Venous and Arterial Application of an Increased Volumetric Flow Stent & Matching Balloon

Abstract

The invention includes an expandable stent having a tubular shape when expanded, the shape including a portion t where the stent radius grows with stent length so that the growth in the portion is constant conductance growth or near-constant conductance growth. The invention includes sheaths that will encase the stent to restrict the growth of the stent to the desired expanded shape. The invention also includes expandable stent balloons that expand the stent to the desired shape configuration with constant or near constant conductance portion. The balloons can include a similar sheath or sleeve to restrict the balloon's growth to the desired shape. The stent radius growth can be piecewise, and is not necessarily 4.sup.th order growth, but can be such that r.sup.n/l is a constant in the portion, where n>4.

Claims

1. An expandable stent of length L comprising a structure having a tubular shape when expanded, where the expanded shape includes a radius rat each point l of a length the stent, such that when expanded, the stent has a portion where the radius r at each point l of the length of the stent in the portion, is such that r.sup.n/l is a constant at leach point in the portion, where n≥4.0, where the length l is measured from a beginning of the stent.

2. The expandable stent of claim 1 where the portion terminates at an end of the stent.

3. The expandable stent of claim 1 where the portion begins after a beginning end of the stent and ends before a termination of the stent.

4. The expandable stent of claim 1 where the stents are self-expanding.

5. The expandable stent of claim 1 where the stents are balloon expanded.

6. The expandable stent of claim 5 further comprising a non-elastic sleeve surrounding an exterior of the stent, where the sleeve forms the expanded shape of the stent, including the shape of the portion.

7. A stent balloon comprising a balloon having a shape when expanded, the shape having a radius r at each point l of a length of the expanded balloon, such that when expanded, the balloon has a portion where the radius r at each point l of the length in the portion, is such that r.sup.n/l is a constant at leach point in the portion, where n≥4.0.

8. An expandable sleeve system further comprising a tubular shaped non-elastic sleeve, the sleeve having a radius r at each point of a length l of the sleeve, and the shape further comprising a portion where r.sup.n/l is a constant is that portion, where n≥4.0.

9. The expandable sleeve system of claim 8 further comprising an expandable stent, where the sleeve is positioned on an exterior of the stent, and the sleeve system configured so that when the stent is expanded, it assumes the shape of the sleeve.

10. The expandable sleeve system of claim 8 further comprising an expandable balloon, the sleeve positioned on an exterior of the balloon and the sleeve system is configured so that when the balloon is expanded, the balloon assumes the shape of the sleeve.

11. An expandable stent comprising a series of stent segments Si, each segment Si having a radius at each point of a length of the segment Si, where L is measured from a beginning of the expandable stent, each segment having a starting radius and an ending radius such that r.sup.n/l is constant, n>4, and where the stent segments radius between the starting and ending segment radius grows with length of the expandable stent, where the growth is not R4.

12. The expandable stent of claim 11 where the growth is linear.

13. A method of stenting an occlusion in a vein comprising the step of positioning a unitary balloon adjacent the occlusion, where the unitary balloon comprises a tubular shape when expanded having a radius at each point of a length of the unitary balloon, the shape comprising a portion wherein r.sup.n/l is constant, where n≥4, the portion is positioned adjacent the occlusion so that the largest radius of the portion, when expanded, is positioned downstream in the vein, and then the step of expanding the unitary balloon; and then the step of collapsing the unitary balloon followed by the step of withdrawing the collapsed unitary balloon, followed by the step of positioning an expandable stent in the vein, the stent, when expanded having a tubular shape having a radius at each point of a length of the stent, the shape further comprising a unitary like portion wherein r.sup.n/l is constant, where the stent is positioned so that the unitary like porting is positioned adjacent the occlusion, and then the step of expanding the stent.

14. The expandable stent of claim 11 where each portion Si comprises a Z stent.

15. The expandable stent of claim 1 further having a second portion, where r.sup.n/l is a constant, where m≥4.

16. The expandable stent of claim 1 wherein n is a polynomial of degree≥4, such that the growth of the stent radius with length is monotonic.

17. The expandable stent of claim 1 having an initial portion at a beginning of the stent, where r is constant over the initial portion.

18. The expandable stent of claim 1 having a terminating portion ending at an end of the stent where r is constant over the terminating portion.

19. The expanding stent stack comprising at a series of expandable stents, configured to overlap to form a long stent, formed of overlapping adjacent stents, each stent in the stack when expanded forming a tubular shape having a radius at each point l of a length of each respective stent, the radius of each adjacent stent in the overlapped region matching when expanded, the stent stack configured to have a portion where the radius in that portion grows with length, measured from a start of the stent stack, where fluid in that portion, when flowing, is constant conductance flow or near constant conductance flow.

20. An expandable stent of length L comprising a structure having a tubular shape when expanded, where the expanded shape includes a radius r at each point of a length l of the stent, such that when expanded, the stent has a portion where the radius prow with stent length so that the growth of is constant conductance growth or near constant conductance growth.

21. The expandable stent of claim 1 where the portion begins at the beginning end of the stent and the length at the stent beginning is a determined L.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of a 1 cm unitary stent with the relevant flow equations showing flow through this embodiment.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a graph showing decline in flow with length through conduits of uniform diameter

[0008] FIG. 3A shows one embodiment of the invention with a 20 cm length and a starting diameter of 1.13 cm.

[0009] FIG. 3B is a graph of diameter versus flow through the unitary stent of FIG. 3A.

[0010] FIG. 4A-1 is a side perspective view of a constant conductance flow stent of length 16.0 cm with initial diameter of 10 mm, indicating the radius of the stent at 1 cm intervals along the stent.

