US20040167610A1 - Locking stent - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking stent has a lattice of interconnecting elements defining a substantially cylindrical configuration having a first open end and a second open end. The lattice has a closed configuration and an open configuration. The lattice also has a plurality of adjacent hoops wherein each hoop is separated from another hoop in the closed configuration. Each hoop mateably connects with or interlocks with an adjacent hoop in the open configuration.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates, in general, to intralumenal medical devices, and, more particularly, two a new and useful stent having interlocking elements for stenting a vessel.[0001]
BACKGROUND ART
• A stent is commonly used as a tubular structure left inside the lumen of a duct to relieve an obstruction. Commonly, stents are inserted into the lumen in a non-expanded form and are then expanded autonomously (or with the aid of a second device) in situ. When used in coronary artery procedures for relieving stenosis, stents are placed percutaneously through the femoral artery. In this type of procedure, stents are delivered on a catheter and are either self-expanding or, in the majority of cases, expanded by a balloon. Self-expanding stents do not need a balloon to be deployed. Rather the stents are constructed using metals with spring-like or superelastic properties (i.e., Nitinol), which inherently exhibit constant radial support. Self-expanding stents are also often used in vessels close to the skin (i.e., carotid arteries) or vessels that can experience a lot of movement (i.e., popliteal artery). Due to a natural elastic recoil, self-expanding stents withstand pressure or shifting and maintain their shape.[0002]
• As mentioned above, the typical method of expansion for balloon expanded stents occurs through the use of a catheter mounted angioplasty balloon, which is inflated within the stenosed vessel or body passageway, in order to shear and disrupt the obstructions associated with the wall components of the vessel and to obtain an enlarged lumen.[0003]
• In addition, balloon-expandable stents are available either pre-mounted or unmounted. A pre-mounted system has the stent already crimped on a balloon, while an unmounted system gives the physician the option as to what combination of devices (catheters and stents) to use. Accordingly, for these types of procedures, the stent is first introduced into the blood vessel on a balloon catheter. Then, the balloon is inflated causing the stent to expand and press against the vessel wall. After expanding the stent, the balloon is deflated and withdrawn from the vessel together with the catheter. Once the balloon is withdrawn, the stent stays in place permanently, holding the vessel open and improving the flow of blood.[0004]
• In the absence of a stent, restenosis may occur as a result of elastic recoil of the stenotic lesion. Although a number of stent designs have been reported, these designs have suffered from a number of limitations. Some of these limitations include design limitations resulting in low radial strength, decrease in the length of the stent upon deployment, i.e. foreshortening, and high degree of axial compression experienced by the stent.[0005]
• Accordingly, to date, there have not been any stent designs, that specifically address these drawbacks in an efficient and cost effective manner.[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for stenting a vessel in conjunction with a particular new and useful stent having a lattice of interconnecting elements defining a substantially cylindrical configuration. The lattice has a first open end and a second open end wherein the lattice is movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration.[0007]
• The lattice comprises a plurality of adjacent hoops wherein each hoop is separated from another hoop in the closed configuration and each hoop interlocks with another hoop in the open configuration.[0008]
• Each hoop comprises a plurality of loops. And, each hoop further comprises a plurality of struts connected to the loops.[0009]
• At least one loop of one hoop comprises a male end and at least one loop of another hoop comprises a female end. The male end is separated from the female end when the lattice is in the closed configuration. The male end is connectably mated to the female end when the lattice is moved to the open configuration thereby locking the stent lattice in the open configuration.[0010]
• Thus, the male end of at least one loop of one hoop and the female end of at least one loop of another hoop form a locked joint when the lattice is moved into the open configuration thereby locking the stent in the open configuration. The lattice further comprises at least one flexible link or a plurality of flexible links connected between adjacent hoops. The flexible links comprise various shapes such as a sinusoidal shaped, straight or linear shape, or a substantially S-shaped or Z-shaped pattern. At least one flexible link is connected between loops of adjacent hoops of the lattice.[0011]
• Additionally, the plurality of struts and the loops define at least one pre-configured cell. Preferably, the lattice comprises a plurality of pre-configured cells defined by the plurality of struts and the loops of the lattice.[0012]
• Additionally, the plurality of struts and the loops also define at least one partial cell. In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the plurality of struts and the loops define a plurality of partial cells. A partial cell is defined by the plurality of struts and the loops when the lattice is in the closed configuration.[0013]
