Patent ID: 7563277

Claim:
A method of treating a subject comprising the steps of: providing an intralumenal medical device comprising an implantable frame having a surface and a plurality of projections extending from the surface, the plurality of projections including a first projection and a biocompatible and water-soluble removable material enclosing the first projection, the removable material preventing the first projection from contacting a body vessel wall, the intralumenal medical device being moveable from a radially compressed to a radially expanded configuration; introducing the intralumenal medical device within a body vessel in the radially compressed configuration; positioning the intralumenal medical device at a point of treatment within the body vessel; dissolving at least a portion of the water-soluble removable material within the body vessel to expose the first projection; and radially expanding the intralumenal medical device at the point of treatment to the radially expanded configuration in a manner effective to engage the wall of the body vessel with the first projection.