[0011] FIG. 4A-2 is a side perspective view of a constant conductance flow stent of length 15.0 cm with initial diameter of 10 mm, indicating the radius of the stent at 1 cm intervals along the stent.

[0012] FIG. 4B-1 is a side perspective view of a constant conductance flow stent of length 16.0 cm with initial diameter of 12 mm, indicating the radius of the stent at 1 cm intervals along the stent.

[0013] FIG. 4B-2 is a side perspective view of a constant conductance flow stent of length 15.0 cm with initial diameter of 12 mm, indicating the radius of the stent at 1 cm intervals along the stent.

[0014] FIG. 5A is table for a constant conductance flow stent of starting diameter 1 cm, showing the change of radius with length L of the stent and showing the constant geometric factor of R.sup.4/L along the length L of the stent.

[0015] FIG. 5B is table for a constant conductance flow stent of starting diameter 1.2 cm, showing the change of radius with length L of the stent and showing the constant geometric factor of R.sup.4/L along the length L of the stent.

[0016] FIG. 6A-1 is an excel spread sheet for a constant conductance flow stent of initial radius 0.5 mm (diameter of 1 mm) depicting the variation in radius and diameter in 1 cm intervals and showing the constant geometric factor.

[0017] FIG. 6A-2 is an excel spread sheet for a constant conductance flow stent of initial radius of 1 mm (diameter of 2 mm) depicting the variation in radius and diameter in 1 cm intervals and showing the constant geometric factor.

[0018] FIG. 6A-3 is an excel spread sheet for a constant conductance flow stent of initial radius of 2 mm (diameter of 4 mm) depicting the variation in radius and diameter in 1 cm intervals and showing the constant geometric factor.

[0019] FIG. 6A-4 is an excel spread sheet for a constant conductance flow stent of initial radius of 4 mm (diameter of 8 mm) depicting the variation in radius and diameter in 1 cm intervals and showing the constant geometric factor.

[0020] FIG. 6A-5 is an excel spread sheet for a constant conductance flow stent of initial radius of 16 mm (diameter of 32 mm) depicting the variation in radius and diameter in 1 cm intervals and showing the constant geometric factor.

[0021] FIG. 7A is a side perspective view of a constant conductance flow stent with initial diameter of 10 mm. with a length of 16 cm.

[0022] FIG. 7B shows a constant conductance flow balloon where a 16 cm portion of the balloon matches the constant conductance flow stent characteristics of the stent of FIG. 7A.

[0023] FIG. 7C-1 shows a side perspective view of an 8 cm long constant conductance flow stent of initial diameter of 10 mm.

[0024] FIG. 7C-2 shows a side perspective view of a 7 cm long constant conductance flow stent of initial diameter of 32 mm.

[0025] FIG. 7D-1 shows a perspective view of a constant conductance flow balloon that has a portion matching the characteristics of the stent of FIG. 7C-1.

[0026] FIG. 7D-2 shows a perspective view of a constant conductance flow balloon that has a portion matching the characteristics of the stent of FIG. 7C-2.

[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of two stents to be inserted in line with a 2 cm overlap. The characteristics of these two stents are indicated.

[0028] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of two constant conductance flow balloons to be used with the constant conductance flow stents of FIG. 8. The intended overlap of the balloons when used in sequence is shown.

[0029] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of three stents to be inserted in line with a respective 2 cm overlap between adjacent stents. The characteristics of these three stents are indicated.

[0030] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of three constant conductance flow balloons to be used with the constant conductance flow stents of FIG. 10. The intended overlap of the balloons when used in sequence is shown.

[0031] FIG. 12-1 shows a perspective view of a near constant conductance flow segmented stent built using five Z stents. Each Z stent segment is 1 cm long. The initial and ending diameter of each segment are a diameter that would be appropriate for a constant conductance flow stent over that 1 cm segment, where the radius of the initial segment is 0.845 cm. The growth of each Z stent segment is not necessarily “constant conductance,” but can be linear as is shown.

[0032] FIG. 12-2 shows a constant flow-like segmented stent built using five Z stents. Each Z stent segment is 1 cm long. The initial and ending diameter of each segment are a diameter that would be appropriate for a constant conductance flow stent over that 1 cm segment, where the radius of the initial segment is 0.672 cm.

[0033] FIG. 12-3 shows a near constant conductance like segmented stent built using five Z stents. Each Z stent segment is 1 cm long. The initial and ending diameter of each segment are a diameter that would be appropriate for a constant conductance flow stent over that 1 cm segment, where the radius of the initial segment is 0.351 cm.

[0034] FIG. 13 is an illustration of a side view of one experimental system used to test the output of an expanding conduit.

[0035] FIG. 14A is a set of bar graphs comparing flow rates of constant radius flow versus constant conductance flow through grafts of various diameters and length 160 mm where the initial pressure was 10 mmHg in the experimental setup of FIG. 13.

[0036] FIG. 14B is a set of bar graphs comparing flow rates of constant radius flow versus constant conductance flow through grafts of various diameters and length 160 mm where the initial pressure was 25 mmHg in experimental setup of FIG. 13.

[0037] FIG. 15A is a set of bar graphs comparing flow of constant radius flow versus R.sup.4/L, R.sup.5/L and R.sup.6/L flow through grafts of various diameters and length of 310 mm with and without an air trap where the initial pressure was 10 mmHg in the setup of FIG. 13.

