Stent for angioplasty and a production process therefor
First Claim
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1. A method for inhibiting restenosis in a lumen of a vessel comprising:
- providing a stent formed from a first material, the stent having a body in the form of a substantially tubular casing capable of being dilated in use from a radially-contracted position to a radially-expanded position;
coating the stent with a second material capable of being made radioactive;
exposing the coated stent to a neutron flux so that the second material becomes radioactive;
determining an optimal radiation level for inhibiting restenosis in the lumen of the vessel;
implanting the exposed coated stent in the lumen of the vessel at a predetermined time after the exposing step, the predetermined time being selected such that the level of radioactivity of the second material has decayed to the optimal radiation level.
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Abstract
The stent for angioplasty has a body in the form of a generally tubular casing capable of being dilated in use from a radially-contracted position to a radially-expanded position. The body includes a support structure made from a first material capable of withstanding this dilation without losing its structural integrity. A structure made from a second material which has been rendered radioactive following the exposure of the stent itself to a neutron flux is associated with at least a portion of the carrying structure.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method for inhibiting restenosis in a lumen of a vessel comprising:
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providing a stent formed from a first material, the stent having a body in the form of a substantially tubular casing capable of being dilated in use from a radially-contracted position to a radially-expanded position;
coating the stent with a second material capable of being made radioactive;
exposing the coated stent to a neutron flux so that the second material becomes radioactive;
determining an optimal radiation level for inhibiting restenosis in the lumen of the vessel;
implanting the exposed coated stent in the lumen of the vessel at a predetermined time after the exposing step, the predetermined time being selected such that the level of radioactivity of the second material has decayed to the optimal radiation level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification