Flexible stent

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a flexible expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery. The stent generally includes a series of metallic cylindrical rings longitudinally aligned on a common axis of the stent and interconnected by a series of links which be polymeric or metallic. Varying configurations and patterns of the links and rings provides longitudinal and flexural flexibility to the stent while maintaining sufficient column strength to space the cylindrical rings along the longitudinal axis and providing a low crimp profile, enhanced stent security and radial stiffness.

1 - 46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . An intravascular stent, comprising:
 a plurality of undulating rings including a proximal end ring, a distal end ring, and a plurality of center section rings therebetween, each ring having nine peaks on a proximal end of the ring and nine valleys on a distal end of the ring and adjacent rings are circumferentially offset from each other;   a plurality of links connecting a valley of one ring to a peak of an adjacent ring, each of the plurality of links extending at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the stent;   the proximal end ring is connected to an adjacent one of the center section rings by only two links;   each pair of adjacent center section rings being connected by three links extending from a peak on the proximal end of one center section ring to an adjacent valley on the distal end of an adjacent center section ring; and   the distal end ring is connected to an adjacent one of the center section rings by only two links.   
     
     
         48 . The intravascular stent of  claim 47 , wherein the angle formed between the links and the longitudinal axis of the stent is identical for all links. 
     
     
         49 . The intravascular stent of  claim 48 , wherein the angle formed between the links and the longitudinal axis of the stent is at the same orientation for all links. 
     
     
         50 . The intravascular stent of  claim 47 , wherein the links have a width that is greater than a width of the peaks and the valleys. 
     
     
         51 . The intravascular stent of  claim 47 , wherein the undulating rings have a cross-section different than a cross-section of the links. 
     
     
         52 . The intravascular stent of  claim 47 , wherein the peaks and the valleys are connected by bar arms, the bar arms having a width smaller than a width of the links. 
     
     
         53 . The intravascular stent of  claim 47 , wherein the stent is self-expanding expanding and formed from a nickel-titanium alloy. 
     
     
         54 . The intravascular stent of  claim 47 , wherein the stent is biodegradable. 
     
     
         55 . The intravascular stent of  claim 47 , wherein the stent includes a material therein to enhance the radiopacity of the stent. 
     
     
         56 . The intravascular stent of  claim 47 , wherein the undulating rings are formed from a metal selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, titanium, tungsten, tantalum, vanadium, nickel-titanium, cobalt-chromium, gold, palladium, platinum and platinum-iridium. 
     
     
         57 . The intravascular stent of  claim 47 , wherein at least a portion of the stent is coated with a therapeutic drug. 
     
     
         58 . The intravascular stent of  claim 47 , wherein at least one of the links include micro depots for accepting a therapeutic drug.