IP Library Granted Patent US 12,310,835
Granted Patent B2
US 12,310,835 · App. 18/406,467 · Granted May 27, 2025

Stent with expandable foam

Inventors: Thomas S. Wilson (Castro Valley, CA); Duncan J. Maitland (College Station, TX); Ward Small, IV (Livermore, CA); Patrick R. Buckley (Alameda, CA); William J. Benett (Livermore, CA); Jonathan Hartman (Sacramento, CA); David Saloner (San Rafael, CA)
Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC; The Regents Of The University Of California
A61F2/06A61B17/12022A61B17/12113A61B17/12118A61B17/1214A61B17/12181A61F2/82A61F2/95A61B2017/00867A61B2017/00871A61B17/12031A61B2017/1205A61B2017/12054A61B2017/12072A61B2017/12077A61F2002/823
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,310,835
App. No.
18/406,467
Granted
May 27, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A stent for treating a physical anomaly. The stent includes a skeletal support structure for expanding in the physical anomaly and a shape memory material coupled to the skeletal support structure.

Claims (32)

1. A system comprising:

first and second shape memory polymers (SMPs);

wherein the first SMP: (a) is a cross-linked, biodegradable foam that includes a first channel, (b) is in a first state and is configured to expand to a second state, radially outward from the second SMP, in response to thermal stimulus, (c) has a glass transition temperature (Tg) between 30° C. and 86° C.; and (d) is configured to have hysteresis corresponding to the Tg;

wherein the second SMP: (a) is included in a frame having openings, a first strut that includes the second SMP, and a second strut that includes the second SMP, and (b) is included in the first channel;

wherein the first and second SMPs are coupled to a wire;

wherein the foam adheres to the second SMP via a polyurethane-based adhesive;

wherein the first SMP is configured to extend within the openings when in the second state.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the wire is configured to guide the first and second SMPs within a vascular system and to a physiological void.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the polyurethane-based adhesive is a thermoset polymer.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the foam is configured to have, in the second state, a volumetric void fraction greater than 98% and less than 100%.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the foam is configured to have the hysteresis corresponding to the Tg in response to absorption of physiological compounds that act as plasticizers.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the frame is a stent.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the foam is a thermoset polyurethane polymer.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the foam includes a polymer that comprises polymerized monomers, the monomers including at least two of a diisocyanate, triethanolamine (TEA), hydroxypropyl ethylenediamine (HPED), or combinations thereof.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the monomers include the diisocyanate and the diisocyanate includes Hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI).

10. The system of claim 8 , wherein the monomers include the TEA and the HPED.

11. The system of claim 8 , wherein the monomers include the diisocyanate, the TEA, and the HPED.

12. The system of claim 8 , wherein the foam is a thermoset polyurethane polymer.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the polyurethane-based adhesive is a thermoset polymer.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the foam is configured to have the hysteresis corresponding to the Tg in response to absorption of physiological compounds that act as plasticizers.

15. The system of claim 14 , wherein the foam is configured to have, in the second state, a volumetric void fraction greater than 98% and less than 100%.

16. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first SMP has a volume expansion between 100% and 10,000%.

17. A system comprising:

a first shape memory polymer (SMP) foam and a second SMP;

a second foam coupled to the second SMP;

wherein the first SMP foam: (a) is a cross-linked, biodegradable foam that includes a first channel, (b) is in a first state and is configured to expand to a second state, radially outward from the second SMP, in response to thermal stimulus, (c) has a glass transition temperature (Tg) between 30° C. and 86° C.; and (d) is configured to have hysteresis corresponding to the Tg;

wherein the second SMP: (a) is included in a frame having a first strut that includes the second SMP and a second strut that includes the second SMP, and (b) is included in the first channel;

wherein the first SMP foam and the second SMP are coupled to a wire;

wherein the first SMP foam adheres to the second SMP via a polyurethane-based adhesive.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein the second foam is included within the frame.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the second foam is removably coupled within the frame.

20. The system of claim 17 , wherein the first SMP has a volume expansion between 100% and 10,000%.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 26, 2026
From: HARTMAN, JONATHAN; SALONER, DAVID
To: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
Reel/Frame 075640/0889 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 26, 2026
From: WILSON, THOMAS S.; MAITLAND, DUNCAN J.; SMALL, WARD, IV; BUCKLEY, PATRICK R.; BENNETT, WILLIAM J.
To: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
Reel/Frame 074761/0254 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Apr 10, 2024
From: LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
To: US DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 067063/0192 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 17070053 · Oct 14, 2020
Continuation 16139365 · Sep 24, 2018
Continuation 14797973 · Jul 13, 2015
Continuation 13892492 · May 13, 2013
Continuation 13010055 · Jan 20, 2011
Continuation In Part 11606620 · Nov 29, 2006
Related Publication 20240261082A1 · Aug 8, 2024
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