Inventors:
William H. Wall - Norcross GA
International Classification:
A61F 206
Abstract:
A prosthesis for use in preventing restenosis after angioplasty is formed of plastic or sheet metal, and is expandable and contractible for placement. The prosthesis can be inserted while in a collapsed position, then expanded and locked at the larger diameter. Spring force can be provided by the material itself, or metal springs can be embedded within the walls of the prosthesis. Preferably, the walls have holes therethrough to promote tissue growth; and, in one embodiment, the holes are in the form of slots so that the prosthesis is segmented and can bend longitudinally.
In one of the embodiments the stent is longitudinally hinged and has separated oppositely disposed edge portions which are retained together by a wire that is fitted into retaining lugs on both edge portions. The distal portion of the wire contains radioactive material to treat the area in which the stent is located.