Patent attributes
Stent embodiments formed of a scaffolding structure are disclosed. Some embodiments may include a valve. A portion of the scaffolding structure may include a lattice structure formed by a plurality of interconnected arms arranged to form quadrilateral-shaped cells, such as diamond-shaped cells. The scaffolding structure may be formed by rows of strut arms arranged as annular segments and adjacent annular segments interconnected by connectors that extend in the longitudinal direction. The scaffolding structure may also be formed by rows of strut arms arranged in a helical pattern. The scaffolding structure has components configured to allow at least a portion of the stent to decrease in diameter in response to an axial force applied to the stent. Further, the components and elements of the stent may be configured to balance transverse forces applied to the stent, thus reducing the incidence of infolding.
