| abstract |
The present invention describes an inflatable intraluminal vascular stent which incorporates fine conduits of synthetic material in a meshwork like structure forming a tubular vascular prosthesis. The conduits provide for inflating and deflating the meshwork structure to deploy the stent, adjust its supporting force and for repositioning or removing the stent, if needed. Accordingly, the present invention includes a method for repairing a treatment zone in a vasculature and the like by positioning the inflatable intraluminal vascular stent bridging the treatment zone. Following insertion of the stent into the vasculature spanning the treatment zone, the meshwork structure is inflated to expand the stent against the vasculature wall. Importantly, the inflation pressure is controllable to regulate the supporting force of the stent as it conforms to the shape of the vasculature. |