摘要 |
The stent (1) forms a hollow cylindrical element which is made of plastic and which is plastically deformable within a range from 45 to 75 DEG Celsius. The stent (1) is brought to the desired position, for example a stenosed area of an artery, with the aid of a heatable balloon catheter. At the position to be treated, the stent (1) is heated and is expanded in the plastic state by dilatation of the balloon (3). After cooling to the body fluid temperature, the expanded stent maintains the shape it has assumed. The implanted stent is completely degraded biologically by the vessel fluid. �<IMAGE>� |