Deformable lumen support devices and methods of use

Abstract

Lumen support devices and methods of their use are provided. A lumen support includes one or more plastically deformable cells having two stable configurations with no stable configurations between the two stable configurations. The lumen support device may be plastically deformed to other stable configurations.

1 - 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A balloon catheter comprising:
 a balloon; and   a lumen support device in a crimped configuration coupled to the balloon, the device comprising one or more unit cells capable of transitioning from a stable collapsed configuration to a stable expanded configuration by application of a force through an inversion point of decreased force, the one or more unit cells capable for plastically deforming to an expanded plastically deformed configuration; wherein the lumen support device comprises a material having an elastic range between about 0.15 to about 1%.   
     
     
         20 . The catheter of  claim 19 , wherein the material is a cobalt alloy. 
     
     
         21 . The catheter of  claim 19 , wherein an outer diameter of the balloon is greater than a diameter of the lumen support device in the stable collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         22 . The catheter of  claim 19 , further comprising a guidewire. 
     
     
         23 . The catheter of  claim 19 , further comprising an external barrier around the lumen support device. 
     
     
         24 . The catheter of  claim 19 , wherein the balloon is deflated. 
     
     
         25 . The catheter of  claim 19 , wherein the lumen support device includes a coating of one or more drugs, medications, or polymers. 
     
     
         26 . The catheter of  claim 19 , wherein the lumen support device includes a plurality of cells, each of the plurality of cells defined by at least a first segment and a second segment. 
     
     
         27 . The catheter of  claim 26 , wherein the second segment is less flexible than the first segment. 
     
     
         28 . The catheter of  claim 26 , wherein the first segment substantially conforms to a shape of the second segment in the stable collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         29 . The catheter of  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of cells is arranged in a first column and a second column. 
     
     
         30 . The catheter of  claim 26 , wherein the first column and the second column are interconnected by at least one connector. 
     
     
         31 . The catheter of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one connector is flexible. 
     
     
         32 . The catheter of  claim 19 , wherein the material has an elongation of above 30%. 
     
     
         33 . The catheter of  claim 19 , wherein the material has an ultimate tensile strength greater than 500 MPa.