Visible endoprosthesis

Abstract

A crack-resistant endoprosthesis for delivery in a body lumen can be comprised of a multilayered material. The multilayered material can include at least two layers having a boundary layer therebetween. The boundary layer is configured to inhibit cracks from propagating from a first layer-to a second layer. The different layers can be comprised of the same materials or different materials. It can be preferred that the multilayered material have layers that are comprised of resiliently-flexible materials, shape memory materials, and/or radiopaque materials.

1 . An endoprosthesis for delivery into a body lumen, the endoprosthesis comprising:
 a plurality of braid elements braided together so as to form a braided tube, wherein one or more of the braid elements include a multilayered body.   
     
     
         2 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of braid elements are comprised of:
 a first set of braid elements having a substantially first orientation; and   a second set of braid elements having a substantially second orientation that intersects with the first direction.   
     
     
         3 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein at least one braid element is comprised of a radiopaque material. 
     
     
         4 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 3 , wherein the radiopaque layer is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of palladium platinum, tungsten, silver, stainless steel, gold, tantalum, bismuth, barium sulfate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein at least one braid element is comprised of a resiliently-flexible material. 
     
     
         6 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 5 , wherein the resiliently-flexible material is a shape memory material. 
     
     
         7 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more rails coupled to the braid elements that are braided together so as to hold the endoprosthesis together. 
     
     
         8 . An endoprosthesis for delivery into a body lumen, the endoprosthesis comprising:
 a first tubular member or rail comprised of a flexibly-resilient member; and   a braided tube bound to the first tubular member or rail, the braided tube being comprised of a plurality of braid element braided together, wherein one or more of the braid elements include a multilayered body.   
     
     
         9 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 8 , wherein the braid elements are comprised of:
 a first set of braid elements having a substantially first orientation; and   a second set of braid elements having a substantially second orientation that intersects with the first direction.   
     
     
         10 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 8 , wherein at least one braid element is comprised of a radiopaque material. 
     
     
         11 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 10 , wherein the radiopaque layer is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of palladium platinum, tungsten, silver, stainless steel, gold, tantalum, bismuth, barium sulfate, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 8 , wherein at least one braid element is comprised of a resiliently-flexible material. 
     
     
         13 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 12 , wherein the resiliently-flexible material is a shape memory material. 
     
     
         14 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 9 , wherein one or more rails are coupled to the braid elements that are braided together so as to hold the endoprosthesis together. 
     
     
         15 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 8 , wherein the first tubular member or rail is disposed outwardly from the braided tube. 
     
     
         16 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 15 , wherein the first tubular member or rail is comprised of a shape memory material. 
     
     
         17 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 16 , wherein the shape memory material is a nickel titanium alloy. 
     
     
         18 . An endoprosthesis for delivery into a body lumen, the endoprosthesis comprising:
 a first tubular member or rail comprised of at least one of a radiopaque material ceramic, polymer, or a shape memory alloy; and   a braided tube concentric with and bound to the first tubular member or rail, the braided tube being comprised of a plurality of braid element braided together, wherein at least one braid element is comprised of a radiopaque material, ceramic, polymer, or a shaped memory alloy, wherein one or more of the braid elements include a multilayered body.   
     
     
         19 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 18 , wherein the first tubular member and braided tube are combined by being drawn together. 
     
     
         20 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 18 , wherein a bonding layer bonds the first tubular member or rail to the braided tube.