Importance

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Abstract

A segmented stent 10 is disclosed as part of a flexible stent delivery system. The segmented stent 10 includes multiple segments 80 axially spaced from each other with unspanned gaps 45 between the segments 80. When the segmented stent 10 is flexed in a manner causing a central axis A to bend, the segments 80 maintain their form without significant flexing and the unspanned gaps 45 between the segments 80 are altered to provide flexing between the segments 80. A flexible balloon 110 is beneficially provided for delivery of the segmented stent 10 which includes separate cylindrical sections 120 which have an axial length which matches the axial length of each segment 80. Notches 130 are located between the cylindrical sections 120 in the flexible balloon 110 so that areas of flexing in the flexible balloon 110 line up with the unspanned gaps 45 in the segmented stent 10. Because the segments 80 are not attached together, the segmented stent 10 can be configured with a variety of different numbers and types of segments 80 having different sizes and different other properties in a custom manner as desired by the surgeon for maximum therapeutic effect of the segmented stent 10 once implanted into a body lumen L.

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First Claim