[0038] FIG. 15B is a set of bar graphs comparing flow of constant radius flow versus R.sup.4/L, R.sup.5/L and R.sup.6/L flow through grafts of various diameters and length of 620 mm where the initial pressure was 10 mmHg in the setup of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0039] Venous system blood flow is normally modeled with Poiseuille law, and hydrodynamic relationships, including the expression between flow, pressure and resistance. The unitary conduit, or increased flow conduit, or constant conductance flow conduit concept described here and in FIG. 1 is particularly important in venous flow where pressure heads are very low. In certain arterial stenosis that are multiple or diffuse, the unitary conduit principles may be important as well. In small conduits such as coronaries, and small veins, thrombosis of the stem is a risk if flow falls below a certain critical level. The unitary or constant conductance flow conduit may perform better under these conditions. The relevant flow equations are as follows:

[0040] Poiseuille equation, Volumetric Fluid flow, Q=ΔP/R where I/R is known as the conductance

[0041] and where R=8 μL/πr.sup.4 and where μ is the fluid viscosity

[0042] Rearranging, and combining the two equations

Q=ΔP*(π/8)*(r.sup.4/L)*(1/μ).

where L represents the length of the cylinder (stent) (measured from the start of the stent), the last three terms represent the numeric, geometric or growth and viscosity factors respectively. Q, or volumetric fluid flow (m.sup.3/sec) or flow, in the venous system, is generally measured in ml/sec or liters/min. In low pressure areas of the arterial system, these relationships can also be used for modeling flow. For instance, we constructed a “unitary” conduit with an initial diameter of 11.2 mm with an initial section of 1 cm of constant radius and expanding to an end diameter of 17.7 mm at a length of 6 cm. The radius expanded with length l so that r.sup.4/l=(0.56).sup.4. We compared fluid flow through the unitary conduit to a second uniform diameter or non-unitary conduit. A total of 4.5 liters was run through each conduit with a head pressure of 25 mm Hg. The time taken to empty the 4.5 l from the reservoir is shown in Table 1 below.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Non-Unitary Uniform Conduit Unitary Conduit Trial Time (seconds) Trial Time (seconds) 1 64 1 43 2 64 2 41 3 66 3 44 4 68 4 45 5 68 5 45 Average Time 66 Average Time 43.6 Average Flowrate 68 mL/sec Average Flowrate 103 mL/sec

[0043] Thus, the flow rate for the increased flow or unitary conduit was 103 mL/sec and was 68 mL/sec (averaged) for the non-unitary or uniform conduit (constant diameter). As can be seen, errors in the stent radius can have significant consequences on blood flow.

[0044] The flow equations can be simplified further by inserting known values for π and μ (the viscosity of blood). As shown in FIG. 1, for a unitary conduit 300 of 1 cm in length with a diameter of 11.3 mm, the formula further reduces to: Q=ΔP*l=ΔP. Such a “unitary conduit' ” will have a constant conductance of exactly 1, allowing flow to be directly proportional to the pressure head. However, if the conduit is extended beyond 1 cm, (with constant radius), the flow will decline, as increasing length in the denominator will reduce conductance and flow will be reduced under a constant pressure head (see FIG. 2). This reduction in flow can be partially compensated for by increasing the radius slightly with the length (that is, r is a function of L and is not constant), to maintain a constant geometric factor r.sup.4/L, and hence, constant conductance. In the constant conductance section, the flow is directly proportional to the pressure head ΔP. A relatively small increase in radius with length is needed as conduit radius (r) enters the equation in the fourth power in the numerator, while the length (L) is the denominator in the first power. See FIG. 3A. A conduit or stent that expands the radius with length so that r.sup.4/L remains constant is called a “unitary” or constant conductance flow stent, herein, having increased flow characteristics. As shown in FIG. 3B, the flow in a constant conductance stent is almost constant. For this reason, a constant conductance stent may be referred to as a constant flow stent herein. The concept is to keep the conductance or flow constant in the stent, which can be achieved by maintaining the geometric factor (r.sup.4/L) a constant value K in the stent. In these instance, the radius grows with the length of the stent, and as used herein R4 growth means r=K*(.sup.4√L), or (r.sup.4/L=k., where K is a constant. All examples used herein will have the stent grow after the first 1 cm of length, where the first cm preferably has a constant radius, thus avoiding the ambiguity of examining r.sup.4/L as L.fwdarw.0. In reality, a graft starts in an existing conduit. That implies that the initial conduit combination can be viewed as a single conduit. To determine the “effective length” of that portion of the conduit before the onset of the graft, we have L.sub.eft=ΔPr.sup.4*π)/(Q*8*μ). Consequently, the combined “conduit” at the beginning of the stent has a length, and the length of the “stent” will never be zero. Use of a 1 cm starting length is arbitrary. but not unreasonable, as L.sub.eft should be small. Indeed, L.sub.eff can be estimated using r as the stent radius, the measured Q (such as estimated from doppler sonar), and ΔP, within biological systems other than arterial, should be small, so L.sub.eff will not be very large. Hence, using a 1 cm constant diameter starting stent is not unreasonable, as it unlikely changes L.sub.eff significantly. Alternatively. the diameter for a specific length to start R4 growth can be chosen, as well as the stent starting diameter. for R4 growth after the specific length, and then providing for a smooth transition from the starting radius to the radius at the start of R4 growth (such as a linear transition) can be selected

[0045] The preferred constant value will be ri.sup.4/(L.sub.eff) where r.sub.i is the starting radius of the unitary section near the beginning of the stent. L.sub.eff is described above., or as used herein, is set as 1 cm. If the expanding portion of the stent starts at length LSO, with radius ri at this length, the constant K will he ri.sup.4/(LSO). A conduit extending from the common femoral vein to the inferior vena cava was modeled in FIGS. 4A and 4B. It would have a continuously gradually increasing radius (r) to maintain the conductance constant. In FIGS. 4A and 4B, two lengths are depicted, 15 and 16 cm, each for two starting diameters at 10 mm (FIG. 4A) and 12 mm (FIG. 4B) respectively. FIG. 5 is a unitary or constant conductance diameter Table for two starting diameters (10 and 12 mm). starting at station #0, the start of the conduit, and increasing in length at 1 cm intervals while progressively increasing in diameter after station 1 (i.e., a constant starting diameter of 1 cm), keeping r.sup.4/l constant=(starting diameter/2).sup.4/l. Additional tables with different starting diameters and lengths can be constructed using the calculation method described.

