Importance

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Abstract

A method of making a covered stent comprises the steps of producing a stent (1) having a diameter corresponding to an unexpanded state of the stent (1) and producing a tube (2) of a film material. The film material of the tube (2) should be shrinkable by exposure to an elevated temperature and the tube (2) should, before shrinking, have a greater diameter than the stent (1). As further steps of the method, the stent (1) is introduced into the tube (2), and the tube (2) is exposed to the elevated temperature for reducing the diameter of the tube (2) such that the stent (1) is affixed within the tube (2). The tube may be longer than the stent such that the ends of the tube may be introduced into the ends of the stent and affixed by short sections of a stent material. Collars may be formed at the ends of the tube and may also be covered by the film material.

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First Claim