Deployable and retrievable shape memory stent/tube and method

Claim 1

A method for the deployment and retrieval of a shape memory plastic tubular member at a preselected treatment site within a patient, comprising the following steps: introducing a shape memory plastic tubular member, having a first diameter, to a preselected treatment site with a dilatation balloon catheter; heating the shape memory plastic tubular member with the dilatation balloon catheter to a temperature where the shape memory plastic tubular member is malleable and expanding the dilatation balloon catheter until the share memory plastic tubular member reaches a desired second diameter at the treatment site; deploying the shape memory plastic tubular member at the treatment site; retrieving the shape memory plastic tubular member from the treatment site by heating the tubular member to, or above, a transition temperature of the shape memory plastic tubular member to cause the shape memory plastic tubular member to begin to return to its first diameter, continuously heating the shape memory plastic tubular member at, or above, the transition temperature until the shape memory plastic tubular member returns to its first diameter, and withdrawing the shape memory plastic tubular member from the treatment site.

Claim 2

A method for the deployment and retrieval of a shape memory plastic tubular member at a preselected treatment site within a patient, comprising the following steps: introducing a shape memory plastic tubular member, having a first diameter, to a preselected treatment site with a dilatation balloon catheter; heating the shape memory plastic tubular member with the dilatation balloon catheter to a temperature where the shape memory plastic tubular member is malleable and expanding the dilatation balloon catheter until the share memory plastic tubular member reaches a desired second diameter at the treatment site; deploying the shape memory plastic tubular member at the treatment site; retrieving the shape memory plastic tubular member from the treatment site by heating the tubular member to, or above, a transition temperature of the shape memory plastic tubular member to cause the shape memory plastic tubular member to begin to return to its first diameter, continuously heating the shape memory plastic tubular member at, or above, the transition temperature until the shape memory plastic tubular member returns to its first diameter, and withdrawing the shape memory plastic tubular member from the treatment site.

Claim 11

A method for the deployment and retrieval of a shape memory plastic stent, comprising the following steps: positioning a shape memory plastic stent having a first diameter on a dilatation balloon catheter, wherein the dilatation balloon catheter is capable of applying heat to the stent; introducing the dilatation balloon catheter and the stent to a predetermined treatment site; heating the dilatation balloon catheter to heat the shape memory plastic stent to a temperature where the shape memory plastic stent becomes malleable; expanding the shape memory plastic stent to a second diameter at the treatment site; deflating and withdrawing the dilatation balloon catheter to thereby deploy the shape memory plastic stent at the treatment site; positioning the dilatation balloon catheter at the treatment site; expanding the dilatation balloon catheter; heating the dilatation balloon catheter to heat the shape memory plastic stent until the shape memory plastic stent reaches its transition temperature at which the shape memory plastic stent will begin to return to its first diameter; continuously heating the shape memory plastic stent to, or above, its transition temperature while deflating the balloon dilatation catheter until the shape memory plastic stent returns to its first diameter; and withdrawing the dilatation balloon catheter and the shape memory plastic stent.

Claim 12

A method for the deployment and retrieval of a shape memory plastic stent, comprising the following steps: positioning a shape memory plastic stent having a first diameter on a dilatation balloon catheter, wherein the dilatation balloon catheter is capable of applying heat to the stent; introducing the dilatation balloon catheter and the stent to a predetermined treatment site; heating the dilatation balloon catheter to heat the shape memory plastic stent to a temperature where the shape memory plastic stent becomes malleable; expanding the shape memory plastic stent to a second diameter at the treatment site; deflating and withdrawing the dilatation balloon catheter to thereby deploy the shape memory plastic stent at the treatment site; positioning the dilatation balloon catheter at the treatment site; expanding the dilatation balloon catheter; heating the dilatation balloon catheter to heat the shape memory plastic stent until the shape memory plastic stent reaches its transition temperature at which the shape memory plastic stent will begin to return to its first diameter; continuously heating the shape memory plastic stent to, or above, its transition temperature while deflating the balloon dilatation catheter until the shape memory plastic stent returns to its first diameter; and withdrawing the dilatation balloon catheter and the shape memory plastic stent.