Balloon expandable stent with a self-expanding portion
A stent consisting of at least two parts in juxtaposition, one part being of self-expandable characteristics while the other part is balloon expandable.
1 - 15 . (canceled)
16 . A stent having a length and comprising at least one self expanding portion and at least one balloon expandable portion, in an unexpanded state the stent has a diameter that is substantially uniform along the length of the stent, in an expanded state the stent has a first section and a second section wherein the second section has a diameter greater than that of the first section.
17 . The stent of claim 16 wherein the first section is balloon expandable and the second section is self expanding.
18 . The stent of claim 16 having a proximal end region, a distal end region and a medial region there between, wherein the second section comprises at least a portion of the proximal end region.
19 . The stent of claim 18 wherein the first section is balloon expandable and the second section is self expanding.
20 . The stent of claim 18 wherein in the expanded state the proximal end region flares radially outward from the medial portion.
21 . The stent of claim 20 wherein the proximal end region flares out radially such that a proximal most portion of the proximal end region has a substantially greater diameter than that of a distal most portion of the proximal end region.
22 . The stent of claim 16 having a proximal end region, a distal end region and a medial region there between, wherein the second section comprises at least a portion of the distal end region.
23 . The stent of claim 22 wherein the first section is balloon expandable and the second section is self expanding.
24 . The stent of claim 22 wherein in the expanded state the distal end region flares radially outward from the medial portion.
25 . The stent of claim 24 wherein the distal end region flares out radially such that a distal most portion of the distal end region has a substantially greater diameter than that of a proximal most portion of the distal end region.
26 . The stent of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of the stent is made of nitinol.
27 . The stent of claim 16 wherein at least a portion of the second section is made of nitinol.
28 . The stent of claim 16 wherein the second section is shorter than the first section.
29 . A stent having a length and comprising at least one self expanding portion and at least one balloon expandable portion, in an unexpanded state the stent has a diameter that is substantially the same along the length of the stent, in an expanded state the at least one self expanding portion has a diameter greater than that of the at least one balloon expandable portion.
30 . The stent of claim 29 wherein the at least one self expanding section is at an end of the stent.
31 . The stent of claim 29 having a proximal end region, a distal end region and a medial region there between, wherein the proximal end region and the distal end region are self expanding such that in an expanded state at least one of the end regions has a diameter greater than that of the medial region.