Importance

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Abstract

The invention is directed to an expandable stent for implanting in a body lumen, such as a coronary artery, peripheral artery, or other body lumen. The invention provides for an intravascular stent having a plurality of cylindrical rings connected by undulating links. A plurality of inverted cylindrical end rings can be coupled at least in part to a plurality of adjacent cylindrical rings in the form of mirror images such that a symmetrical configuration is present on at least one of a proximal end and a distal end of the stent. The stent has a high degree of flexibility in the longitudinal direction, yet has adequate vessel wall coverage and radial strength sufficient to hold open an artery or other body lumen. The inverted end ring configuration of the stent aims at reducing the stent-to-shoulder distance as well as delivering therapeutic drug to the peri-stent area while maintaining a pristine stent deployment.

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First Claim