[0046] FIG. 6A-1 through 6A-5 are Excel spreadsheets showing dimensions for smaller sized conduit diameters (starting diameters 12, 4, 8. 16, 32 mm) with stent ending radius depicted for “unitary” or constant conductance conduits for various lengths (for instance, 1 cm to 30 cm length). Similarly, FIG. 5A shows similar results for conduits starting at 1 cm diameter and the corresponding ending radius for various length conduits (I to 20 cm). The concept is useful in constructing stents of various diameters and lengths that grow in diameter with length. These tables can be used not only for designing “unitary” or constant conductance flow or increased flow stents but also for designing/constricting “unitary” balloons of the same diameter/length proportions where balloon expansion is not uniform, but expands non-uniformly, to approximate the unitary stent to be deployed, to match the balloon with the stent. To accomplish this, the balloon thickness can be varied, and/or the balloon materials can be varied with length. Alternatively, the balloon can be encased in a non-elastic unity shaped sleeve, so that when the balloon is expanded, it is restrained by the sleeve into the desired unitary form. Additionally, a non-uniform expanding balloon, such as a “unitary balloon” can be used for angioplasty without stenting, or for pre-dilatation of a stenosis before deploying a unitary or constant conductance stent 100 such as the stents 100. 101, 102 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7C-1 to 7C-2, and the corresponding balloons 200, 201 202 shown in FIGS. 7B and 7D-1 to 7D-2. The balloon of corresponding size can be used for deploying balloon expandable stents as well. Under dilatation and over dilatation of a unitary stent is possible by employing slightly smaller or larger balloons or sleeves chosen, using the tables shown, or as calculated.

[0047] When shorter length balloons and stents are used, there should be some provision for overlap if the segment to be treated is longer than the length of a chosen balloon or stent. For instance, a 2.0 cm length stent overlap is shown in the FIGS. 8 and 10, with the corresponding balloons shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. Longer or shorter overlaps can be chosen according to the tables and spreadsheets. FIGS. 10 and 11 show a similar depiction for three overlapping stents 105,103,104 and overlapping balloons, 205,203,204 with 2 cm of overlap at each overlapping position. For the overlapped stent, it would start of length Le-2 where Le is the ending length of the first stent. The initial stent would have a radius R1 at this point that matches the first stent radius at Le-2. Hence the overlapped stent would have an initial radius of R1 and expand at R4 from this point (assuming the initial stent was R4 growth to its end), where L in the second stent is measured from the start of the first stent (as the overlapped stents emulate a single long stent). The radius in the second stent expands so that r.sup.4/l=constant=(RI).sup.4/(Le-2) where l is measured for the start of the first stent. This provides for continuous R4 growth for stacked stents. Note. if a stent has a second expanding portion starting at length le (measured from the stent start) with radius re, with growth factor RM, the constant in that portion will be (re).sup.m/le.

[0048] The R4 geometric scaling factor can be illustrated in the following example: a parent vein receiving two tributaries, each 10 mm in diameter, will need to be only 12 mm in diameter (20% larger than each tributary) to maintain pressure unchanged even though the flow has doubled (FIG. 7). Zamir has calculated that doubling the radius of the conduit will reduce the energy needed to pump the same amount of fluid by 94% i.e., a mere 6% of the prior energy will do the same job. The venous system naturally grows as it gets closer to the heart.

Design and Use of Unitary or Constant Conductance Flow Stent Concept

[0049] The unitary or constant conductance flow stent concept is applicable in the venous system, and in some circumstances, the arterial system. The concept is to keep the conductance or flow constant in the stent, or portions of the stent, which can be achieved by maintaining the geometric factor (r.sup.4/L) as a constant K in the growth portion of the stent. All examples used herein will have the stent grow after the first cm of length, with constant radius for that first cm, thus avoiding the ambiguity of examining r.sup.4/L as L.fwdarw.0.

[0050] As an example, consider a stent having a diameter of 18 mm (9 mm radius) (a common stent diameter used in the common iliac vein) at the end of a 1 cm length of constant radius, then r.sup.4/L=(1.8/2).sup.4/l=0.6561, the constant K used for the remainder of this stent. Consequently, for a 2 cm long stent, the terminating radius would be (0.6561*2) .sup.025=1.070 or a diameter of 2.14 mm. A 3 cm long stent would have a terminating radius of (0.6561*3)−.sup.025=1.18, or diameter of 2.36 mm; a 4 cm long stent would have radius of 12.7 mm, or a diameter of 25.4 mm; and for a stent length of 5 cm, the terminating radius would be 13.45 mm, or a diameter of 25.7 mm (an overall increase in cross-sectional area of about 123.3% (1.34/0.9)**2 (the iliac vein has been shown to tolerate as large as 24 mm diameter stent sizes).

