STENT AND CATHETER FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF THE STENT

摘要

A method for using stent which is a hollow, cylindrical structure made of a synthetic substance which becomes plastic and malleable in a temperature range from 45 DEG to 75 DEG Celsius. The stent is brought to the desired site, for example a stenosed section of an artery, by means of a heatable balloon catheter. The stent is heated at the site to be treated and whilst in the plastic state is expanded through dilatation of a balloon. After being cooled to body temperature the expanded stent retains the form achieved. The body fluids bring about complete biodegradation of the implanted stent.