Patent attributes
An automatically controlled expansion stent having an expansible stent body, actuation means for expanding the stent body, and control means for actively controlling the actuation means. The stent body is substantially tubular and includes material layers covering a plurality of radial expansion trusses. The stent employs MEMS motors under the control of a programmable logic device to expand the trusses and the stent body. Force from the motor is communicated to the expansion trusses through interconnects, which pivotally connect the trusses and provide channels for pull wires extending from the motors to the trusses. The trusses comprise a plurality of hinged links which produce symmetrical expansion of the stent body when actuated by the MEMS motor.
