Importance

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Abstract

The present invention provides a method of forming a medical device and medical devices which can be formed in accordance with the method. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of a) providing a metal fabric formed of a plurality of strands formed of a metal which can be heat treated to substantially set a desired shape; b) deforming the metal fabric to generally conform to a surface of a molding element; c) heat treating the metal fabric in contact with the surface of the molding element to substantially set the shape of the fabric in its deformed state; and d) removing the metal fabric from contact with the molding element. The resulting metal fabric will define a medical device which can be collapsed for passage through a catheter or the like for deployment in a channel of a patient's body. Medical devices made in accordance with this method can have varying structures. In one embodiment, the medical device is carried by a guidewire and has a metal fabric extending between first and second ends, the ends of the device being adapted to slide along the guidewire. The metal fabric has a collapsed configuration min which the ends of the metal fabric are spaced from one another along the guidewire and a preset expanded configuration in which the ends of the metal fabric are positioned closer to one another. The metal fabric will cause the device to elastically substantially resume its preset expanded configuration when released from confinement within a channel in a patient's body.

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First Claim