Intraluminal Stent

Abstract

An intraluminal stent made of a zig-zag or sinusoidal member defining a successive series of struts connected by apex sections and formed into a series of axially displaced hoop members wherein at least one of the hoop members has at least 5 one strut connected to a strut of an adjacent hoop. The connected struts may be connected by spot welding, continuous welding, or suturing, for example, or by a bridging member connected to each strut, and may be spaced along the length of the stent in a pattern to form a connective spine. The number of zigs of the zig-zag member in each hoop member may be varied, as can the zig length. A plurality of 10 connective spines may also be included.

1 . A stent having a circumference and a longitudinal axis, the stent comprising a first end, a first end section, a middle section, a second end section, and a second end, the middle section engaged to and extending between the first and second end sections;
 the first end section comprising a plurality of substantially straight portions connected one to another by turns, the plurality of substantially straight portions and turns forming a circumferential ring that extends about the circumference of the stent,   the middle section comprising a plurality of substantially straight portions connected one to another by turns, the plurality of substantially straight portions and turns forming a plurality of helical hoops, the plurality of substantially straight portions comprising first substantially straight portions having a first length and second substantially straight portions having a second length less than the first length; and   the second end section comprising a plurality of substantially straight portions connected one to another by turns, the plurality of substantially straight portions and turns forming a circumferential ring that extends about the circumference of the stent.   
     
     
         2 . The stent of  claim 1  wherein some of the turns form the first end of the stent, the turns forming the first end being intersected by a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stent and some of the turns form the second end of the stent, the turns forming the second end being intersected by a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stent 
     
     
         3 . The stent of  claim 1 , the substantially straight portions of the first end section and the substantially straight portions of the second end portions having variable lengths. 
     
     
         4 . The stent of  claim 1 , the substantially straight portions of the first end section being substantially the same length and the substantially straight portions of the second end section being substantially the same length. 
     
     
         5 . The stent of  claim 1 , helical hoops which are longitudinally adjacent one another are engaged by a connector, the connector engaging two substantially straight portions.