Square stent: A new self-expandable endoluminal device and its applications

The square stent is a new, simply constructed, self-expanding device that h as recently been described. Compared with other stents, the square stent ha s a minimal amount of metal and thus requires a smaller-diameter catheter f or introduction. Despite the small amount of metal present, the square sten t has adequate expansile force. We have been evaluating the square stent fo r various interventional. applications. In addition to the basic square ste nt, combinations of square stents and coverings for square stents were deve loped and evaluated to expand its uses and indications. One of the covering s tested is a new biomaterial: small intestinal submucosa (SIS). This paper will discuss the various applications of the square stent, which include a retrievable inferior vena cava filter, vascular occluder, graft adapter, a nd venous and aortic valves. In addition, we will review the important prop erties of SIS as a covering for the square stent.