Shape memory tubular stent with grooves

Abstract

An implantable, radially distensible stent includes a tubular structure having opposed open ends. The wall of the stent is made from a shape memory polymeric material. Grooves may be disposed within an outer surface of stent wall to improve flexibility and drainage of the stent.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 107,440, filed Oct. 22, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates to a polymeric stent stent. More particularly, the invention relates to a shape memory polymeric stent having grooves.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]An intraluminary prosthesis is a medical device used in the treatment of diseased bodily lumens. One type of intraluminary prosthesis used in the repair and / or treatment of diseases in various body vessels is a stent. A stent is generally a longitudinal tubular device formed of biocompatible material which is useful to open and support various lumens in the body. For example, stents may be used in the bodily vessel, such as in the coronary or peripheral vasculature, esophagus, trachea, bronchi colon, biliary tract, urinary tract, prostate, brain, as well as in a variety of other ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a shape memory stent. The shape memory tubular stent has applications in bodily lumens, such as but not limited to the common bile duct, pancreatic duct and hepatic ducts where a solid stent is needed and where in-growth can occur due to proliferating oncologous cells. The shape memory tubular stent may further include grooves into its outer surface to increase flexibility of the stent. Having grooves on the outside surface of the stent may also decrease pancreatitis and prevent migration. The grooves may allow the secretion of bile from other bifurcating ducts (pancreatic and hylar ducts) over the outside of the stent. The grooves may also allow some cellular in-growth on the outside of the stent. The stent may be a solid tube without substantial openings for the prevention of cellular in-growth. Decreasing pancreatitis by not blocking flow from the bifurcating ducts of the common bile duct may also be accomplished by placing small holes into the stent. The holes may be distant for each other to decrease cellular in-growth.

Problems solved by technology

These patients often suffer from an obstruction in the pancreaticobiliary ductal system.

Some stents or catheters, however, commonly get blocked and clog up.

Such thick walls may make delivery through curved lumens difficult.

Further, such thick walled devices may not be flexible.

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