TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure pertains to medical devices, methods for manufacturing medical devices, and uses thereof. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to a stent for implantation in a body lumen, and associated methods.

BACKGROUND

A wide variety of intracorporeal medical devices have been developed for medical use, for example, surgical and/or intravascular use. Some of these devices include guidewires, catheters, medical device delivery systems (e.g., for stents, grafts, replacement valves, etc.), and the like. These devices are manufactured by any one of a variety of different manufacturing methods and may be used according to any one of a variety of methods.

SUMMARY

This disclosure provides design, material, manufacturing method, and use alternatives for medical devices. An example medical device may include a stent.

In a first example, a stent may comprise an elongated tubular member comprising at least one knitted filament having a plurality of twisted knit stitches with intermediate rung portions extending between adjacent twisted knit stitches, the elongated tubular member configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In in the collapsed configuration the plurality of twisted knit stitches have a first profile and in the expanded configuration the plurality of twisted knit stitches have a second profile different from the first profile.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, a length of the intermediate rung portions in the collapsed configuration may be less than a length of the intermediate rung portions in the expanded configuration.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, at least some of the plurality of twisted knit stitches may be suspended from a twisted knit stitch in a preceding row.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the plurality of twisted knit stitches may each include a loop portion and an overlapping base region.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, at least some of the plurality of twisted knit stitches may be suspended from an intermediate rung portion of a preceding row.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the elongated tubular member may comprise a plurality of rows, wherein some of the plurality of rows have a first number of twisted knit stitches and some of the plurality of rows may have a second number of twisted knit stitches less than the first number of twisted knit stitches.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the elongated tubular member may have at least a first portion and a second portion, the second portion may have a lower radial force in the expanded configuration than the first portion.

In another example, a stent may comprise an elongated tubular member comprising a plurality of longitudinal filaments extending generally along a longitudinal axis of the elongated tubular member, a first helical filament extending in a first helical direction, and a second helical filament extending in a second helical direction opposite to the first helical direction, the plurality of longitudinal filaments, first helical filament, and second helical filament overlapping to form a plurality of cell. The longitudinal filaments are intermittently helically wrapped with one of the first or second helical filaments to form a plurality of interlocking joints, the interlocking joints extending at a non-parallel angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated tubular member.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the plurality of cells may have a generally hexagonal shape having six sides defined by a length.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the interlocking joints may be positioned between adjacent sides of the cell.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the first helical filament and the second helical filament may cross at one or more cross points.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the one or more cross points may be free from an interlocking joint.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the longitudinal filaments may be uniformly spaced about a circumference of the elongated tubular body.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the longitudinal filaments may be unequally spaced about a circumference of the elongated tubular body.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the interlocking joints may extend at an angle in the range of 40° to about 50° relative to the longitudinal axis of the elongated tubular member.

In another example, a stent may comprise an elongated tubular member comprising a plurality of knitted rows, each row including a plurality of loops having a loop portion and a twisted base portion with intermediate rung portions extending between adjacent loops, the elongated tubular member configured to move between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. At least some of the plurality of loops may be configured to be suspended from the twisted base portion of a loop in a preceding row.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, a length of the intermediate rung portions in the collapsed configuration may be less than a length of the intermediate rung portions in the expanded configuration.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, the elongated tubular member may have at least a first portion and a second portion, the second portion may have a lower radial force in the expanded configuration than the first portion.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, at least some of the plurality of loops may be suspended from an intermediate rung portion of a preceding row.

Alternatively or additionally to any of the examples above, in another example, some of the plurality of rows may have a first number of loops and some of the plurality of rows may have a second number of loops less than the first number of loops.

The above summary of some embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

