further adapted to receive a secondary body within the at least one side branch opening. 
     
     
         3 . The stent of  claim 2  wherein at least a portion of the secondary body is engaged to the side branch ring. 
     
     
         4 . The stent of  claim 3  wherein the at least a portion of the secondary body comprises a flared portion. 
     
     
         5 . The stent of  claim 1  wherein the at least one side branch opening is generally circular. 
     
     
         6 . The stent of  claim 1  wherein the at least one side branch opening is at least partially defined by a plurality of radiopaque markers.