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Expandable polymeric stent with memory and delivery apparatus and method

  • US 5,163,952 A
  • Filed: 09/14/1990
  • Issued: 11/17/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A self-restrained stent for use in a lumen defined by a wall of a vessel of a patient having a body with the vessel therein, comprising a hollow substantially cylindrical member formed of a plastic material having an initial built-in elastic predetermined diameter which is less than the diameter of the lumen in the vessel so that the substantially cylindrical member can be inserted into the lumen of the vessel, said plastic material also having a memory based on a thermal transition provided therein of a diameter greater than the initial predetermined diameter and at least as great as the diameter of the lumen of the vessel, said plastic being characterized in that it will assume the greater diameter and move into engagement with the wall of the vessel uponthe absorption of heat by the plastic material to activate said thermal transition which is achieved by one of the following selected from the group consisting of(a) a melting point of the main chain;

  • (b) a melting point of the side chain;

    (c) a glass transition temperature;

    (d) a liquid crystal transition; and

    (e) a local mode molecular transition.

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