fig1 is an elevational view of a first embodiment of a stent 10 which embodies features of the invention , comprising an expandable tubular body 11 having first and second ends , a lumen therein , and a framework of spaced apart wall sections 12 defining an open - walled structure , and cover connectors 13 on the tubular body . the cover connectors 13 , which are illustrated in more detail in fig2 , showing an enlarged view of the connectors shown in fig1 , have a first end 15 , a second end 16 , a first section 17 adjacent to the first end 15 , a second section 18 adjacent to the second end 16 , and a third section 21 between the first and second sections . the connector 13 is illustrated in fig2 in an open configuration in which the connector is a generally straight , pointed projection attached to the tubular body . fig3 illustrates the connector shown in fig2 bent into a generally u - shaped configuration which facilitates piercing the ends of the connector through a cover to be secured to the stent . the connector is bent at a first location ( forming bend 23 ) on the first section so that at least a section of the first section is above the tubular body , and at a first location ( forming bend 25 ) on the second section so that at least a section of the second section is above the tubular body . fig4 illustrates a cover 22 pierced by the ends of the cover connector . as best illustrated in fig5 , showing a transverse cross section of the stent assembly shown in fig4 , taken along lines 5 — 5 , the cover connector assumes the closed configuration as the first section 17 and the second section 18 are bent so that at least a portion of the first and second sections are in contact with the outer surface of the cover and the third section 21 is adjacent the inner surface of the cover . in the presently preferred embodiment illustrated in fig5 , the cover connector assumes the closed configuration when the first section has a first bend 23 and a second bend 24 in the same direction as the first bend in the first section , and the second section has a first bend 25 and a second bend 26 in the same direction as the first bend in the second section . however , the closed configuration can be formed by a single bend in the first section and a single bend in the second section when the angle of the bend is large enough that the first and second sections contact the outer surface of the cover ( not shown ). in the embodiment illustrated in fig5 , the second bend 24 on the first section is between the first end 15 of the connector and the first bend 23 on the first section , and the second bend 26 on the second section is between the second end 16 of the connector and the first bend 25 on the second section . in an alternative embodiment in which the connector is configured to draw the edges of the cover together as the connector is bent into the closed configuration , the second bend 24 on the first section is between the third section 21 of the connector and the first bend 23 on the first section , and the second bend 26 on the second section is between the third section 21 of the connector and the first bend 25 on the second section . thus , with the connector in the u - shaped configuration illustrated in phantom in fig5 and the cover pierced by the first and second ends of the connector , as the connector is bent at the second location on the first and second sections to form the second bend 24 , the cover will be stretched about the stent and the edges of the cover pushed together or further around the stent . similarly , in the embodiment illustrated in fig5 , a portion 27 of the first section between the first and second bends thereon is directed perpendicular to the third section , and a portion 28 of the second section between the first and second bends thereon is directed perpendicular to the third section . in an alternative embodiment ( not shown ), after the cover 22 is placed on the connector , the portion 27 between the first and second bends on the first section and the portion 28 between the first and second bends on the second section are disposed at an angle toward the third section 21 by further bending the first bends 23 and 25 from a perpendicular angle to an acute angle , so that the edges of the cover are pushed or drawn together . in fig4 , a first cover connector 13 a is in the closed configuration , and cover connectors 13 b and 13 c are in the u - shaped configuration . fig4 illustrates the cover 22 in phantom before being wrapped around the stent and connected thereto by the cover connectors 13 . the cover 22 is in the form of a sheet of material wrapped around the stent , with a first end 31 and a second end 32 , and first 33 and second 34 edges extending the length of the cover from the first to the second end thereof . in the presently preferred embodiment illustrated in fig5 , the two edges 33 / 34 of the cover corresponding to the length of the cover are abutting . however , in an alternative embodiment the edges may overlap one another as illustrated in fig6 and 7 . additionally , although the cover is illustrated as a sheet of material wrapped around the stent , the cover could be preformed into a tubular cylinder before being placed on the stent and connected thereto . in one embodiment , the connector is optionally provided with weakened sections configured to bend , as for example by thinning or narrowing the connector at the locations configured to bend . the connector 13 has a length that is typically about 0 . 