Patent ID: 7008446
Filing Date: 2006-03-07
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. A method of inserting a prosthesis into a body passage, comprising: providing a prosthesis in the form of a tubular body defined by a plurality of interwoven thread elements, the prosthesis possessing a memory of a predetermined configuration and having a glass transition temperature; inserting the prosthesis into a body passage; heating the prosthesis to a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature; molding the prosthesis, while maintaining the prosthesis at or above the glass transition temperature, from the predetermined configuration to a larger-radius implant configuration, which is sized and shaped to conform to an internal anatomy of the body passage to expand a narrow segment of or to occlude an opening of an out pouch of the body passage; allowing the molded prosthesis to cool to a temperature of the body passage; and after the prosthesis has cooled to a temperature of the body passage, re-heating the prosthesis to a temperature at or above the glass transition temperature.