USE OF A STENT WITH THE CAPABILITY TO INHIBIT MALIGNANT GROWTH IN A VESSEL SUCH AS A BILIARY DUCT

摘要

USE OF A STENT WITH THE CAPABILITY TO INHIBIT MALIGNANT GROWTH IN A VESSEL SUCH AS A BILIARY DUCT A stent to inhibit malignant growth in a vessel is provided and includes a tubular structure whose external surface is adapted to engage the wall of a human vessel. The stent is patent throughout its entire interior length and is formed from a radioactive material which is radially expandable after insertion into the vessel of the human body. The radioactive material is adapted to be imbedded into the vessel wall so that the radioactive material emits radiation that reduces the proliferation of malignant cells in the vessel wall that are in close proximity to the stent while simultaneously maintaining vessel patency.