[0051] As used, the “downstream” end of the constant conductance flow stent is larger. In the venous system, “downstream” is closer to the heart than the upstream end of the stent. This increase in diameter with length will assist to help offset flow reduction in the stent, to prevent stent malfunctions like in-stent restenosis caused by ingrowth of clot/tissue which accumulates and lines the wall of the stent. We have calculated the length necessary for various diameters in stents up to 5 cm length, in Table 2 for typical diameter stents used in the iliac system. The first cm in length is of constant diameter.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Stent length 1 cm 2 cm 3 cm 4 cm 5 cm CIV 16 19 21 22.6 23.9 EIV 14 16.6 18.4 19.8 20.9 CFV 12 14.3 15.8 17 17.9 stent diameter in mm

[0052] As described, for a lengthwise cross section though a stent, the outer envelope preferably creases as a 4.sup.the order polynomial, or r.sup.4 with length. Such an increase is not required but is preferred. Slower growth and slower flows, achieved with r.sup.5/l, r.sup.6/l or r.sup.7/l being constant with length can also provide benefits similar to constant conductance flow. Faster growth, and faster flow, such a linear growth, or growth by x.sup.2 or x.sup.3 or a combination such as a second order polynomial or a third order polynomial can also provide a benefit, as flow is further increased with R1, R2 or R3 growth, which can be useful in areas of the stent where restenosis or growth might accumulate from deposits with slower flow.

Stent Growth with Length

[0053] As long as the stent radius grows with length over portions of the stent (preferably consistent growth over each portion and preferably monotonic growth overall in the stent), such increased RN growth e.g., 1<n<4, or n>4, is considered “unitary like” growth or “near constant conductance flow herein, and within the scope of the invention. Flow as used herein is volumetric fluid velocity. Additionally, the stent's outer envelope may linearly increase between fixed stent radii at specific lengths, where those radii represent r.sup.4 or RN growth at those radii/length combinations. Connecting the RN radii with linear radius therebetween approximates RN growth in piecewise steps. Such a step wise construction is suitable for Z stents, such as the five Z stent 300, 3001, 3002, 3003, 3005 stacks shown in FIG. 12, as the Z stent diameter can be modified by changing the suture diameter the top, middle or bottom of the Z stent, and is believed to make fabrication of a stepwise approximation to r.sup.4 growth with Z stents (or other chosen growth factor) more efficient. Z stents and variations are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,580,468; 5.282.824; 5.507,771 and 8,043,357 (all incorporated by reference herein). The ending radius of each stent segment Si, at length Li (measured from the start of the stent) is preferably unitary, that is ri is chosen so that ri.sup.4/Li a constant value at each starting and ending radius of each segment. If the length of augment Si is li, then the total length of the growth portion up to the radius in question Li will be Li=Σli, where the sum stops at the respective radius of the segment in question. For a unitary or R4 approximation, ri.sup.4/Li is equal to the same constant, ro.sup.4/Lo, where ro is the radius at the start of the first growth section of the stent. and lo is preferably (Leff) if the expansion section starts at the beginning of the stent, (L=0), or Lo is initial length of the stent to the start of the growth section (For the examples herein Lo is 1 cm, and the radius is expressed in cm.) While each starting and ending stent segment radius is unitary, the growth of the stent radius between may be either unitary or unitary like (near constant conductance growth) or linear. For instance, for the step segments in FIG. 12, each starting and ending App 1 stents cip final edited 2nd growth of each Z stent segment starting and ending radius can be unitary or other Rn growth (Rn or r.sup.n growth means r.sup.n/l is constant). Rn growth over the entire stent or portions thereof, such as 1<n<4 or n>4, are considered to be “unitary-like” or “near constant conductance flow” stents. When r.sup.n/l is constant, n<4 implies faster radial growth and flow than R4 growth and R4 flow, and n>4, implies slower radial growth and slower flow than R4 growth. Each provides increased flow over the standard constant diameter stein. As used herein, flow is volumetric fluid velocity. (.sup.m3/s)

[0054] Radius growth with length is so that r.sup.n/l remain a constant, in all or a portion of the stent, where n>1, is within the scope of the invention. All segmented stents with segments or portions that are unitary or unitary-like growth, are within the scope of the invention. However, it is preferred that the growth of the stent in each segment or portion increases uniformly up to the ending segment radius. Stent growth overall is preferred to be monotonic growth, but is not required.

[0055] An expanding or increasing dimeter stent is suitable for all stent types, braided, woven, laser cut mesh. and either self-expanding or balloon expandable for the venous system. While a 4.sup.th order polynomial increase is preferred for the outer envelope of all or portions of the stent (excluding for instance, constant diameter starting and possibly ending sections).

[0056] These growth factors, e.g., r.sup.n/L where n<4 will grow faster than a constant conductance flow stent, and hence provide increasing flow rates., which can be a benefit in areas where deposits may accumulate causing restenosis, Slower growth rates, e.g., where r.sup.n/L is constant, where n>4, such as n=5, 6, or 7 will be beneficial where long length stents or long stent stacks (e.g., multiple overlapping stents) are contemplated. While such growth is slower that R4 growth and hence the volumetric flows is less than R4 growth, the added benefit is that the ending radius size will be smaller than that in R4 growth, and hence is more likely to be acceptable in a biological conduit systems, such as a vein or artery. All such RN growth still provides increased flow over constant diameter stents.

