Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Jeff Pappas

Anton G Clifford

Erik Eli

David Lowe

Howard Huang

Kevin Kang

Brett W Cryer

Ketan P Muni

Eugene Young

Lisa Weldon

Endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes at least one annular element defined by a first set of strut members interconnected to define apices proximate opposite sides of the annular element. The annular element further includes a foot extension extending between at least one pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members. The foot extension has first and second foot portions extending circumferentially from corresponding ends of the circumferentially-adjacent strut members, and are contoured to provide at least two areas of flexure. The first and second foot portions are joined at a toe portion of the foot extension, and define a circumferentially-directed apex between the pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members. Preferably, at least one or more additional annular elements, each defined by interconnected strut members, are provided. The annular elements are generally expandable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. The annular elements are longitudinally aligned and connected at connection locations with connectors, wherein at least one of the connectors is constructed of a bio-absorbable material.

Endoprosthesis having foot extensions

Endoprosthesis is provided, which includes a plurality of annular elements, each annular element connected to an adjacent annular element at least one connection location. Each annular element includes an interconnected series of strut members, at least one strut member connected to a first circumferentially adjacent strut member at a first longitudinal apex and to a second circumferentially adjacent strut member at a second longitudinal apex, the first apex and the second apex being on longitudinally opposite sides of the annular element. The at least one strut member includes a first end portion at a first end of the strut member, the first end extending to the first apex, an intermediate portion hingedly connected to the first end portion, and a second end portion hingedly connected to the intermediate portion and extending to the second apex.

Endoprosthesis for controlled contraction and expansion

Endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes at least one annular element defined by a first set of strut members interconnected to define apices proximate opposite sides of the annular element. The annular element further includes a foot extension extending between at least one pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members. The foot extension has first and second foot portions extending circumferentially from corresponding ends of the circumferentially-adjacent strut members, and are contoured to provide at least two areas of flexure. The first and second foot portions are joined at a toe portion of the foot extension, and define a circumferentially-directed apex between the pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members. Preferably, at least one or more additional annular elements, each defined by interconnected strut members, are provided. The annular elements are generally expandable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. The annular elements are longitudinally aligned and connected at connection locations. Preferably, each connection location includes a foot extension, such as by an overlapping pattern between the longitudinally-adjacent annular elements or by a connector extending therebetween.

An endoprosthesis that has an interconnected series of struts, selected strut members connected to adjacent strut members at a longitudinal apex. Strut members include a first end portion, an intermediate portion hingedly connected to the first end portion, and a second end portion hingedly connected to the intermediate portion and extending to the apex. Some of the strut members can have a nesting feature configured for nestingly receiving another strut member when the endoprosthesis is in the delivery condition. A scaffolding body of the endoprosthesis can have an inner and outer component, each having a set of interconnected strut members which overlap those of the other to define a cooperating cell pattern. Also, the endoprosthesis can be configured to naturally tend to contract when the body is smaller than a predetermined diameter and expand when the body is larger than a predetermined diameter.

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Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

Jeff Pappas