초록 ▼

A temporary stent comprises a coil of tubular thermoplastic material and a heating element inside the tubular material, or a film with a metal film resistive heating element coated thereon. A method of temporarily supporting the wall of a vessel comprises the steps of inserting a thermoplastic body

A temporary stent comprises a coil of tubular thermoplastic material and a heating element inside the tubular material, or a film with a metal film resistive heating element coated thereon. A method of temporarily supporting the wall of a vessel comprises the steps of inserting a thermoplastic body having a first outer dimension less than the inside dimension of the vessel into the vessel to the desired support position; heating the thermoplastic above its softening transition temperature and expanding it to a second outer dimension larger than its first outer dimension; cooling the thermoplastic body to below its softening transition temperature while at its second outer dimension; allowing the cooled thermoplastic body to temporarily support the vessel; heating the thermoplastic above its softening transition temperature to soften the thermoplastic; and removing the softened thermoplastic body from the vessel.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A temporary stent for supporting a region of a patient's vessel comprising:an elongate shall having a proximal end and a distal end; anda stenting portion connected to the distal end of said elongate shaft, said stenting portion being circumferentially continuous along its entire l

[ We claim:] [1.] A temporary stent for supporting a region of a patient's vessel comprising:an elongate shall having a proximal end and a distal end; anda stenting portion connected to the distal end of said elongate shaft, said stenting portion being circumferentially continuous along its entire length and comprising a resistance wire inside said stenting portion, said stenting portion further comprising thermoplastic polymeric material which is rigid at body temperature and deforms at an elevated temperature greater than body temperature but less than about 100.degree. C., said stenting portion being configured such that at body temperature the stent provides vessel support and at said elevated temperature said stenting portion deforms from said support configuration to a second, smaller removal configuration for transluminal withdrawal from the vessel.