15 mm to about 10 mm , preferably about 0 . 5 mm to about 4 mm , and a width that is about 0 . 07 mm to about 2 mm , preferably about 0 . 1 mm to about 1 mm . the first and second sections have a length of about 0 . 1 to about 6 mm , preferably about 0 . 33 to about 2 . 6 mm . the third section has a length of about 0 . 05 to about 4 mm , preferably about 0 . 17 to about 1 . 4 mm . the cover connectors may be secured to the tubular body in a variety of configurations . in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention shown in fig1 , the cover connector 13 is attached to a support member 35 extending between the spaced apart wall sections of the tubular body of the stent . the support member has a first end secured to the tubular body and a second end secured to the tubular body , and the third section of the connector is secured to the support member between the first and second ends of the support member . the cover connectors may be manufactured as a separate part and later joined to the tubular body , or manufactured with the tubular body as a one piece unit . the terms “ secured ” and “ attached ” as used herein to discuss the connection between the cover connectors and the tubular body should be understood to include cover connectors separately joined to the tubular body and cover connectors made as a section of the tubular body . in a presently preferred embodiment , the connector has a longitudinal axis which is not axially aligned with the tubular body longitudinal axis . as a result , the connector can be used to secure the two edges 33 / 34 of the cover without the need for preattaching the edges 33 / 34 of the cover together to form a cylinder , or without overlapping the edges of the cover . in the presently preferred embodiment illustrated in fig1 , the cover connector is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body of the stent in the open configuration . by substantially perpendicular , it should be understood that the angle the cover connector makes relative to the longitudinal axis may be 90 ° or somewhat different from a 90 ° angle , as for example by about 65 ° to about 115 °. however , in an alternative embodiment , the cover connector may have a longitudinal axis axially aligned with the tubular body longitudinal axis . fig6 and illustrate a cover connector which is directed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body in the open configuration . as illustrated in fig6 showing the stent with a cover being secured thereto , and fig7 showing a cross section of the assembly shown in fig6 taken along lines 7 — 7 , the edges of the cover 22 are overlapping so that sections of cover adjacent to the opposite edges of the stent can be pierced by the first and second ends of the connector to secure the cover to the stent . fig8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a stent 40 embodying features of the invention , comprising an expandable tubular body having a first end 41 , a second end 42 , and a midpoint 43 therebetween , and a framework of spaced apart , wall sections 44 defining an open - walled structure . the stent 40 has at least one cover connector 45 secured to an end of the tubular body . the cover connector 45 has an open configuration , and a closed configuration in which the connector extends toward the midpoint of the tubular body , and is configured to fold from the open configuration to the closed configuration to contact a cover 22 located between the cover connector and a surface of the stent . in the embodiment illustrated in fig8 , the stent has a plurality of cover connectors secured about a circumference of the first end and the second end of the tubular body of the stent . fig9 illustrates the cover connectors 45 in the closed configuration in which the cover connector is folded so that at least a section of the cover 22 is between the cover connector and the outer surface of the stent with an outer surface of the cover 22 in contact with the cover connector . as best illustrated in fig1 showing a longitudinal cross section of the assembly shown in fig9 taken along lines 10 — 10 , the connectors 45 are folded in the closed configuration so that they have a surface which is substantially parallel to a surface of the tubular body for maximum contact with the cover . by substantially parallel , it should be understood that the surface of the cover connectors 45 adjacent to the cover is completely or nearly completely in contact with the cover . as illustrated in fig1 , the edges 33 / 34 of the cover 22 extending the length of the cover are overlapping . however , in an alternative embodiment ( not shown ), the edges of the cover are abutting . in this embodiment , one cover connector 45 preferably contacts both edges of the cover to hold the two edges securely together . one or more of the cover connectors 13 may be provided on stent 40 , together with cover connectors 45 . in one embodiment , the cover connectors 13 are provided on the ends of stent 40 together with cover connectors 45 . in the embodiment illustrated in fig8 , the connector 45 is a closed loop , and is formed by a wire or ribbon , which provides for optimal surface contact between the cover and the cover connector without forming a disadvantageous barrier between the cover and the vessel wall in which the stent assembly will be implanted . however , it would be obvious that a variety of other suitable shapes may be used including discs , fingers or projections , and the like . the cover connector 45 has a length that is typically about 0 . 5 mm to about 10 mm , preferably about 1 mm to about 4 mm , and a width that is about 0 . 07 mm to about 2 mm , preferably about 0 . 1 mm to about 2 mm . the width of the wire or ribbon forming the connector in fig8 is about 0 . 1 mm to about 1 mm . fig1 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a stent assembly 50 which embodies features of the invention , having eyelet members 51 comprising an elongated body 52 having one or more eyelets or openings 53 in opposite ends of the body 52 . the body 52 is attached to a support member 54 which extends across adjacent coiled sections of stent 55 . the openings 53 are configured to receive a securing member , to thereby connect cover 22 to stent 55 . a variety of suitable securing members may be used including sutures , staples , hooks , and wires . in the embodiment illustrated in fig1 , sutures 56 are in the openings 53 to connect the cover to the stent . fig1 is a transverse cross sectional view of the eyelet member 51 shown in fig1 , taken along line 13 — 13 , illustrating a suture 56 in each opening 53 with knotted ends to connect cover 22 to stent 55 . in an alternative embodiment of a stent assembly which embodies features of the invention , illustrated in fig1 , eyelet members 57 attached to support member 54 comprise openings 58 on either side of the support member 54 , so that each opening 58 is directly adjacent to the support member 54 . sutures 56 in each opening 58 connect the cover 22 to the stent 55 . fig1 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a stent 55 having eyelet members 59 comprising closed rings or loops attached to the stent , which embodies features of the invention . the eyelet members 59 extend from the side of the stent 55 on the ends of the sinusoidal turns of the stent , with a central opening 60 configured to receive suture 56 or other securing member , to connect the cover 22 to the stent 55 . in an alternative embodiment , eyelet members 61 are open rings or loops , as for example with an aperture 62 adjacent to the edge of the turns of the stent 55 and with an opening 63 configured to receive suture 56 or other securing member , illustrated in fig1 . in the embodiment of fig1 and 15 , eyelet members 59 and 61 are on the top outer edge of adjacent sinusoidal turns of the stent 55 . however , in alternative embodiments the eyelet members may be provided on nonadjacent turns of the stent 55 as for example on alternate turns . in a presently preferred embodiment , eyelet members 51 / 57 / 59 / 61 are around the circumference of the stent 55 . however , in alternative embodiment , eyelet members may be only along a narrow section of the stent 55 along the length of the stent 55 , as illustrated in fig1 and 15 , as for example , where a seam of the tubular cover 22 is located . fig1 illustrates a perspective view , partially in phantom , of a stent assembly which embodies features of the invention , illustrating a cover 22 secured to the stent 55 by sutures 56 in eyelet members 59 attached to the stent 55 . a variety of suitable materials may be used to form the eyelet members including stainless steel , nitinol , and tantalum . in a presently preferred embodiment , the eyelet members are formed of the same material as stent 55 . the eyelet members may be formed integral with the stent , or alternatively as a separate member secured thereto , as for example by welding . preferably , the eyelet members have the same thickness as the stent 55 . the cover 22 is preferably a biocompatible , non - thrombogenic material , such as tissue , ptfe , or dacron . the thickness of the cover is typically from about 0 . 07 mm to about 1 mm , and preferably is about 0 . 1 mm to about 0 . 