Stent for repairing a pipe

1. A stent for repairing a pipe comprising:

a stent spring comprising a plurality of minor springs connected in a series;

a spring constrictor engaged with each of the minor springs, each of the spring constrictors movable between a first position, wherein the stent is in a compressed configuration, and a second position, wherein the stent is in an expanded configuration; and

a seal configured to engage an inner wall of a pipe.

2. The stent of claim 1 , wherein the seal defines a hollow, tubular sleeve formed from a flexible and resilient material.

3. The stent of claim 1 , wherein:

each of the spring constrictor comprises a connector:

the stent further comprises a release mechanism connected to each of the connectors and configured for axial movement relative to the stent spring.

4. The stent of claim 1 , wherein:

in the first position, each of the minor springs is in a constricted configuration and defines a first maximum width; and

in the second position, each of the minor springs is in an un-constricted configuration and defines a second maximum width that is greater than the first maximum width.

5. The stent of claim 1 , wherein:

each of the minor springs defines a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a middle section therebetween;

each of the spring constrictors is engaged with the middle section of the corresponding minor spring in the first position; and

each of the spring constrictors is engaged with the second end of the corresponding minor spring in the second position.

6. The stent of claim 5 , wherein

each of the spring constrictors defines a first leg and a second leg;

the first leg and second leg of each minor spring are joined together at the corresponding first end;

the first leg and second leg of each minor spring are spaced apart at the corresponding middle section and second end;

each of the first leg and second leg define a head portion and a tail portion; and

each of the spring constrictors is mounted on the tail portions of the corresponding first leg and second leg.

7. A method for repairing a pipe comprising:

providing a stent comprising a stent spring and a seal, the stent spring comprising a plurality of minor springs;

orienting the minor springs in a constricted configuration to reduce a diameter of the stent, wherein orienting the minor springs in a constricted configuration comprises engaging each of the minor springs with a spring constrictor in a first position;

inserting the stent into a pipe;

orienting the minor spring in an un-constricted configuration to increase the diameter of the stent; and

engaging an inner wall of the pipe with the seal.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein engaging each of the minor springs with a spring constrictor in a first position comprises inserting a first leg and a second leg of each of the minor springs through an opening in a corresponding spring constrictor and sliding the spring constrictor along the first leg and second leg to the first position.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein orienting the minor spring in an un-constricted configuration comprises sliding each of the spring constrictors along the corresponding minor spring from the first position to a second position.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein sliding each of the spring constrictors along the corresponding minor spring from the first position to a second position comprises engaging a connector of each of the spring constrictors with a release mechanism and moving the release mechanism axially relative to the stent.