CPC A61F 2/89 (2013.01) [A61F 2/2418 (2013.01); A61F 2002/825 (2013.01); A61F 2210/0014 (2013.01); A61F 2250/001 (2013.01); A61F 2250/0082 (2013.01)] | 34 Claims |
1. A growth adaptive expandable stent for use in a heart valve device at a site, the expandable stent comprising: a stent structure having a cylindrical shape that is self-expanding in a radial direction, the stent structure having a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a central portion and comprising a plurality of cylindrical rings disposed along a longitudinal axis of the stent structure, each cylindrical ring of the plurality of cylindrical rings having a plurality of interconnected struts; the stent structure configured to exert a chronic outward radial force over time when implanted and in contact with the site such that an outer diameter of the stent structure expands by undergoing elastic deformation from an implanted and expanded initial diameter after delivery and implantation to a fully expanded diameter also in contact with the site that is at least 1.5 times the implanted and expanded initial diameter after implantation as the site grows,
wherein the stent structure undergoes the elastic deformation when the stent structure passively expands from the implanted and expanded initial diameter after delivery and implantation to the fully expanded diameter also in contact with the site.
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