4 mm . the cover 22 preferably has a length configured to cover the length of the expanded stent , as illustrated in fig4 , showing a stent with a cover 22 extending the length of the stent , with a length equal to the stent length . however , the cover may have a length that is less than or greater than the length of the stent . the cover preferably has a circumference about equal to the circumference of the expanded stent , configured to fit on an inner or outer surface of the expanded stent . the cover preferably fits on the expanded stent so that the cover conforms to the expanded stent without flaps of excess material . the cover may be provided on the unexpanded stent in a folded or overlapping wrapped configuration which provides sufficient material which will unwrap or stretch to cover the larger circumference of the expanded stent . the cover connectors 13 / 45 are preferably formed of a metallic material such as stainless steel . however , other resilient materials which are flexible enough to be bendable but stiff enough to hold the bent shape of the closed configuration can be used including platinum or nickel - titanium alloy such as nitinol . additionally , at least a portion of first section 17 and second section 18 of cover connector 13 may be secured together , as for example by spot welding , after being bent into the closed configuration to secure the cover to the tubular body of the stent . stent is typically a metallic material and may comprise a variety of suitable stent designs . for example , in the embodiment where the cover connector is a separate part joined to a stent , a variety of commercially available stents may be used such as micro stent ii and gfx stents available from arterial vascular engineering , and multi - link , available from guidant . other stents that may be used in the practice of this invention include the palmaz - shatz stent from johnson and johnson , the gianturco stent from cook incorporated and other commercially available stents . conventional balloon expandable stents are preferred , but self - expanding stents , such as those formed from shape memory materials , are also suitable . the length of the stent , for coronary applications , is generally about 4 to greater than about 80 mm , typically about 5 to about 80 mm , preferably about 10 to about 50 mm . the stent generally has a diameter of about 1 . 5 to about 35 mm , typically about 2 to about 6 mm , preferably about 2 . 5 to about 5 mm . the actual length and diameter of the stent and cover may vary , and will depend on the nature of the vessel in which the stent assembly is implanted . for example , for peripheral vessel applications , such as an aortic abdominal aneurysm , a larger stent having a length of about 5 mm to about 200 mm and a diameter of about 2 mm to about 60 mm would be used . although primarily described with respect to preventing restenosis in angioplasty patients , the covered stents of this invention may be used in a number of coronary artery , peripheral artery and non - vascular applications . for example , coronary artery applications include use in ectatic arteries and ectatic arteries containing an obstructive lesion , aneurismatic arteries , saphenous vein grafts and native arteries , coronary perforation , coronary fistula , and ostial coronary lesions . peripheral artery applications include aortic abdominal aneurysm and other aneurismatic peripheral arteries , transjugular intrahepatic portal shunt , percutaneous transluminal angioplasty , fistula closing and neuro interventions ( such as aneurysms and arterialvenous malformations ), small vessel intraluminal grafting , and ostial renal artery lesions . finally , the covered stents of this invention may be used in urological , gastroenterological , respiratory , neurological , and other non - vascular applications . for example , urological field applications include urethral stenting for stenosis due to tumors , fibrous tissue and perforation . gastroenterological field applications include fistula closing , reconstruction such as esophagus reconstruction , and esophageal bleeding . respiratory field applications include tracheal and bronchial obstructions , and neurological field applications include carotid angioplasty . a general description of the device of the present invention as well as a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been set forth above . one skilled in the art will recognize and be able to practice many changes in many aspects of the device described above , including variations that fall within the teachings of this invention . for example , although the cover is illustrated on the outer surface of the stent , a cover may be secured to an inner surface of the stent using the cover connectors of the invention . additionally , although the cover is illustrated primarily in terms of a sheet of material forming a cylinder about the stent , the cover connectors may be used to attach a variety of covers to the stent such as ribbons of material wrapped in whole or in part about the stent . the stent assembly may be used in branched body lumens , and positioned to block one or more of the branch lumens or reconstruction of bifurcations by a specially tailored bifurcated cover stent .
a stent for maintaining the patency of a bodily lumen has a tubular body with at least one cover connector integrally formed on the tubular body .