STENT CRACK REDUCTION

摘要

A medical device such as a stent with a catheter, delivery balloon and an infrared energy source is disclosed. The infrared energy source heats the delivery balloon, and/or the stent to a temperature above body temperature, thereby increasing the flexibility of the stent such that formation of cracks in the stent upon its expansion is reduced or eliminated. Either the delivery balloon, and/or the stent may include an infrared energy absorbing material.