Appeal 2007-2557
Application 10/094,866
Specifically, each of the segments has a plurality of individual
expansion cells that:
(1) comprise a continuous strand of a material; and
(2) are radially interconnected to form a ring of individual expansion
cells.
More specifically, the individual expansion cells are interconnected to each
other in series by one of a plurality of interconnection bridges.
Each segment is interconnected to an adjacent segment by one of the
plurality of interconnection bridges.
Claim 8 also requires that the continuous strand of material is
deformable such that the ring can be deformed from a first configuration,
wherein each ring has a first circumference and each expansion cell has a
first radial length, to a second configuration, wherein each ring has a second
circumference greater than the first circumference and each expansion cell
has a second radial length greater than the first radial length.
Claim 8 further requires at least one of the plurality of interconnection
bridges to comprise a plurality of narrowings at certain points in the
interconnection bridge that permit the interconnection bridge to have greater
flexibility when bending proximate the plurality of narrowings.
In addition to each individual expansion cell comprising a continuous
strand of material, claim 8 further requires that the continuous strand of
material in each segment is interconnected with itself so as to generally
encompass a radial space within the respective segment.
As I understand claim 8, the stent comprises segments and
interconnection bridges. Each segment comprises a plurality of individual
expansion cells interconnected to each other by interconnection bridges.
27
Page: Previous 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 Next
Last modified: September 9, 2013