Method of implanting a permanent shape memory alloy stent
First Claim
1. A method of implanting a permanent tissue supporting device comprising a stent-like member of a shape-memory alloy having martensitic and austenitic metallurgical states and a transition temperature Af therebetween, the method comprising sequential steps of (i) positioning the stent-like member in a tubular organ of a living body, (ii) mechanically expanding the stent-like member in its martensitic state to form a mechanically expanded shape, (iii) further expanding the stent-like member by heating the mechanically expanded shape above Af so that the stent-like member is transformed into the austenitic state and recovers a memorized configuration larger than the mechanically expanded shape, and (iv) cooling the stent-like member to body temperature.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A permanent tissue supporting device, and a method for supporting tissue, wherein a stent-like member comprising a shape-memory alloy is permanently positioned to support the tissue of a tubular organ of a living body. The shape-memory alloy of the positioned stent-like member is in the martensitic state and exhibits a strain on a horizontal plateau of a stress-strain curve of the shape-memory alloy when permanently positioned in the tubular organ.
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Citations
7 Claims
- 1. A method of implanting a permanent tissue supporting device comprising a stent-like member of a shape-memory alloy having martensitic and austenitic metallurgical states and a transition temperature Af therebetween, the method comprising sequential steps of (i) positioning the stent-like member in a tubular organ of a living body, (ii) mechanically expanding the stent-like member in its martensitic state to form a mechanically expanded shape, (iii) further expanding the stent-like member by heating the mechanically expanded shape above Af so that the stent-like member is transformed into the austenitic state and recovers a memorized configuration larger than the mechanically expanded shape, and (iv) cooling the stent-like member to body temperature.
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5. A method of supporting tissue, comprising the steps of:
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positioning a permanent generally tubular tissue supporting device in a tubular organ of a living body, the tissue supporting device comprising a shape-memory alloy having martensitic and austenitic metallurgical states and a transition temperature of at least 70°
C. therebetween; andpermanently fixing the tissue supporting device in the tubular organ such that the tissue supporting device is in the martensitic state, the tissue supporting device exhibiting a strain on a plateau of a stress-strain curve of the shape-memory alloy when permanently positioned in the tubular organ. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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Specification