Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for preventing arterial restenosis after angioplasty, comprising the steps of: winding a plastic material filament into a helical base coil having a cross-section of substantially uniform given diameter; said providing step comprising the step of inducing in said filament an elastic memory that provides an inherent tendency for said base coil to return to said given diameter after any distortion thereof; forming from said base coil a helical coil stent with a cross-section having a substantially uniform predetermined diameter substantially less than said given diameter; releasably coupling said coil stent to an elongated delivery device adapted to pass through a blood carrying vessel; inserting said coil stent and delivery device into a vessel; manipulating said delivery device within the vessel so as to position said coil stent at a desired location therein; decoupling said coil stent from said delivery device; removing said delivery device from the vessel; and allowing said elastic memory to expand said coil stent into contact with the inner walls of the vessel and to a diameter substantially greater than said predetermined diameter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for preventing arterial restenosis after angioplasty, comprising the steps of: winding a plastic material filament into a helical base coil having a cross-section of substantially uniform given diameter; said providing step comprising the step of inducing in said filament an elastic memory that provides an inherent tendency for said base coil to return to said given diameter after any distortion thereof; forming from said base coil a helical coil stent with a cross-section having a substantially uniform predetermined diameter substantially less than said given diameter; releasably coupling said coil stent to an elongated delivery device adapted to pass through a blood carrying vessel; inserting said coil stent and delivery device into a vessel; manipulating said delivery device within the vessel so as to position said coil stent at a desired location therein; decoupling said coil stent from said delivery device; removing said delivery device from the vessel; and allowing said elastic memory to expand said coil stent into contact with the inner walls of the vessel and to a diameter substantially greater than said predetermined diameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said forming step comprises winding said base coil on a mandrel so as to produce said coil stent with a temporary set at said predetermined diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said inducing step comprises subjecting said base coil to electron beam radiation so as to cause cross linkage of the molecules therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said providing step comprises winding said filament on a mandrel, applying heat to said mandrel retained base coil -so- as to relieve substantially all strain therein, and removing said base coil from the mandrel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said coupling step comprises inserting said coil stent into a compartment portion of said delivery device, and said decoupling step comprises ejecting said coil stent from said compartment portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said providing step comprises adding an x-ray opaque material to said plastic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said providing step comprises adding an anti-coagulate substance to said plastic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said plastic material is a high density polyethylene having a specific gravity greater than 0.95.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said providing step comprises winding said filament on a mandrel to form said base coil having said given diameter and a predetermined length, packaging said base coil in a sterile package, and removing said base coil from said package; and said forming step comprises winding a portion of said base coil on a mandrel so as to provide therefore said predetermined diameter, and detaching said portion from said base coil to provide said coil stent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said inducing step comprises subjecting said base coil to electron beam radiation so as to cause cross linkage of the molecules therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein said providing step comprises winding said filament on a mandrel, applying heat to said mandrel retained base coil so as to relieve substantially all strain therein, and removing said base coil from the mandrel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said expansion of said coil stent to said diameter substantially greater than said predetermined diameter requires a time period greater than 15 seconds.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said forming step comprises winding said base coil on a mandrel so as to produce said coil stent with a temporary set at said predetermined diameter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said inducing step comprises subjecting said base coil to electron beam radiation so as to cause cross linkage of the molecules therein.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein said providing step comprises winding said filament on a mandrel, applying heat to said mandrel retained base coil so as to relieve substantially all strain therein, and removing said coil stent from the mandrel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 12 wherein said providing step comprises winding said filament on a mandrel, applying heat to said mandrel retained base coil so as to relieve substantially all strain therein, and removing said coil stent from the mandrel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said inducing step comprises subjecting said base coil to electron beam radiation so as to cause cross linkage of the molecules therein.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said providing step comprises winding said filament on a mandrel, applying heat to said mandrel retained base coil so as to relieve substantially all strain therein, and removing said base coil from the mandrel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said inserting, manipulating, and removing steps are performed in an operating room; and said forming step is performed in the operating room prior thereto.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method according to claim 19 wherein said providing step comprises winding said filament on a mandrel to form said base coil having said given diameter and a predetermined length, packaging said base coil in a sterile package, and removing said base coil from said package; and said forming step comprises winding a portion or said base coil on a mandrel so as to provide therefore said predetermined diameter, and detaching said portion from said base coil to provide said coil stent.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said delivery device comprises an elongated cable and said decoupling step comprises the step of activating said cable to apply a force that ejects said coil stent from said compartment portion.