| 摘要 |
An expandable stent comprising a proximal end and a distal end in communication with one another. A tubular wall is disposed between the proximal end and the distal end. The tubular wall has a longitudinal axis and a porous surface defined by a plurality of interconnecting struts, a series of the struts connected to one another at an interconnection point. The struts are reversibly hingeable, preferably by plastic bending, at the interconnection point. The stent is expandable from a first, mechanically unstrained position to the second, expanded position upon the application of a radially outward force on the stent. Expansion of the stent may be achieved without appreciable plastic deformation of the entire stent structure. Preferably, the tubular wall has a substantially circular cross section in the first position and the second position. A process for producing the stent is also disclosed. Generally, the process comprises the step of radially compressing the stent in the second position to produce the stent in the first position. |
