| abstract |
A stent for transluminal implantation comprising a single-piece tubular member having a fenestrated side wall exhibiting a pattern of uniformly spaced openings defined by intersecting strands where the strands are integrally joined together at their points of intersection whereby the tubular member can be radially compressed from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter by the application of a uniform inwardly directed radial force and which self-expands to a larger diameter when the radial compressive force is removed. The compression and subsequent self-expansion occurs without an appreciable change in the stent's length. By forming the stent from a thermoplastic material, it may later be resected by carving it up into small pieces preferably using an electrosurgical instrument. |