| abstract |
A tubular implant having an axial end attached with a ring spoon of a different material than the tubular implant. In another aspect, the invention is a method of attaching an element to an axial end of a tubular implant, the method comprising providing the element at one end of a support tube having a radius substantially equal to the implant in a non-expanded configuration; Abutting the implant and the element with the ends abutting, securing the element to the implant, and separating the element from the support tube. In a third aspect, the invention provides an implant for supporting an element of another material, the element and the implant having a complementary tapered mating surface that achieves a tapered fit of the element on the implant. I have. |