• Additionally, the plurality of struts and the loops define at least one formed cell. In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the plurality of struts and the loops of the stent lattice define a plurality of formed cells. A formed cell is defined by the plurality of struts and the loops when the lattice is moved into the open configuration (locked configuration).[0014]
• The male end of the at least one loop of one hoop has a substantially convex configuration. The female end of at least one loop of another hoop has a substantially concave configuration. In accordance with the present invention, alternative forms, shapes or configurations for the male end and female end respectively are also contemplated herein.[0015]
• In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, each pre-configured cell has a substantially diamond shape. Other shapes for the pre-configured cell are also contemplated by the present invention, and thus, the pre-configured cell may take the form of any desired shape.[0016]
• Additionally, the stent lattice further comprises a drug coating or a drug and polymer coating combination. In one embodiment according to the present invention the drug is rapamycin. In an alternative embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the drug is paclitaxel. Other drugs and drug polymer combinations are also contemplated by the present invention and examples are provided later in this disclosure.[0017]
• The stent of the present invention is directed toward both a balloon actuated stent and a self-expanding stent. The stent is made of any suitable material. In one embodiment, the stent is made of an alloy such as stainless steel. In another preferred embodiment, the stent is made of a nickel titanium (Nitinol) alloy. Moreover, this material or any other super-elastic alloy is suitable for the stent according to the present invention. In these self-expanding stent embodiments, the stent is a crush recoverable stent.[0018]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to organization and methods of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:[0019]
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a of a stent in a closed-configuration in accordance with the present invention;[0020]
• FIG. 2 is a partial side plan view of the stent of FIG. 1A in the closed configuration in accordance with the present invention;[0021]
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the stent of FIG. 1 in an open configuration in accordance with the present invention;[0022]
• FIG. 4 is a partial side view of the stent of FIG. 1 in the open configuration in accordance with the present invention;[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• In FIGS.[0024]1-4, astent100 that is an expandable prosthesis for a body passageway is illustrated. It should be understood that the terms “stent” and “prosthesis” are interchangeably used to some extent in describing the present invention, insofar as the method, apparatus, and structures of the present invention may be utilized not only in connection with an expandable intraluminal vascular graft for expanding partially occluded segments of a blood vessel, duct or body passageways, such as within an organ, but may so be utilized for many other purposes as an expandable prosthesis for many other types of body passageways. For example, expandable prostheses may also be used for such purposes as: (1) supportive graft placement within blocked arteries opened by transluminal recanalization, but which are likely to collapse in the absence of internal support; (2) similar use following catheter passage through mediastinal and other veins occluded by inoperable cancers; (3) reinforcement of catheter created intrahepatic communications between portal and hepatic veins in patients suffering from portal hypertension; (4) supportive graft placement of narrowing of the esophagus, the intestine, the ureters, the uretha, etc.; (5) intraluminally bypassing a defect such as an aneurysm or blockage within a vessel or organ; and (6) supportive graft reinforcement of reopened and previously obstructed bile ducts. Accordingly, use of the term “prosthesis” encompasses the foregoing usages within various types of body passageways, and the use of the term “intraluminal graft” encompasses use for expanding the lumen of a body passageway. Further in this regard, the term “body passageway” encompasses any lumen or duct within the human body, such as those previously described, as well as any vein, artery, or blood vessel within the human vascular system.
• The[0025]stent100 is an expandable lattice structure made of any suitable material which is compatible with the human body and the bodily fluids (not shown) with which thestent100 may come into contact. The lattice structure is an arrangement of interconnecting elements made of a material which has the requisite strength and elasticity characteristics to permit the tubular shapedstent100 to be moved or expanded from a closed (crimped) position or configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to an expanded or open position or configuration shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Some examples of materials that are used for the fabrication of thestent100 include silver, tantalum, stainless steel, gold, titanium or any type of plastic material having the requisite characteristics previously described. Based on the interlocking design of the stent100 (greater detail provided later in this disclosure), when thestent100 is deployed or expanded to its open position, even materials that tend to recoil to a smaller diameter or exhibit crushing or deformation-like properties are used for thestent100 in accordance with the present invention. These are materials that are not used in traditional (prior art) stent designs. Some examples of these non-traditional stent materials that are used for thestent100 in accordance with the present invention include deformable plastics, plastics that exhibit crushing or recoil upon deployment of the stent or polymers such as biodegradable polymers. Thus, thestent100 in accordance with the present invention is also made of these type of plastics or polymers to include biodegradable polymers. Additionally, the biodegradable polymers used as material for thestent100 can be drug eluting polymers capable of eluting a therapeutic and/or pharmaceutical agent according to any desired release profile.