[0057] For instance, fabrication of a stent with r.sup.4 growth will yield a gradually expanding tube that will double its radius at 16 cm length. In many applications, this growth is too quick, resulting in an ending radius that is too large for the application. A more practical formulation is to keep r.sup.5/l or even r.sup.6/l or r.sup.7/l or larger, constant over the length of the stent or portions thereof. This will yield longer tube lengths before the radius doubles (Table 3); the conductive performance (volumetric flow) will be less than the constant r.sup.4/l formulation but still better (greater than) than that of a uniform cylinder. The ending diameters for various lengths with initial diameters of, 6, 8, and 10 mm is shown in Table 4.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Conduit radius increase with length Length at Variable which R.sub.initial Constant doubles (cm) [00001]$\frac{r^2}{L}$  4 [00002]$\frac{r^3}{L}$  8 [00003]$\frac{r^4}{L}$ 16 [00004]$\frac{r^5}{L}$ 32 [00005]$\frac{r^6}{L}$ 64

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Initial and end diameter of uniform cylindrical and test conduits Ending Ending Ending Constant Initial Diameter at Diameter at Diameter at Geometric Diameter L = 160 mm L = 310 mm L = 620 mm Factor (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) r  4  4.00  4.00  4.00  6  6.00  6.00  6.00  8  8.00  8.00  8.00 10 10.00 10.00 10.00 [00006]$\frac{r^4}{L}$  4  6  8  8.00 12.00 16.00  9.44 14.16 18.88 11.22 16.84 22.45 10 20.00 23.60 28.10 [00007]$\frac{r^5}{L}$  4  6  8  6.96 10.45 13.93  7.95 11.92 15.90  9.13 13.70 18.26 10 17.41 19.87 22.83 [00008]$\frac{r^6}{L}$  4  6  8  6.35  9.52 12.70  7.09 10.63 14.18  7.96 11.94 15.92 10 15.87 17.72 19.89

[0058] To demonstrate performance of slower growth stents, the following experiment was done.

Fabrication of Experimental Conduits

[0059] To test less aggressive growth stent designs, r.sup.n growth conduits with n>4. were designed using engineering software (Autodesk, Inc.; San Rafael, Calif.) and fabricated in a commercial 3D printer (Stratasys; Eden Prairie, Minn.).

Experimental Test Model

[0060] The basic flow model consisted is of a header tank 10 with outflow controlled by a calibrated ball valve 20 (FIG. 13). The ball valve was kept open at the same setting for all flows. The various conduits 30 tested were connected to the ball valve. Each conduit had an initial starting length li, here 1 cm, wherein the radius was constant. It is believed that the constant starting radius allows flow from the pressurized system to stabilize before entering the expanding section. It also avoids the potential ambiguity of evaluating r.sup.n/l as l.fwdarw.0. Conduit outflow was open to the atmosphere (open system) and was allowed to drain into a graduated cylinder 40 for timed measurement (cc/minute). In some experiments, a partially closed system of drainage was used: the conduits were connected to a short Penrose drain 50 (Diameter=3.5 cm; Length=13 cm) discharging under the fluid level in a shallow pan before emptying into the output cylinder (option, FIG. 13). The system prevented air from entering the conduit at the discharge end, functioning similar to the Heimlich valve. The tank system was filled with a 2:3 mixture of glycerol and water with a viscosity of 0.04 poise. Each flow measurement is an average of 5 runs. As shown in the bar graphs of FIGS. 14A and 14B, 15A and 15B, the flow rate of a constant diameter conduit is always less than the expanding conduits, for all length tested (1.6 cm, 3.1 cm and 6.2 cm) and for all starting radii tested of 2 mm, 3 mm 4 mm, and 5 mm. As expected, flow rates with r=K*(.sup.4√l) was greater than flows with r=K*(.sup.5√l) which flows were greater than flows with r=K*(.sup.6√l), for two different starting pressures. FIGS. 14A and 14B.

Results

[0061] The flow rates of expanding caliber conduits (r.sup.4-6) compared to traditional constant radius cylindrical conduits are shown in Table 5 and FIG. 15A and 15B. The expanding caliber stents yields a significantly improved flow from 14% to 563% in all but a few instances. In the latter instances, the outflow stream was observed to be separated from part of the tube outlet circumference, suggesting flow separation from the wall i.e., the flow was no longer laminar for some length near the outflow end. This problem was substantially reduced when the Penrose air-trap was used (Table 6). The air trap restricts the flow of air into the conduit at the discharge end, more closely emulating a closed fluid flow system, like the arterial or venous systems. Flow separation/cavitation should not be an issue in closed biological flows.

[0062] In closed flows where the fluid completely fills the conduit and the flow is driven by a pressure gradient, the incidence of transition to non-laminar flow should be reduced, in an expanding conduit, as in an expanding conduit, where r.sup.n/l is constant, the fluid velocity still declines with length.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Mean conduit flow rate when R, R.sup.4/L, R.sup.5/L, and R.sup.6/L are held constant (no air-trap) Constant Constant R.sup.4/L Constant R.sup.5/L Constant R.sup.6/L Conduit Initial Radius Flow (cc/min) Flow (cc/min) Flow (cc/min) Length Radius Flow (% (% (% (mm) (mm) (cc/min) improvement) improvement) improvement) Input Pressure = 10 mmHg 160 2 71  188 (+165%***) — — 3 251 349 (+39%***) — — 4 368 435 (+18%**)  — — 5 458 492 (+7%)   — — 310 2 81  294 (+263%***)  216 (+167%***)    247 (+205%***) 3 294 406 (+38%***) 321 (+9%)   308 (+5%) 4 373 411 (+10%)   387 (+4%)   369 (−1%) 5 428 489 (+14%*)  428 (0%)      383 (−11%) 620 2 26  166 (+538%***)  154 (+492%***)    129 (+396%***) 3 122  253 (+107%***)  249 (+104%***)   240 (+97%***) 4 149  310 (+108%***) 275 (+85%***)   256 (+72%***) 5 240 352 (+47%***) 327 (+36%**)    320 (+33%**) Input Pressure = 25 mmHg 160 2 169  398 (+136%***) — — 3 478 628 (+31%***) — — 4 513 636 (+24%***) — — 5 550 637 (+16%***) — — 310 2 157  427 (+172%***) 301 (+92%***)   285 (+82%***) 3 401 512 (+28%***) 377 (−6%)   386 (−4%) 4 475 575 (+21%***) 447 (−6%)   487 (+3%) 5 549 662 (+21%**)  491 (−11%*)  520 (−5%) 620 2 68  451 (+563%***)  364 (+435%***)    301 (+343%***) 3 267 520 (+95%***) 476 (+78%***)   433 (+62%***) 4 403 551 (+37%***) 504 (+25%***)   509 (+26%***) 5 503 632 (+26%**)  592 (+18%***) 522 (+4%) *P < 0.05 vs. constant radius flow **P < 0.01 vs. constant radius flow ***P < 0.001 vs. constant radius flow

