Patent ID: 8388676

Claim:
A method of using an implantable endoprosthesis comprising: providing a tubular endoprosthesis structure for implantation into a body lumen of a patient's body, wherein the structure is radially compressible and axially flexible, the tubular endoprosthesis structure having a first diameter and comprising at least one filament having a nominal diameter wherein (i) the tubular endoprosthesis structure is notched, grooved or indented such that controlled fracture initiation sites are spaced apart along a length thereof or (ii) the at least one filament comprises a plurality of monofilaments having a diameter smaller than the nominal diameter wherein the plurality of monofilaments are notched, grooved or indented such that controlled fracture initiation sites are spaced apart along a length thereof to facilitate controlled disintegration of the tubular endoprosthesis structure; disposing the tubular endoprosthesis structure into a delivery system at a second diameter that is smaller than the first diameter; inserting the delivery system with the tubular endoprosthesis structure in a body lumen: deploying the tubular endoprosthesis structure from the delivery system into the body lumen where the tubular endoprosthesis structure assumes a third diameter that is smaller than the first diameter; and disintegrating the tubular endoprosthesis structure by fracturing the tubular endoprosthesis structure at the controlled fracture initiation sites into mobile disintegration products on the order of about 10 μm to 1 cm in length, thereby permitting the mobile disintegration products to be transported through the body lumen and eliminated from the body.