Patent ID: 8261423

Claim:
A method for crimping a balloon-expanded stent scaffolding to a balloon, comprising the steps of: providing a tube comprising PLLA-(Poly(L-lactide)) characterized by a glass transition temperature range having a lower limit of about 55° C.; radially expanding the tube to increase its radial stiffness; forming the scaffolding from the radially-expanded tube, including the steps of forming a circumferential series of closed cells having a W-shape and linear link struts connecting the W-shape cells; and crimping the scaffolding to the balloon while the scaffolding has a temperature of between about 48° C. and 54° C.; wherein in a first crimping step the scaffolding is crimped to a first diameter by placing a crimper head at a first diameter and holding the crimper head at the first diameter while the balloon is inflated to a first pressure.