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Method of reinforcing a body vessel using a intraluminal stent

  • US 5,766,237 A
  • Filed: 06/07/1995
  • Issued: 06/16/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/21/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of reinforcing a body vessel using a tubular sheath disposed between an entry location in a body and the location of implantation and a catheter, said method comprising the steps of:

  • A. placing in a martensitic phase by exposing to a low temperature a stent which is made of a shape-memory material having a zig-zag configuration and defining a series of axially displaced hoop members, each hoop member comprising a successive series of zig-zags with apices, the apices of axially oppositely disposed zig-zags in adjacent hoop members abutting one another and some of said abutting apices connected together by a separate member, wherein said stent is radially compressible and expandable by thermal transformation;

    B. compressing the stent in said martensitic phase;

    C. inserting the compressed stent into the tubular sheath;

    D. pushing the compressed stent through the sheath to the implantation location using the catheter;

    E. withdrawing the sheath while holding the stent at the implantation location with the catheter; and

    F. expanding the stent within the implantation location by thermal transformation and causing a transformation of the martensitic phase to an austenitic phase,whereby the stent exerts a continuing dilating force in the implanted state against said body vessel.

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