Importance

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Abstract

The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery. The stent consists of an elongated stent body formed with a central section positioned between a proximal end section and a distal end section, each having different radial expansion characteristics. The end sections of the stent are configured to have greater resistance to radial expansion than the corresponding central section such that, when deployed with a balloon catheter device, the central section of the stent expands to an enlarged final diameter to contact the interior walls of the body lumen before or simultaneously with the end sections as fully expanded. During stent deployment, radially outwardly acting forces applied to the stent deform the U-shaped structures in the circumferential direction thereby producing radial expansion of respective cylindrical elements. Expansion of individual cylindrical elements enables respective stent sections to enlarge from a compressed first diameter to an enlarged second diameter. Size and shape of the U-shaped structures control the expansion characteristics of respective cylindrical elements. U-shaped structures designed to be more resistant to circumferential deformation are utilized to form cylindrical elements having a greater resistance to radial expansion. Cylindrical elements are strategically arranged along the axial length of the stent to form stent sections which cooperate to control radial expansion.

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First Claim