• In one embodiment, the stent is fabricated from 316L stainless steel alloy. In a preferred embodiment, the[0026]stent100 comprises a superelastic alloy such as nickel titanium (NiTi, e.g., Nitinol). More preferably, thestent100 is formed from an alloy comprising from about 50.5 to 60.0% Ni by atomic weight and the remainder Ti. Even more preferably, thestent100 is formed from an alloy comprising about 55% Ni and about 45% Ti. Thestent100 is preferably designed such that it is superelastic at body temperature, and preferably has an Af temperature in the range from about 24° C. to about 37° C. The superelastic design of thestent100 makes it crush recoverable and thus suitable as a stent or frame for any number of vascular devices for different applications.
• The[0027]stent100 comprises a tubular configuration formed by a lattice of interconnecting elements defining a substantially cylindrical configuration and having front and back open ends102,104 and defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween. In its closed configuration, thestent100 has a first diameter for insertion into a patient and navigation through the vessels and, in its open configuration, a second diameter, as shown in FIG. 3, for deployment into the target area of a vessel with the second diameter being greater than the first diameter. Thestent100 comprises a plurality of adjacent hoops106a-106hextending between the front and back ends102,104. Thestent100 comprises any combination or number of hoops106. The hoops106a-106hinclude a plurality of longitudinally arrangedstruts108 and a plurality ofloops110 connectingadjacent struts108.Adjacent struts108 orloops110 are connected at opposite ends byflexible links114 which can be any pattern such as sinusoidal shape, straight (linear) shape or a substantially S-shaped or Z-shaped pattern. The plurality ofloops110 have a substantially curved configuration.
• The[0028]flexible links114 serve as bridges, which connect adjacent hoops106a-106hat thestruts108 orloops110. Each flexible link comprises two ends wherein one end of eachlink114 is attached to onestrut108 or oneloop110 on onehoop106aand the other end of thelink114 is attached to onestrut108 or oneloop110 on anadjacent hoop106b,etc.
• The above-described geometry better distributes strain throughout the[0029]stent100, prevents metal to metal contact where thestent100 is bent, and minimizes the opening between the features of thestent100; namely, struts108,loops110 andflexible links114. The number of and nature of the design of the struts, loops and flexible links are important design factors when determining the working properties and fatigue life properties of thestent100. It was previously thought that in order to improve the rigidity of the stent, struts should be large, and thus there should befewer struts108 per hoop106a-106h.However, it is now known thatstents100 havingsmaller struts108 andmore struts108 per hoop106a-106himprove the construction of thestent100 and provide greater rigidity. Preferably, each hoop106a-106hhas between twenty-four (24) to thirty-six (36) or more struts108. It has been determined that a stent having a ratio of number of struts per hoop to strut length which is greater than four hundred has increased rigidity over prior art stents which typically have a ratio of under two hundred. The length of a strut is measured in its compressed state (closed configuration) parallel to the longitudinal axis of thestent100 as illustrated in FIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 illustrates the[0030]stent100 in its open or expanded state. As may be seen from a comparison between thestent100 configuration illustrated in FIG. 1 and thestent100 configuration illustrated in FIG. 3, the geometry of thestent100 changes quite significantly as it is deployed from its unexpanded state (closed or crimped configuration/position) to its expanded state (open or expanded configuration/position). As thestent100 undergoes diametric change, the strut angle and strain levels in theloops110 andflexible links114 are affected. Preferably, all of the stent features will strain in a predictable manner so that thestent100 is reliable and uniform in strength. In addition, it is preferable to minimize the maximum strain experienced by thestruts108,loops110 andflexible links114 since Nitinol properties are more generally limited by strain rather than by stress. The embodiment illustrated in FIGS.1-4 has a design to help minimize forces such as strain.
• As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the[0031]stent100, in the closed-configuration (crimped configuration wherein thestent100 is crimped on the stent delivery device such as a catheter), has a plurality ofpre-configured cells120a.Eachpre-configured cell120ais defined by thestruts108 andloops110 connected to each other respectively thereby defining an open area in thestent lattice100. This open area is a space identified as thepre-configured cell120a.
