Stents with Profiles for Gripping a Balloon Catheter and Molds for Fabricating Stents

Abstract

A radially expandable stent can comprise a proximal section tapering inward to a proximal end of the stent and a distal section tapering inward to a distal end of the stent. The tapered sections can be adapted to improve the attachment of the stent to the delivery system and to facilitate the delivery of the mounted stent into and through a bodily lumen.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A radially expandable stent mounted on a delivery system, the stent comprising:
 a proximal section tapered inward to a proximal end of the stent and a distal section tapered inward to a distal end of the stent, the tapered sections being adapted to improve the attachment of the stent to the delivery system and to facilitate the delivery of the mounted stent into and through a bodily lumen.   
     
     
         2 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the stent comprises a biostable and/or biodegradable polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the stent comprises a profile that tapers inward relatively uniformly between the proximal section and the distal section. 
     
     
         4 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal section tapers inward relatively uniformly from an intermediate point between the proximal end and the distal end to the proximal end, and wherein the distal section tapers inward relatively uniformly from the intermediate point to the distal end. 
     
     
         5 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the delivery system comprises a balloon catheter.