Importance

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Abstract

A compound stent is disclosed, which includes a cylindrical member having first and second extremities and having a wall defining a central bore having a longitudinal axis and extending from the proximal extremity to the distal extremity, the cylindrical member having first and second end segments and an intermediate segment adjoining the first and second end segments, the first and second end segments being formed of slotted metal and being movable between contracted and expanded conditions, the intermediate segment being formed of a braided material to impart greater flexibility to the stent along the longitudinal axis. Also, a method for making such a stent is disclosed, which includes steps of providing two complementary tubular pieces, each made up of an expandable stent segment from which a plurality of strands are attached by one end, then axially aligning the two pieces with the two stent segments at opposite ends and the strands between them, and moving the two pieces toward one another so that the longitudinally extending strands attached to the two segments pass one another and interlace to form the braided intermediate segment.

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First Claim