Endoprostheses with interlocking stents having varying stiffness
An endoprosthesis having a length, a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis is disclosed herein, where the endoprosthesis is expandable from a compact, delivery configuration to an enlarged, deployed configuration. The endoprosthesis includes a plurality of rows of stent elements along the length of the endoprosthesis, where the plurality of rows include a first row and a second row located adjacent to the first row. The first row of stent elements has a first plurality of alternating apices, and the second row of stent elements has a second plurality of alternating apices. The first and second pluralities of alternating apices define a spaced apart, interlocking arrangement. The endoprosthesis also includes a discontinuous web of material comprising a plurality of web elements spaced from one another and interconnecting the first and second pluralities of alternating apices. The plurality of web elements are arranged along a first, common circumference such that the plurality of web elements restrict torsion and axial compression of the endoprosthesis between the first and second rows of stent elements when the endoprosthesis is in the enlarged, deployed configuration.
1 . An endoprosthesis having a length, a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, the endoprosthesis being expandable from a compact, delivery configuration to an enlarged, deployed configuration, the endoprosthesis comprising:
a plurality of rows of stent elements along the length of the endoprosthesis, the plurality of rows including a first row and a second row located adjacent to the first row, the first row of stent elements having a first plurality of alternating apices and the second row of stent elements having a second plurality of alternating apices, the first and second pluralities of alternating apices defining a spaced apart, interlocking arrangement in the compact, delivery configuration and in the enlarged, deployed configuration; and
a discontinuous web of material comprising a thin film, the discontinuous web of material defining a plurality of web elements spaced from one another and interconnecting the first and second pluralities of alternating apices, the plurality of web elements being arranged along a circumference such that an angle formed between the circumference and the longitudinal axis is from 75 degrees to 90 degrees;
wherein, when the endoprosthesis is in the enlarged, deployed configuration, the plurality of web elements restrict torsion and axial compression of the endoprosthesis between the first and second rows of stent elements.
2 . The endoprosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of web elements and the first and second rows of stent elements define a plurality of apertures.
3 . The endoprosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rows of stent elements are formed of an elastically deformable material.
4 . The endoprosthesis of claim 3 , wherein the elastically deformable material includes a nickel-titanium alloy.
5 . The endoprosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the thin film comprises an ePTFE membrane.
6 . The endoprosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of alternating apices are axially aligned with the second plurality of alternating apices to define a plurality of interlocked peaks and a plurality of interlocked valleys.
7 . The endoprosthesis of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rows of stent elements are formed of a plastically deformable material.
8 . The endoprosthesis of claim 7 , wherein the plastically deformable material includes a stainless steel alloy.
9 . An endoprosthesis having a length, a first end, a second end, and a longitudinal axis, the endoprosthesis being expandable from a compact, delivery configuration to an enlarged, deployed configuration, the endoprosthesis comprising:
a plurality of rows of stent elements along the length of the endoprosthesis, the plurality of rows including a first row and a second row located adjacent to the first row, the first row of stent elements having a first plurality of alternating apices and the second row of stent elements having a second plurality of alternating apices, the first and second pluralities of alternating apices defining a spaced apart, interlocking arrangement; and
a discontinuous web of material comprising:
a first plurality of web elements spaced from one another and interconnecting the first and second pluralities of alternating apices, the first plurality of web elements being arranged along a first, common circumference, and
a second plurality of web elements spaced from one another and interconnecting the first and second pluralities of alternating apices, the second plurality of web elements being arranged along a second, common circumference longitudinally spaced from the first, common circumference;
wherein, when the endoprosthesis is in the enlarged, deployed configuration, the first plurality of web elements and the second plurality of web elements restrict torsion and elongation of the endoprosthesis between the first and second rows of stent elements.
10 . The endoprosthesis of claim 9 , wherein one or more of the first plurality of web elements and the second plurality of web elements each extend at an angular offset relative to the circumference of the endoprosthesis.
11 . The endoprosthesis of claim 9 , wherein one or more of the first plurality of web elements and the second plurality of web elements each extend at an acute angular offset relative to the circumference of the endoprosthesis when the endoprosthesis is in the enlarged, deployed configuration.
12 . The endoprosthesis of claim 9 , wherein one or more of the first plurality of web elements and the second plurality of web elements each extend along a circumference of the endoprosthesis.
13 . The endoprosthesis of claim 9 , wherein the first plurality of web elements are arranged at a first angle from 75 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis along the first circumference when the endoprosthesis is in the enlarged, deployed configuration, and the second plurality of web elements are arranged at a second angle from 75 degrees to 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis along the second circumference longitudinally spaced from the first circumference when the endoprosthesis is in the enlarged, deployed configuration.