Axially compressible flared stents and apparatus and methods for delivering them

Abstract

A stent includes a flaring portion and a main portion connected to the flaring portion. The main portion includes a plurality of bands of cells spaced apart axially from one another, adjacent bands of cells being intermittently connected to one another. During use, the stent is introduced into a main vessel in a contracted condition and positioned with the flaring portion adjacent an ostium. The flaring portion is flared, and the stent is advanced at least partially into the ostium. The stent is expanded further such that the main portion expands within the branch body lumen and / or the flaring portion expands adjacent the ostium. The main portion compresses axially during at least one of the steps when the stent is expanded, which may enhance conformance of the stent relative to the ostium and / or enhance reinforcement of the ostium.

Description

[0001] This application claims benefit of provisional application Ser. Nos. 60 / 710,521, filed Aug. 22, 2005, 60 / 727,703, filed Oct. 17, 2005, 60 / 757,600, filed Jan. 9, 2006, 60 / 743,880, filed Mar. 28, 2006, and 60 / 745,177, filed Apr. 19, 2006, the entire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to endoluminal prostheses or “stents,” and, more particularly, to flared stents, and to apparatus and methods for delivering such stents into an ostium of a blood vessel or other body lumen. BACKGROUND

[0003] Tubular endoprosthesis or “stents” have been suggested for dilating or otherwise treating stenoses, occlusions, and / or other lesions within a patient's vasculature or other body lumens. For example, a self-expanding stent may be maintained on a catheter in a contracted condition, e.g., by an overlying sheath or other constraint, and delivered into a target location, e.g., a stenosis within a ...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0069] Turning to the drawings, FIGS. 4-6 show exemplary embodiments of a stent 40 that includes a generally cylindrical tubular member including a proximal or first end 42 and a distal or second end 44 defining a longitudinal axis 46 therebetween. The stent 40 is generally radially expandable from a contracted or delivery condition (not shown), to a flared condition (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5A, 6A, and 6C), and to an enlarged or fully deployed condition (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5B, and 6B-6E). For example, the stent 40 may include a first end portion 41 at the first end 42 and a second portion 43 adjacent the first end portion 41, and a plurality of connectors 10 connecting the second portion 43 to the first end portion 41.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, the stent 40 may include a plurality of annular bands of cells 47-49 disposed between the proximal and distal ends 42, 44. Each band of cells 47-49 may be defined by a plurality of struts or other elements extending axially alo...

[0001] This application claims benefit of provisional application Ser. Nos. 60 / 710,521, filed Aug. 22, 2005, 60 / 727,703, filed Oct. 17, 2005, 60 / 757,600, filed Jan. 9, 2006, 60 / 743,880, filed Mar. 28, 2006, and 60 / 745,177, filed Apr. 19, 2006, the entire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to endoluminal prostheses or “stents,” and, more particularly, to flared stents, and to apparatus and methods for delivering such stents into an ostium of a blood vessel or other body lumen. BACKGROUND

[0003] Tubular endoprosthesis or “stents” have been suggested for dilating or otherwise treating stenoses, occlusions, and / or other lesions within a patient's vasculature or other body lumens. For example, a self-expanding stent may be maintained on a catheter in a contracted condition, e.g., by an overlying sheath or other constraint, and delivered into a target location, e.g., a stenosis within a ...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0069] Turning to the drawings, FIGS. 4-6 show exemplary embodiments of a stent 40 that includes a generally cylindrical tubular member including a proximal or first end 42 and a distal or second end 44 defining a longitudinal axis 46 therebetween. The stent 40 is generally radially expandable from a contracted or delivery condition (not shown), to a flared condition (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5A, 6A, and 6C), and to an enlarged or fully deployed condition (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 5B, and 6B-6E). For example, the stent 40 may include a first end portion 41 at the first end 42 and a second portion 43 adjacent the first end portion 41, and a plurality of connectors 10 connecting the second portion 43 to the first end portion 41.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, the stent 40 may include a plurality of annular bands of cells 47-49 disposed between the proximal and distal ends 42, 44. Each band of cells 47-49 may be defined by a plurality of struts or other elements extending axially alo...

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