Bidirectional stent and method of use thereof

Abstract

A bidirectional twistable stent is disclosed. The stent comprises a cylinder-shaped stent body having a plurality of axially arranged rows of struts encircling a central lumen and a plurality of flex connectors that connect at least two adjacent rows of struts in such a manner that allows the stent to be twisted clockwise or counter clockwise without causing deformation of any struts in the stent body. Also disclosed are the method of making the stent, method of using the stent, and a kit containing the stent.

1 - 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A bidirectional stent, comprising:
 a cylinder-shaped stent body comprising a plurality of axially arranged rows of struts encircling a central lumen, wherein each of said rows of struts comprises struts inter-connected to form a wave-pattern with alternating peaks and troughs, wherein each peak has a tip and each trough has a bottom, and wherein said rows of struts form one or more row sections and wherein each row section comprises at least one row of struts; and   flex connectors that connect adjacent row sections, wherein each of said flex connectors comprises a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is attached to a bottom of a first trough in an edge row of struts of a first row section, said first trough has a first trough amplitude, wherein said second end is attached to a bottom of a second trough in an edge row of struts of a second row section, said second trough has a second trough amplitude, and wherein said first row section is adjacent to said second row section,   wherein each of said flex connectors comprise:
 a first arm comprising said first end, wherein said first arm has a length that is the same as, or longer than said first trough amplitude; 
 a second arm comprising said second end, wherein said second arm has a length that is the same as, or longer than said second trough amplitude; and 
 a middle section connecting said first arm to said second arm, 
   wherein said stent body is capable of being twisted clockwise or counter-clockwise from one end of said stent body by one-fourth of a turn, or more, without causing deformation of any struts, non-flex connectors and flex-connectors in said stent body.   
     
     
         42 . The bidirectional stent of  claim 41 , wherein said middle section of said flex connector forms a first angle with said first arm of said flex connector and a second angle with said second arm of said flex connector, wherein said first angle is in a range of about 90-160 degrees and wherein said second angle is in a range of about 90-160 degrees. 
     
     
         43 . The bidirectional stent of  claim 42 , wherein said first angle is in a range of about 90-120 degrees and wherein said second angle is in a range of about 90-120 degrees. 
     
     
         44 . The bidirectional stent of  claim 41 , wherein each row section contains two or more rows of struts. 
     
     
         45 . The bidirectional stent of  claim 44 , wherein each row section contains two rows of struts. 
     
     
         46 . The bidirectional stent of  claim 41 , wherein the stent body contains three or more row sections. 
     
     
         47 . The bidirectional stent of  claim 46 , wherein each row section is connected to an adjacent row section by three or more flex connectors. 
     
     
         48 . The bidirectional stent of  claim 41 , wherein peaks in the same row of struts have the same peak amplitude and wherein troughs in the same row of struts have the same trough amplitude. 
     
     
         49 . The bidirectional stent of  claim 41 , wherein the struts and flex connectors are made from a metal or an alloy. 
     
     
         50 . The bidirectional stent of  claim 41 , wherein said struts and said flex connectors are made from nitinol. 
     
     
         51 . The bidirectional stent of  claim 41 , wherein said stent body is coated with a polymeric material. 
     
     
         52 . The bidirectional stent of  claim 51 , wherein said polymeric material is a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         53 . The bidirectional stent of  claim 51 , wherein said flex connectors allow said stent body to be twisted clockwise or counter-clockwise from one end of said stent body by ¼ of a turn without causing deformation of any struts and connectors in said stent body. 
     
     
         54 . The bidirectional stent of  claim 41 , wherein said flex connectors allow said stent body to be twisted clockwise or counter-clockwise from one end of said stent body by ½ of a turn without causing any deformation of said struts in said stent body. 
     
     
         55 . The bidirectional stent of  claim 41 , wherein said flex connectors allow said stent body to be twisted clockwise or counter-clockwise from one end of said stent body by a full turn without causing any deformation of said struts in said stent body. 
     
     
         56 . A stent kit, comprising:
 the bidirectional stent of claim  1 ; and   instructions for using the stent.   
     
     
         57 . The kit of  claim 56 , further comprising a guidewire.