The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 19, 2001
Filed:
Nov. 26, 1997
Joel L. Berry, Winston-Salem, NC (US);
Carlos M. Ferrario, Winston-Salem, NC (US);
Richard H. Dean, Winston-Salem, NC (US);
Virginia S. Newman, Winston-Salem, NC (US);
Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC (US);
Abstract
An expandable, intraluminal stent is provided which can be inserted into a body passage, and is capable of supporting an intact vascular graft. The stent is a thin-walled, generally tubular member having a plurality of rigid support tabs spaced uniformly around the perimeter of the two ends of the stent. A plurality of spacer bars span longitudinally between the rigid support tabs at one end of the stent and corresponding rigid support tabs at the other end. The spacer bars serve as struts to prevent longitudinal expansion or contraction of the stent so that the length of the stent is maintained. Plastically deformable connecting links interconnect adjacent rigid support tabs around each end of the stent to enable the stent to be expanded to an enlarged diameter. The stent can be expanded with a delivery system which applies a radially, outwardly extending force from the exterior of the stent. Alternatively, the stent can be expanded using an angioplasty balloon.