Patent ID: 7258753

Claim:
An elongated tubular body suitable for use within a human body which has a cylindrical wall defining an inner lumen therein, which is formed of a superelastic alloy consisting essentially of about 30 to about 52% titanium, from greater than 0 to about 10% of one or more elements selected from the group consisting of cobalt, chromium, iron, and copper in a stable austenite phase, and the balance of nickel, wherein said superelastic alloy: transforms from an austenite phase to a martensite phase upon the application of stress in an amount greater than 70 ksi; exhibits a recoverable strain of at least about 4% from the application of stress which transforms the austenite phase to the martensite phase; and has been fabricated by a thermomechanical processing treatment which includes a final cold working and a memory imparting heat treatment.