Patent ID: 8636787

Claim:
Method for deploying a stent to maintain the mechanical integrity and shape of the stent, said method comprising: I) forming a stent comprising at least one polymer, II) increasing the temperature of the stent to about 37° C. for a period of time of at least about 60 seconds, III) introducing the stent into the duct or vessel, IV) increasing the pressure on the interior diameter of the stent, V) detecting the stent expansion, VI) maintaining the same pressure on the interior diameter of the stent for at least 10 seconds, without further expanding the stent, so that the stent acclimates, repeating steps (IV) through (VI) until the stent is at its final desired deployment diameter, and wherein step (III) may occur before, during or after step (II); wherein the temperature of the stent is maintained below its glass-transition temperature throughout steps (III)-(VI).