Importance

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Abstract

A method of implanting a tubular intraluminial stent which is made of a predetermined length of wire having a zig-zag configuration and defining a series of axially displaced hoop members, each hoop member having a successive series of zig-zags, the apices of axially oppositely disposed zig-zags in adjacent hoop members abutting one another, wherein the wire is a shape-memory material and the stent is compressible and radially expandable by thermal transformation, using a tubular sheath disposed between an entry location in a body and the location of implantation and a catheter. The method includes the steps of compressing the stent; inserting the compressed stent into the tubular sheath; pushing the compressed stent through the sheath to the implantation location using the catheter; withdrawing the sheath while holding the stent at the implantation location with the catheter; and expanding the stent within the implantation location by thermal transformation.

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First Claim