Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
78 words
An implantable stent prosthesis for delivery of a biologically active material to a body lumen of a patient, wherein the stent comprises: (a) a sidewall having a portion comprising a plurality of struts defining a plurality of openings, each strut having an exterior surface, and (b) at least one channel for containing a biologically active material, wherein the channel is attached to the sidewall and the channel comprises a channel space defined by a single continuous channel wall.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
78 words
An implantable stent prosthesis for delivery of a biologically active material to a body lumen of a patient, wherein the stent comprises: (a) a sidewall having a portion comprising a plurality of struts defining a plurality of openings, each strut having an exterior surface, and (b) at least one channel for containing a biologically active material, wherein the channel is attached to the sidewall and the channel comprises a channel space defined by a single continuous channel wall.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The stent of claim 1 , wherein the stent sidewall has an interior luminal surface and an opposed exterior surface extending along a longitudinal stent axis; and wherein the stent further comprises a stent covering made of a covering material disposed over at least the interior luminal surface or the exterior surface of the stent sidewall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The stent of claim 2 , wherein the covering material is selected from the group consisting of silicones, polyurethanes, thermoplastic elastomers, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, polyolefin elastomers, EPDM rubbers, polytetrafluoroethylene and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The stent of claim 2 , wherein the channel wall is comprised of at least one layer of a channel material and wherein the channel is positioned within the covering.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The stent of claim 4 , wherein the channel material allows controlled release of the biologically active material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The stent of claim 4 , wherein the channel material is selected from the group consisting of poly(L-lactic acid), poly(lactic acid-co-glycotic acid), polyether, polyurethane, and silicone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stent of claim 2 , wherein the channel is positioned within the covering.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stent of claim 7 , wherein the channel is positioned entirely within the covering.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The stent of claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the channel wall comprises a portion of the exterior surface of a strut.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stent of claim 7 , wherein the covering is disposed over the exterior surface of the stent sidewall.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The stent of claim 7 , wherein the covering is disposed over the interior luminal surface of the stent sidewall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The stent of claim 7 , wherein the covering is comprised of two or more layers of covering material and wherein the channel is positioned between two layers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The stent of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the stent sidewall is formed by the channel, and wherein the channel wall is comprised of at least one layer of a channel material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stent of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the struts is fused to the channel wall.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The stent of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the struts is woven with the channel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stent of claim 13 , wherein the struts and channel are covered with a covering material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The stent of claim 13 , wherein the channel material is selected from the group consisting of poly(L-lactic acid), poly(lactic acid-co-glycotic acid), polyether, polyurethane, and silicone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stent of claim 1 , wherein the channel is positioned parallel to a longitudinal axis of the stent.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The stent of claim 1 , wherein the channel is positioned along a circumference of the stent.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The stent of claim 1 , wherein the channel is cylindrical shaped.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stent of claim 1 , wherein the channel has an oblong-shaped cross section.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stent of claim 1 , wherein the channel has a square-shaped cross section.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stent of claim 1 , wherein the channel has a star-shaped cross section.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The stent of claim 1 , wherein the inner diameter of the channel is between about 10 μm and about 1 mm.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The stent of claim 24 , wherein the inner diameter of the channel is between about 50 μm and about 500 μm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stent of claim 1 , wherein the channel has at least one opened end.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The stent of claim 26 , wherein a tube having an end, is positioned in the channel, and wherein the end of the tube protrudes from the opened end of the channel.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for making an implantable stent prosthesis having (1) a sidewall having a portion comprising a plurality of struts defining a plurality of openings, each strut having an exterior surface, and (2) at least one channel for containing a biologically active material, wherein the channel is attached to the sidewall, and the channel comprises a channel space defined by a single continuous channel wall, wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) obtaining the stent covered by a layer of a stent covering material; (b) placing at least one tube or mandrel in contact with the covering material, (c) surrounding the tube or mandrel with the covering material, and (d) forming the channel so that the channel is located within the covering material and the single continuous channel wall surrounds the tube or mandrel, and wherein the channel has two open ends.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
143 words
A method for making an implantable stent prosthesis having (1) a sidewall having a portion comprising a plurality of struts defining a plurality of openings, each strut having an exterior surface, and (2) at least one channel for containing a biologically active material, wherein the channel is attached to the sidewall, and the channel comprises a channel space defined by a single continuous channel wall, wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) obtaining the stent covered by a layer of a stent covering material; (b) placing at least one tube or mandrel in contact with the covering material, (c) surrounding the tube or mandrel with the covering material, and (d) forming the channel so that the channel is located within the covering material and the single continuous channel wall surrounds the tube or mandrel, and wherein the channel has two open ends.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the channel is formed by exposing the covering material to a treatment selected from the group consisting of heat treatment, chemical treatment and treatment with an adhesive.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 29 , wherein the biologically active material is introduced into the channel by migration of the biologically active material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the channel is located entirely within the covering material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 28 , which further comprises sealing one of the open ends of the channel by exposing the end to a treatment selected from the group consisting of heat treatment, chemical treatment and treatment with an adhesive.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 28 , which further comprises the steps of: (e) removing the tube or mandrel from the channel; and (f) introducing a biologically active material into the channel.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 33 , which further comprises the step of sealing at least open end of the channel by exposing the end to a treatment selected from the group consisting of heat treatment, chemical treatment and treatment with an adhesive.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the tube is hollow and is placed in contact with the covering material in a manner such that an end of the tube protrudes from one of the open ends of the channel, and the biologically active material is introduced into the channel by injection of the biologically active material into the protruding end of the hollow tube.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein the biologically active material is introduced into the channel by diffusion of the biologically active material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 28 , which further comprises covering the tube or mandrel with a channel material before placing the tube or mandrel in contact with the covering material.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 28 wherein the covering material is selected from the group consisting of silicones, polyurethanes, thermoplastic elastomers, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, polyolefin elastomers, EPDM rubbers, polytetrafluoroethylene and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 28 , wherein the mandrel is comprised of a biologically active material.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of treating an afflicted area of a surface of a body lumen comprising: (a) implanting into the body lumen a stent prosthesis having (1) a sidewall having a portion comprising a plurality of struts defining a plurality of openings, each strut having an exterior surface, and (2) at least one channel attached to the sidewall, wherein the channel comprises a channel space defined by a single continuous channel wall, and the channel contains a biologically active material; and (b) delivering the biologically active material to an afflicted area.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of treating an afflicted area of a surface of a body lumen comprising: (a) implanting into the body lumen a stent prosthesis having (1) a sidewall having a portion comprising a plurality of struts defining a plurality of openings, each strut having an exterior surface, and (2) at least one channel attached to the sidewall, wherein the channel comprises a channel space defined by a single continuous channel wall, and the channel contains a biologically active material; and (b) delivering the biologically active material to an afflicted area.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the biologically active material is delivered by squeezing the biologically active material out of the channel.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the biologically active material is delivered by allowing the biologically active material to diffuse out of the channel.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 40 wherein the biologically active material is delivered by allowing the biologically active material to migrate out of the channel.