Patent ID: 6224536
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: A61K,A61N,C23C,G21G

Abstract:
A method comprising:providing a catheter having an expandable member adjacent a distal end thereof;providing a radially expandable and permanently deformable intravascular stent;providing a plasma ion implantation chamber;loading a preselected amount of a preselected radioactive material into the chamber;mounting the stent over the expandable member;placing the stent and catheter in the chamber;operating the chamber for a preselected length of time to create a plasma of radioactive material ions and implant the ions into the stent to impart a preselected level of radioactivity to the stent;removing the catheter and stent from the chamber;introducing the catheter into a patient's vasculature the plasma ion implantation chamber being located proximate to a site where the catheter is introduced into the patient's vasculature;advancing the catheter to position the stent adjacent to the target site;inflating the expandable member to expand the stent radially outwardly against the vascular wall and embed the stent into the vascular wall;deflating the expandable member; andwithdrawing the catheter from within the patient's vasculature to implant the stent within the patient to maintain vessel patency and irradiate the vascular wall to inhibit cell growth at the target site.