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Mean conduit flow rate with and without Penrose air-trap (conduit length = 310 mm) Constant Constant Constant Constant R.sup.4/L + Constant R.sup.5/L + Constant R.sup.6/L + Initial Constant R R.sup.4/L air-trap R.sup.5/L air-trap R.sup.6/L air-trap Radius Flow.sup.a Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow Flow (mm) (cc/min) (cc/min, %) (cc/min, %) (cc/min, %) (cc/min, %) (cc/min, %) (cc/min, %) Input Pressure = 10 mmHg 3 294 406 (+38%***) 456 (+55%***) 321 (+9%) 424 (+44%***) 308 (+5%) 376 28%**) 4 373 411 (+10%) 450 (+21%***) 387 (+4%) 444 (+19%***) 369 (−1%) 389 (+4%) 5 428 489 (+14%*) 500 (+17%*) 428 (0%) 467 (+9%*) 383 (−11%) 443 (+4%) Input Pressure = 25 mmHg 3 401 512 (+28%***) 570 (+42%***) 377 (−6%) 553 (+38%***) 386 (−4%) 449 (+12%*) 4 475 575 (+21%***) 602 (+27%**) 447 (−6%) 566 (+19%**) 487 (+3%) 505 (+6%) 5 549 662 (+21%**) 638 (+16%**) 491 (−11%*) 602 (+10%**) 520 (−5%) 553 (+1%) ) *P < 0.05 vs. constant radius flow *P < 0.05 vs. constant radius flow **P < 0.01 vs. constant radius flow ***P < 0.001 vs. constant radius flow .sup.aFlow separation did not occur in the constant radius conduits; Penrose air-traps did not affect these flows

Discussion

[0063] Accretive manufacturing (3-D printing) makes it much easier to fabricate expanding caliber stents for biological use. 3D printing with Nitinol is possible for stents, but traditional stent manufacturing techniques could also be used for these expanding stents.

[0064] There is a practical limit to the length of the stent depending upon location and use. Examination of Table 3 (length of conduit when initial radius doubles) and Table 5 (measured flow rated for the conduits tested without an air trap) suggests that up to X16 cm is practical for stent designs keeping r.sup.4/L constant. As shown in table 7, for common iliac vein stents of 14 mm diameter, the ending radius is calculated for various length conduits for different r.sup.N N=4, 5, or 6. with all conduits having an initial starting length (1 cm) of constant radius. As shown, combinations up to 64 cm length appear practical for stents keeping r.sup.5/L constant. Longer lengths may be required for particular applications and are possible keeping r.sup.6/L or r.sup.7/L or higher r values constant. Fabrication techniques described above or known to those of ordinary skill in the art may be used to construct the rN expanding sent/conduit.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Expanding stent caliber configuration for Iliac vein (Initial Diameter = 14 mm) Constant Constant Constant R.sup.4/L R.sup.5/L R.sup.6/L Length Radius Radius Radius (cm) (mm) (mm) (mm) 0 14.00 14.00 14.00 1 14.00 14.00 14.00 2 16.65 16.08 15.71 3 18.43 17.44 16.81 4 19.80 18.47 17.64 5 20.93 19.32 18.31 6 21.91 20.03 18.87 7 22.77 20.66 19.36 8 23.55 21.22 19.80 9 24.25 21.73 20.19 10 24.90 22.19 20.55 11 25.50 22.62 20.88 12 26.06 23.01 21.18 13 26.58 23.38 21.47 14 27.08 23.73 21.73 15 27.55 24.06 21.99

[0065] The expanding caliber stents may have an advantage over the traditional cylindrical prosthetics in the following areas of vascular surgery.

Venous Stents

[0066] Venous caliber naturally scales up as tributaries coalesce. The iliac veins are the most common site for stent placement. Common femoral vein is 12 mm in diameter. The external iliac vein is ≈14 mm in diameter; the common iliac vein is slightly larger at ≈16 mm diameter. A gradual configuration as shown in Table 7 starting at 14 mm diameter may provide greater flow than current cylindrical designs. In-stent restenosis is a substantial problem in iliac vein stents and correlates with low inflow. It is believed that the expanding stent will ameliorate these problems of legacy design. The most frequent cause of stent thrombosis is poor inflow; outflow problems are less frequent causes. In either case, the pressure gradient (ΔP) is reduced causing flow decrease. A greater flow rate may be possible with the reduced gradient if the expanded configuration stent is used. Hence, a stent stack can be designed starting at 12 cm diameter in the common femoral, growing at RN until it reaches 14 mm diameter at the external iliac, then growing at RM until it reaches 16 mm diameter at the common iliac and then growing, for instance, at R4 to the end of the stack. Her N and M can be solved for given the respective lengths in each vein segment to be stented. Alternatively, a single RN growth can be chosen, to best fit the circumstances.

