Patent ID: 6645243
Filing Date: 2003-11-11
Classification: A61F,A61N

Abstract:
A method for inhibiting restenosis in a lumen of a vessel comprising:providing a stent formed from a first material, the stent having a body in the form of a substantially tubular casing capable of being dilated in use from a radially-contracted position to a radially-expanded position; coating the stent with a second material capable of being made radioactive; exposing the coated stent to a neutron flux so that the second material becomes radioactive; determining an optimal radiation level for inhibiting restenosis in the lumen of the vessel; implanting the exposed coated stent in the lumen of the vessel at a predetermined time after the exposing step, the predetermined time being selected such that the level of radioactivity of the second material has decayed to the optimal radiation level.