• Each hoop[0032]106a-106hhas one or more (or a plurality of)pre-configured cells120a.In one embodiment according to the present invention, thepre-configured cell120ais a diamond-shaped area or space. However, it is contemplated in accordance with the present invention that thepre-configured cell120atake the form of any desired alternative shape.
• Additionally, the[0033]stent lattice100 also includes at least one (or a plurality of)partial cells120b.Eachpartial cell120bis defined bystruts108 and oneloop110 of the respective hoops106a-106h.In one embodiment according to the present invention, thepartial cell120bdefines a semi-enclosed area or space having an open end in direct communication with aloop110 from an adjacent hoop106a-106h.In this embodiment according to the present invention, theflexible link114 connects adjacent hoops, forexample hoop106btohoop106c,by having one end offlexible link114 connected to an inner surface ofloop110 of apartial cell120bof thehoop106band the opposite end of theflexible link114 connected toloop110 of theadjacent hoop106c.Thus, in this embodiment, theflexible link114 extends from one end of thepartial cell120b,for instance, ofhoop106band extends through the semi-enclosed area of thepartial cell120band is connected toloop110 of theadjacent hoop106c.In this embodiment according to the present invention, theflexible links114 are connected between adjacent hoops106a-106hby extension through thepartial cells120b.Additionally, thepartial cell120bis not only a semi-enclosed area or space defined bystruts108 and oneloop110 of each hoop106, but thepartial cell120bmay take the form of any desired semi-enclosed shape.
• In this embodiment according to the present invention, each[0034]partial cell120bof thestent lattice100 exists while thestent100 is in its crimped state or closed configuration, i.e. crimped to the delivery device such as a catheter.
• Moreover, in one embodiment according to the present invention, each[0035]pre-configured cell120ahas oneloop110 terminating in amale end130 and the other loop defining thepre-configured cell120aterminating in a female and140. Thus, in this embodiment in accordance with the present invention, themale end130 of oneloop110 and thefemale end140 of theother loop110 of thepre-configured cell120aare positioned opposite each other thereby defining opposite ends of thepre-configured cell120a,for example opposite ends of the diamond-shaped area in this embodiment.
• In one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the[0036]male end130 has a substantially convex configuration and thefemale end140 has a substantially concave configuration. In general, thefemale end140 is designed such that it is shaped to receive and mateably connect with themale end130. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the substantially concave surface of thefemale end140 mateably connects with the substantially convex shape of themale end130 when thestent lattice100 is moved to the open configuration or state (deployed or expanded state) such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
• As best illustrated in FIG. 4, when the[0037]stent lattice100 is deployed or expanded to its open position or configuration, themale end130 of theloop110 of one hoop106, for example106b,mateably connects with thefemale end140 of anopposite loop110 of an adjacent hoop, for example106c,thereby forming a locked joint150. Themale end130 and thefemale end140 may take the form of any desired shape or configuration that permits themale end130 to mateably connect with thefemale end140 in order to form the locked joint150. For example, themale end130 and thefemale end140 may be shaped respectively in order to form portions of a dove-tail such that the locked joint150 has or forms a dove-tail configuration. Other shapes for themale end130 andfemale end140 forming the locked joint150 are also contemplated herein.
• Accordingly, when the[0038]stent lattice100 is deployed or expanded to the open position (open configuration of the stent100), adjacent hoops106a-106hinterlock with each other at the newly formedjoints150 mateably connecting adjacent hoops106a-106h.For example, when thestent lattice100 is moved to its open configuration, thehoop106bmateably connects or interlocks with theadjacent hoop106cand thehoop106cinterlocks with theadjacent hoop106d,etc. Thus, the points of interlocking or mateable connection are located at the newly formed locked joint150 between each pair of adjacent hoops106 as shown. Thus, each locked joint150 is formed by at least oneloop110 of one hoop106 (for example106b,wherein themale end130 of thisloop110 mateably connects with thefemale end140 of another loop110), i.e. an adjacent loop on an adjacent hoop106, forexample loop110 on thehoop106cwhich is directly opposed from themale end130 ofloop110 of thehoop106b.Therefore, the adjacent hoops106a-106h,are mateably connected to or locked to each other respectively at each locked joint150 formed in a manner such as described above.
• Upon the mateable connection or linking of the[0039]male end130 to the female end140 (on theloops110 of adjacent hoops106), a formedcell120cis created or formed between adjacent lockedjoints150 form by a pair of interlocking, adjacent hoops106, for example,106aand106b,etc. Each formedcell120cis a fully enclosed area or space defined by thestruts108loops110 and lockedjoints150 formed by the adjacent hoops106, i.e. linking ofhoop106atohoop106b,linking ofhoop106btoadjacent hoop106c,etc. Accordingly, thepartial cell120b(FIG. 2) of thestent lattice100 in its crimped configuration, becomes the formedcell120cwhen linked or coupled by the locked joint150 between adjacent hoops106 as shown in FIG. 4.
