Method and apparatus for stenting

Abstract

A method and an apparatus to create a more favorable flow regime in a lumen. An artificial shape in the lumen is created to at least one of eliminate flow disturbances and enhance aspects of fluid flow through a treatment site.

1 - 60 . (canceled) 
     
     
         61 . A unitary stent for implantation in a vascular lumen, wherein, in an expanded state of the stent, the stent having a longitudinal axis along a direction of blood flow and an envelope, said envelope comprising:
 a first end and a second end defining a length therebetween, said envelope consisting of an asymmetric shape over the entire length;   a bottom portion of the envelope shaped of a right cylinder cut in half; and   an upper portion of the envelope asymmetrical to the bottom portion, said upper portion comprising a taper at a constant angle to the longitudinal axis of the stent along the entire length of the envelope.   
     
     
         62 . The stent of  claim 61 , wherein the stent is a self-expanding stent. 
     
     
         63 . A unitary stent for implantation in a vascular lumen, wherein, in an expanded state of the stent, said stent having a length and an asymmetric shape over the entire length, said stent comprises a longitudinal axis along a direction of blood flow and a plurality of cross-sections at planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, each cross-section having a shape,
 wherein at least one of said cross-sections is non-uniformly circular about the longitudinal axis and at least two of the plurality of cross-sections have different shapes from one another.   
     
     
         64 . The stent of  claim 63 , wherein the stent is a self-expanding stent. 
     
     
         65 . The stent of  claim 63 , wherein all cross-sections are non-uniformly circular about the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         66 . The stent of  claim 63 , further comprising a first end and a second end separated by the length, wherein a first cross-section taken at the first end has a larger area than a second cross-section taken at the second end.