Stent assembly and methods for treatment via body lumens
An enhanced stent apparatus includes an implantable element, constructed of a flexible, biocompatible material configured to be positioned in a body lumen. An inner structure is located on an inner surface of said implantable element, wherein the inner structure is made of metal, has a coverage area of less than 30% and is provided with apertures. An outer structure is located on an outer surface of said implantable element, wherein the outer structure is made of metal, has a coverage area of less than 30% and is provided with apertures.
1 . An enhanced stent apparatus, comprising:
an implantable element, constructed of a flexible, biocompatible material configured to be positioned in a body lumen;
an inner structure located on an inner surface of said implantable element, and wherein the inner structure is made of metal, has a coverage area of less than 30% and is provided with apertures; and
an outer structure located on an outer surface of said implantable element, and wherein the outer structure is made of metal, has a coverage area of less than 30% and is provided with apertures.
2 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the implantable element comprises a support element.
3 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the implantable element is constructed of a metal.
4 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the implantable element is constructed of a polymer.
5 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the implantable element is constructed of a biostable polymer.
6 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the implantable element is constructed of a bioresorbable polymer.
7 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said apertures have an average diameter of less than 200 microns.
8 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the outer structure has a thickness of less than 100 microns.
9 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the inner structure has a thickness of less than 20 microns.
10 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the outer structure is adapted to elute a pharmacological agent therefrom.
11 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the outer structure consists essentially of a single metal wire.
12 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the inner structure comprises a knitted fine metal wire.
13 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said implantable element, said inner structure and said outer structure are expandable.
14 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein at least one of said implantable element, said inner structure and said outer structure are self-expandable.
15 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said inner structure is knitted.
16 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said inner structure is woven.
17 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said inner structure is braided.
18 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said outer structure is interlaced.
19 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the outer structure is welded to the implantable element.
20 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the inner structure is comprised of at least one fiber under 30 microns in diameter.
21 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the outer structure is comprised of at least one fiber under 30 microns in diameter.
22 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein said outer structure is comprised of at least one fiber under 20 microns in diameter and has a coverage area of less than 20%.
23 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the inner structure and the outer structure are porous structures.
24 . An enhanced stent apparatus, comprising:
a support element, wherein said support element is constructed to be positioned in a body lumen; and
a porous structure, said porous structure located on a surface of said support element, and wherein the porous structure is comprised of at least one fiber under 30 microns in diameter, has a coverage area of less than 30% and is provided with apertures,
wherein an end of the porous structure is folded over an end of the support element.
25 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein the folded end of the porous structure is heat treated to make the fold permanent.
26 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein the porous structure is glued to the support element.
27 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 26 , wherein the outer porous structure is glued to the implantable element, by a polymer used for elution of a drug from the stent apparatus.
28 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 24 , wherein the porous structure consists essentially of a single metal wire.
29 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 28 , wherein said porous structure is knitted.
30 . An enhanced stent apparatus, comprising:
a support element, wherein said support element is constructed to be positioned in a body lumen; and
a porous structure, said porous structure located on a surface of said support element, and wherein the porous structure is comprised of at least one fiber under 30 microns in diameter, has a coverage area of less than 30% and is provided with apertures,
wherein the porous structure is glued to the support element.
31 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 30 , wherein the porous structure is glued to the support element, by a polymer used for elution of a drug from the stent apparatus.
32 . An enhanced stent apparatus according to claim 30 , wherein said porous structure is knitted.