Sleeved Stents

[0067] These composite stent/sleeved or grafts are used in specific anatomic locations where the prosthetic is subject to external compression/stress. Flow characteristics of the expanded configuration may function better where both the stent and graft (a non-elastic sleeve on the exterior of the sent) expands equally. Indeed, the stent expansion may be greater, but the sleeve will control/limit the expansion of the stent.

[0068] As will be understood by one of skill in the art, the length l used in (r=k.sup.n√l ), is measured from the start of the conduit, not the start of the expanding section) for standalone stents. Long “stents” can be constructed in steps or segments, by overlapping adjacent stents (such as 2 cm) to create longer stent stacks that emulates a single long stent. Overlapping stent diameters preferably match, by choosing the overlapped segment starting diameters to match, and selecting the geometric expansion of growth factor to match. However, as the stack of stents is used to emulate a single stent, the length used in RN growth is measured from the beginning of the first stent in the stack.

[0069] Stents (r=K.sup.n√l where n≥4) can have endless applications where the flow rate through the application is an important factor to the functioning of the system, including the arterial system. Stents are also used to correct intimal hyperplasia at the venous end of dialysis grafts and fistulas. An expanding caliber stent may function better in these locations. In biological systems, use of expanding radii stents should greatly reduce restenosis in these stents.

Stent Designs

[0070] In one embodiment, for a stent of selected length L1, the upstream and downstream terminating diameters are chosen (for instance, the upstream diameter can be selected as the standard or minimal diameter for the particular vein segment and choosing the downstream diameter to match the desired geometric factor constant, e.g., r.sup.4/l, or r.sup.n/l for n<4 for faster growth and flows, or r.sup.n/l for n.4 for slower growth and slower flow rates then a constant conductance flow design. Alternatively, the starting and ending diameters can be chosen and then solve for the best fitting value of n in r.sup.n/l. over the selected length L1. Note that n does not have to be an integer value. and n can represent at polynomial of the chosen degree e.g. 4.sup.th order, 5.sup.th order polynomial, etc.

[0071] The stents described are for a vein or artery segment that is substantially uniform in diameter absent a stenosis. If the vein or artery segment to be stented. normally has a natural increase in size, that natural increase may be accounted for in the designed “unitary” or increased flow stent, or near constant conductance flow stents, for instance, by increasing the selected stent terminating diameter by adding an additional amount equal to the natural increase in vein size, to get a “unitary plus” sized stent. by selecting the best RN growth to get the chosen diameter.

[0072] Stents up to 15 cm long are being produced using a constant diameter stents in standard dimensions. These current stents are usually of fixed unchanging diameter. However, there are stents manufactured as expanding tapered stents, See U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,655,710: 862,3070: 7,637,939, typically chosen to fit an expanding biological conduit. The unitary or constant conductance flow stent concept can be used even in long stents, such as 15 or even 20 cm in length, such as for use in the iliac vein. Such long stents may jail the hypogastric vein, which is well tolerated. However, for long stents, the elasticity of the vein wall can be a limiting factor, and a growth factor for slower growth than the 4.sup.th power for the radius per cm length may be more practical and desirable, such as 5.sup.th, 6.sup.th or 7.sup.th power in r.

[0073] Additionally, the invention includes stents that have a portion that is increased volumetric flow such as constant conductance or near constant conductance flow. Consider a stent that has an initial radius r1 of 15 mm or 1.5 cm) and remains constant for two cm. For the next 5 cm. the stent is unitary, with the starting radius of 1.5 cm. In other words, for the next 5 cm, r.sup.4/L remains constant, where L is the distance from the starting point of the stem to the expanding section start, and at the 7.sup.th cm of the stent, L=7 cm). at the end of the growth portion. the stent may continue with a fixed radius or alternatively, the radius in the final portion may further increase with a different RN factor or remain constant or even decrease (not preferred). For instance, at the end of the unitary portion described above, the stent may continue for another 2 cm but over that 2 cm, the radius may smoothly decline, such as linearly (e.g., a first order polynomial), to end at the normal radius of the resident vein, and thus allow for a smooth flow transition from the end of the unitary portion to the end of the stent back into the vein. One design factor is to have the end of the stent designed so that the flow at the end is at least as large as that in terminating vein location.

[0074] Slower growth rates than a constant conductance flow stent (e.g., r.sup.n/l is constant) but where n>4. can be used in long stents with lesser impact on vein walls but still providing the benefit of greater flows then provided by a constant diameter stem. Note the growth exponent n does not have to be an integer and can be a polynomial.

[0075] The stems and balloons described herein may include radio markers to allow the balloons or stents to be visualized during placement for proper positioning.

[0076] The invention includes unitary or constant conductance balloons or near constant conductance balloons, where the radius of the balloon expands with length to match the growth of the stent. For instance, by varying balloon materials or by use of a balloon sleeve that assumes the desired expanded shape.

[0077] If the stent is a piece-wise growth described above, the balloon should match the growth. The balloon can be constructed of differing materials to provide such varying expansion, or the balloon can also be sleeved to control its growth into the desired shape, by having the sleeve take on the desired expanded shape.

as described, the unitary or near unitary stent can be designed to fit the vein or arterial restrictions and provide increased flows. The stents are preferable monotonic growth, but there are instances where the growth can decrease. For instance, it stent bifurcates into tow. the tow stents will start are smaller diameter than the parent, and the bifurcated stents con grow with constant or near constant conductance flow, and in these instances, the length in the bifurcated stent can start at the bifurcation.