Appeal 2007-2331
Application 10/123,883
connecting members connecting the plurality of annular elements,
each connecting member comprising a bend;
the stent having a first segment and a second segment;
wherein the first and second segments have different diameters when
the stent is in the expanded state.
31. A stent having a compressed state and an expanded state, the stent
comprising:
a plurality of annular elements and bent connectors that define a
plurality of apertures;
the stent having a first segment and a second segment;
wherein the first and second segments have different diameters when
the stent is in the expanded state;
wherein all the apertures in the stent have a uniform size when in the
compressed state and the stent has a longitudinal length which remains the
same in both the compressed and expanded states.
The Examiner relies upon the following references:
Alt US 5,843,117 Dec.1, 1998
Savin US 4,950,227 Aug. 21, 1990
We affirm.
BACKGROUND
Angioplasty, according to the Specification, is one of the most
effective means of revascularization of stenosed vessels (Specification 1).
The procedure for intravascular stent placement typically
involves pre-dilation of the target vessel using balloon
angioplasty, followed by deployment of the stent, and
expansion of the stent such that the dilated vessel walls are
supported from the inside.
The intravascular stent functions as scaffolding for the
lumen of a vessel. The scaffolding of the vessel walls by the
stent serve to: (a) prevent elastic recoil of the dilated vessel
wall, (b) eliminate residual stenosis of the vessel; a common
2
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