Appeal 2007-2557
Application 10/094,866
Therefore, each individual expansion cell within each segment comprises a
continuous strand of material that is interconnected to itself to generally
encompasses a radial space within the segment. Interconnection bridges are
used to connect each individual expansion cell to another within each
segment and to adjacent segments. The continuous strand of material is
deformable to allow individual expansion cells to exhibit two configurations,
wherein the circumference of the second “expanded” configuration is greater
than that of the first configuration. In addition, the claim requires that at
least one of the interconnection bridges comprises a plurality of narrowings
at certain points in the interconnection bridge to permit the interconnection
bridge to have greater flexibility when bending proximate the plurality of
narrowings.
Ley teaches a stent that “is made up of a series of curvilinear
expansion cell elements generally indicated at 12 (see darkened example in
FIG. 3 for clarity) having relatively wide end portions 14 joined by relatively
narrow center portions 16” (Ley, col. 2, ll. 35-39, emphasis removed). Ley
teaches that the cells are arranged longitudinally and in substantially parallel
rows (Ley, col. 2, ll. 39-42 and FIG. 1). These expansion cells (e.g., element
12 in Ley’s FIG. 3) are equivalent to Appellant’s individual expansion cells.
Ley also teaches support members which can be viewed as equivalent
to Appellant’s interconnection bridges. Specifically, Ley teaches
[a] plurality of longitudinally extending elongate support
members 18 are included, one each being disposed between
adjacent rows of cells 12. Also, a plurality of circumferentially
extending support members 19, preferably substantially normal
to support members 18 are also positioned between the rows of
cells 12 to intersect portions of the support members 18 and to
28
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Last modified: September 9, 2013