| 摘要 |
<p num="1"><br/><br/><br/>A method according to one embodiment for maintaining patency of an opening <br/>inside the human body comprises introducing a radially self-expanding hollow <br/>stent into the opening through an endoscope that radially compresses the <br/>stent, wherein the stent has enlarged ends and a reduced intermediate portion. <br/>The stent is introduced into the opening such that its intermediate portion <br/>extends through the opening and the enlarged ends are positioned outside of <br/>the opening. Once deployed, the stent expands such that the enlarged ends of <br/>the stent abut against opposing faces of the opening to resist dislodgement of <br/>the stent from the opening after expansion. The stent is preferably <br/>biodegradable, such that it is eliminated from the surgical site over a period <br/>of weeks to months, by which time the patency of the opening is more assured. <br/>The method can be used in combination with, for example, an endoscopie <br/>surgical method such as endoscopie third ventriculostomy for treating <br/>hydrocephalus of a brain.<br/> |