• In accordance with the present invention, the[0040]stent100 hasflexible links110 that may be on one or more of the following components of the stent lattice: the hoops106a-106h,theloops110, and/or thestruts108. Moreover, the components of the stent lattice, i.e. hoops, loops, struts and flexible links, have drug coatings or drug and polymer coating combinations that are used to deliver drugs, i.e. therapeutic and/or pharmaceutical agents including: antiproliferative/antimitotic agents including natural products such as vinca alkaloids (i.e. vinblastine, vincristine, and vinorelbine), paclitaxel, epidipodophyllotoxins (i.e. etoposide, teniposide), antibiotics (dactinomycin (actinomycin D) daunorubicin, doxorubicin and idarubicin), anthracyclines, mitoxantrone, bleomycins, plicamycin (mithramycin) and mitomycin, enzymes (L-asparaginase which systemically metabolizes L-asparagine and deprives cells which do not have the capacity to synthesize their own asparagine); antiplatelet agents such as G(GP)II_bIII_ainhibitors and vitronectin receptor antagonists; antiproliferative/antimitotic alkylating agents such as nitrogen mustards (mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide and analogs, melphalan, chlorambucil), ethylenimines and methylmelamines (hexamethylmelamine and thiotepa), alkyl sulfonates-busulfan, nirtosoureas (carmustine (BCNU) and analogs, streptozocin), trazenes-dacarbazinine (DTIC); antiproliferative/antimitotic antimetabolites such as folic acid analogs (methotrexate), pyrimidine analogs (fluorouracil, floxuridine, and cytarabine), purine analogs and related inhibitors (mercaptopurine, thioguanine, pentostatin and 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine {cladribine}); platinum coordination complexes (cisplatin, carboplatin), procarbazine, hydroxyurea, mitotane, aminoglutethimide; hormones (i.e. estrogen); anticoagulants (heparin, synthetic heparin salts and other inhibitors of thrombin); fibrinolytic agents (such as tissue plasminogen activator, streptokinase and urokinase), aspirin, dipyridamole, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, abciximab; antimigratory; antisecretory (breveldin); antiinflammatory: such as adrenocortical steroids (cortisol, cortisone, fludrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, 6α-methylprednisolone, triamcinolone, betamethasone, and dexamethasone), non-steroidal agents (salicylic acid derivatives i.e. aspirin; para-aminophenol derivatives i.e. acetominophen; indole and indene acetic acids (indomethacin, sulindac, and etodalac), heteroaryl acetic acids (tolmetin, diclofenac, and ketorolac), arylpropionic acids (ibuprofen and derivatives), anthranilic acids (mefenamic acid, and meclofenamic acid), enolic acids (piroxicam, tenoxicam, phenylbutazone, and oxyphenthatrazone), nabumetone, gold compounds (auranofin, aurothioglucose, gold sodium thiomalate); immunosuppressives: (cyclosporine, tacrolimus (FK-506), sirolimus (rapamycin), azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil); angiogenic agents: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), erythropoetin,; angiotensin receptor blocker; nitric oxide donors; anti-sense oligionucleotides and combinations thereof, cell cycle inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, and growth factor signal transduction kinase inhibitors. It is important to note that one or more of the lattice components (e.g. hoops, loops, struts and flexible links) are coated with one or more of the drug coatings or drug and polymer coating combinations. Additionally, as mentioned above, thestent100 is alternatively made of a polymer material itself such as a biodegradable material capable of containing and eluting one or more drugs, in any combination, in accordance with a specific or desired drug release profile.
• The method of utilizing the[0041]stent100 according to the present invention includes first identifying a location, for example, a site within the vessel in a patient's body for deployment of thestent100. Upon identifying the desired deployment location, for example a stenotic lesion or vulnerable plaque site, a delivery device, such as a catheter carrying thestent100 crimped to a distal end of the catheter such that thestent100 is in its closed configuration, is inserted within the vessel in the patient's body. The catheter is used to traverse the vessel until reaching the desired location (site) wherein the distal end of the catheter is positioned at the desired location (site), for instance the lesion, within the vessel. At this point, thestent100 is deployed to its open configuration by expanding thestent100 such as by inflation if thestent100 is a balloon expandable stent or by uncovering or release of thestent100 if thestent100 is a self-expanding (crush recoverable) type stent. If a cover is utilized to further protect and secure thestent100 to the catheter distal end when thestent100 is a self-expanding stent, the cover is removed from the distal end of the catheter prior to expansion of thestent100, for instance, through use of an expandable member such as an inflatable balloon.
• Upon expanding the[0042]stent100 to its open configuration, the expandable member (balloon) is then collapsed, for instance through deflation of the expandable member, whereby the catheter is removed from the deployment site of the vessel and patient's body altogether.
• As mentioned previously, the unique design of the[0043]stent100, i.e. the interlocking of adjacent hoops106 upon deployment of thestent100, allows for a wide array of materials, not previously used with prior art stents, to be used with thestent100 in accordance with the present invention. These include materials normally prone to crushing, deformation or recoil upon deployment of the stent. These materials include plastics and polymers to include biodegradable polymers such as drug eluting polymers.
• While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.[0044]

