EXPANDABLE STENT AND METHODS OF CRIMPING AND EXPANDING SUCH STENT

An expandable stent (10) comprises a cylindrical wall made up of lattice members (12) connected to each other, at least one first arm (14) and at least one second arm (15). The first arm comprises: a first non-linear member (16) that is connected at each of its axial ends to a lattice member at respective first junctions; a second non-linear member (18) connected at each axial end to a lattice member; and at least one bridge member (20) extending between the first member and the second member. The second arm comprises: a first non- linear member that is connected at each of its axial ends to a lattice member; a second non-linear member connected at each axial end to a lattice member; and at least one bridge member extending between the first member and the second member. The second member of the first arm is generally U-shaped, extending from its axial ends towards: (i) a first axial end of the stent; and (ii) towards the bridge of the first arm. The second member of the second arm is generally U- shaped, extending from its axial ends towards: (i) a first axial end of the stent; and (ii) towards the bridge of the second arm. The first arm is disposed at a second axial end of the stent, and the second arm is: (i) axially spaced from the first arm towards the first axial end of the stent; and (ii) axially aligned with the first arm. Furthermore, the first member and the second member of each of the first and second arms are connected to lattice members at their axial ends only. Upon radial expansion of the stent from a radially crimped condition under the influence of an external force, tension in: (i) the bridge of the first arm; and (ii) the bridge member of the second arm, causes the second members of both the first and second arms to protrude radially outwards, respectively. Stent extensible (10) comprenant une paroi cylindrique constituée d'éléments de treillis (12) reliés les uns aux autres, au moins un premier bras (14) et au moins un second bras (15). Le premier bras comprend : un premier élément non linéaire (16) qui est relié par chacune de ses extrémités axiales à un élément de treillis au niveau de premières jonctions respectives; un second élément non linéaire (18) relié par chaque extrémité axiale à un élément de treillis; et au moins un élément de pont (20) s'étendant entre le premier élément et le second élément. Le second bras comprend : un premier élément non linéaire qui est relié par chacune de ses extrémités axiales à un élément de treil