Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

Axially flexible stents for tracking through tortuous segments of tubular structures in body passages are disclosed. The stents, which utilize flexible interconnects, conform to such tortuous segments, track easily, and have sufficient surface areas to prevent gaps between stent components. In a preferred embodiment the interconnects have the form of 'closed cells'. However, in contrast to stents of a closed cell design, the interconnects do not expand upon radial expansion of the stent during deployment. Instead, the interconnects can expand or contract axially to enable negotiating twists and turns encountered in body passageways. If the stent encounters a concavity in a body passageway, the interconnects contract. If the stent encounters a convexity, the interconnects expand.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim