Intralumenally-implantable frames
Implantable frames for use in body passages are provided herein. The implantable frames can include a plurality of hoop members joined by a plurality of longitudinal connecting members to form a tubular frame defining a cylindrical lumen. The plurality of longitudinal connecting members may include first and second longitudinal connecting members joining a first hoop member to a second hoop member such that the first and second longitudinal connecting members extend across an entire space separating the first and second hoop members.
1. An implantable frame defining a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the implantable frame moveable between a compressed state and an expanded state and comprising:
a proximal hoop member;
a distal hoop member;
one or more additional hoop members positioned between the proximal and distal hoop members along said longitudinal axis;
each hoop member comprising a plurality of interconnected struts and bends arranged in an undulating shape;
wherein each hoop member of the one or more additional hoop members is connected to a longitudinally adjacent hoop member by an array of longitudinal connecting members arranged in pairs of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members;
wherein a first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from a first bend of a first hoop member toward a first bend of a second hoop member; and
wherein a second pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from the first bend of the second hoop member toward a first bend of a third hoop member.
2. The implantable frame of claim 1 , wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a first lengthwise axis;
wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the second pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a second lengthwise axis; and
wherein the first lengthwise axis is coaxial with the second lengthwise axis.
3. The implantable frame of claim 1 , wherein a third pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from a second bend of the first hoop member toward a second bend of the second hoop member; and
wherein a fourth pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from the second bend of the second hoop member toward a second bend of the third hoop member.
4. The implantable frame of claim 3 , wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the third pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a third lengthwise axis;
wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the fourth pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a fourth lengthwise axis; and
wherein the third lengthwise axis is coaxial with the fourth lengthwise axis.
5. The implantable frame of claim 3 , wherein a fifth pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from a third bend of the first hoop member toward a third bend of the second hoop member; and
wherein a sixth pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from the third bend of the second hoop member toward a third bend of the third hoop member.
6. The implantable frame of claim 5 , wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the fifth pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a fifth lengthwise axis;
wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the sixth pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a sixth lengthwise axis; and
wherein the fifth lengthwise axis is coaxial with the sixth lengthwise axis.
7. The implantable frame of claim 1 , wherein the first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends axially-beyond a second bend of the second hoop member.
8. The implantable frame of claim 1 , wherein the first bend of the first hoop member has a first apex and connects first and second circumferentially adjacent struts; and
wherein the first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from the first apex.
9. The implantable frame of claim 8 , wherein a third pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from a second bend of the first hoop member toward a second bend of the second hoop member, the third pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members disposed between the second strut and a circumferentially adjacent third strut of the first hoop member.
10. The implantable frame of claim 1 , wherein the first hoop member comprises one of the one or more additional hoop members.
11. The implantable frame of claim 10 , wherein the third hoop member comprises one of the proximal and distal hoop members.
12. The implantable frame of claim 1 , further comprising a radiopaque marker.
13. The implantable frame of claim 12 , wherein the radiopaque marker is attached to a bridging member extending between first and second struts of a hoop member.
14. The implantable frame of claim 1 , wherein the implantable frame is self-expandable.
15. The implantable frame of claim 14 , wherein the implantable frame comprises a shape memory alloy.
16. The implantable frame of claim 1 , wherein the implantable frame requires mechanical expansion to move from the compressed state to the expanded state.
17. The implantable frame of claim 1 , wherein the implantable frame includes a bioactive agent.
18. An implantable frame defining a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the implantable frame moveable between a compressed state and an expanded state and comprising:
a proximal hoop member;
a distal hoop member;
one or more additional hoop members positioned between the proximal and distal hoop members along said longitudinal axis;
each hoop member comprising a plurality of interconnected struts and bends arranged in an undulating shape;
wherein each hoop member of the one or more additional hoop members is connected to a longitudinally adjacent hoop member by an array of longitudinal connecting members arranged in pairs of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members;
wherein a first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from a first bend of a first hoop member toward a first bend of a second hoop member;
wherein a second pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from the first bend of the second hoop member toward a first bend of a third hoop member;
wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a first lengthwise axis;
wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the second pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a second lengthwise axis; and
wherein the first lengthwise axis is coaxial with the second lengthwise axis.
19. An implantable frame defining a lumen extending between a proximal end and a distal end along a longitudinal axis, the implantable frame moveable between a compressed state and an expanded state and comprising:
a proximal hoop member;
a distal hoop member;
one or more additional hoop members positioned between the proximal and distal hoop members along said longitudinal axis;
each hoop member comprising a plurality of interconnected struts and bends arranged in an undulating shape;
wherein each hoop member of the one or more additional hoop members is connected to a longitudinally adjacent hoop member by an array of longitudinal connecting members arranged in pairs of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members;
wherein a first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from a first bend of a first hoop member toward a first bend of a second hoop member;
wherein a second pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from the first bend of the second hoop member toward a first bend of a third hoop member;
wherein a third pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from a second bend of the first hoop member toward a second bend of the second hoop member;
wherein a fourth pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members extends from the second bend of the second hoop member toward a second bend of the third hoop member;
wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the first pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a first lengthwise axis;
wherein a first longitudinal connecting member of the second pair of closely-spaced longitudinal connecting members has a second lengthwise axis; and
wherein the first lengthwise axis is coaxial with the second lengthwise axis.