Expandable endovascular support device

Abstract

A stent includes a cylindrical tubular form and a plurality of foil members coupled about to the exterior of the tubular form. The foil members are spaced apart around the circumference of the tubular form to provide spaces between the segments when the stent is in an expanded state, the spaces permitting the tubular form to be contracted to a small diameter for delivery to an implant site. According to a first embodiment, the stent is self-expanding, and the tubular form is formed from a resilient wire, preferably having a plurality of longitudinal back and forth bends. According to a second embodiment, the stent is self-expanding and comprised of a plurality of tubular portions linked together, each of the portions having a plurality of foil members coupled about the circumference of the portion. According to a third embodiment, the stent is pressure expandable, and the tubular form of the stent is made from a malleable slotted tube or one or more malleable wires. The malleable tubular form has a plurality of foil members coupled about its circumference. In each embodiment, the foil members contact the wall of the blood vessel at a relatively large and flat surface which minimizes trauma at the implant location. In addition, the foil members provide additional strength to the stent.