| abstract |
This invention relates to an inner diameter secur- ng tool for keeping the inner cavity of a tubular organ such as a blood vessel, an alimentary canal, :he trachea, etc. in a predetermined expanded state. This tool is shaped in a cyclindrical shape or substantially cylindrical shape by a unidirectional shape memory alloy so that the outer diameter of the :ylinder at a heat distortion temperature (e.g. a temperature higher than the body temperature) is smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular organ to receive it. This tool can deform to a radially expanded state at a temperature lower than the body :emperature, for example. An arbitrary shape can be selected as the cylindrical shape such as a coil-like shape, a sectionally spiral shape, a shape equipped with slits in a longitudinal direction, a net-like shape, and so forth. |