Claims (28)

What is claimed is:

1. A stent comprising:

a lattice of interconnecting elements defining a substantially cylindrical configuration having a first open end and a second open end, the lattice having a closed configuration and an open configuration;

the lattice comprising a plurality of adjacent hoops, each hoop separated from another hoop in the closed configuration and each hoop interlocking with another hoop in the open configuration.

2. The stent according toclaim 1, wherein each hoop comprises a plurality of loops.

3. The stent according toclaim 2, wherein each hoop further comprises a plurality of struts connected to the loops.

4. The stent according toclaim 3, wherein at least one loop of one hoop comprises a male end and at least one loop of another hoop comprises a female end, wherein the male end is separated from the female end when the lattice is in the closed configuration and wherein the male end is mateably connected to the female end when the lattice is in the open configuration.

5. The stent according toclaim 4, wherein the male end of at least one loop of one hoop and the female end of at least one loop of another hoop form a locked joint when the lattice is in the open configuration.

6. The stent according toclaim 5, wherein the lattice further comprises at least one flexible link connected between adjacent hoops.

7. The stent according toclaim 6, wherein the at least one flexible link is connected between the loops of adjacent hoops.

8. The stent according toclaim 4, wherein the plurality of struts and the loops define at least one pre-configured cell.

9. The stent according toclaim 7, wherein the plurality of struts and the loops define at least one pre-configured cell.

10. The stent according toclaim 9, wherein the plurality of struts and the loops define at least one partial cell.

11. The stent according toclaim 10, wherein the partial cell is defined when the lattice is in the closed configuration.

12. The stent according toclaim 7, wherein the plurality of struts and the loops define at least one formed cell.

13. The stent according toclaim 12, wherein the at least one formed cell is defined when the lattice is in the open configuration.

14. The stent according toclaim 4, wherein the male end has a substantially convex configuration.

15. The stent according toclaim 14, wherein the female end has a substantially concave configuration.

16. The stent according toclaim 9, wherein the at least one pre-configured cell has a substantially diamond shape.

17. The stent according toclaim 4, wherein the lattice further comprises a drug coating.

18. The stent according toclaim 4, wherein the lattice further comprises a drug and polymer coating combination.

19. The stent according toclaim 17, wherein the drug is rapamycin.

20. The stent according toclaim 18, wherein the drug is rapamycin.

21. The stent according toclaim 17, wherein the drug is paclitaxel.

22. The stent according toclaim 18, wherein the drug is paclitaxel.

23. The stent according toclaim 4, wherein the stent is made of an alloy.

24. The stent according toclaim 23, wherein the stent is made of stainless steel.

25. The stent according toclaim 4, wherein the stent is crush recoverable.

26. The stent according toclaim 25 wherein the stent is made of nickel titanium (NiTi).

27. The stent according toclaim 23, wherein the stent is made of a super elastic alloy.

28. The stent according toclaim 27, wherein the stent is made of nickel titanium (NiTi).

Images