abstract |
A method for making an encapsulated stent includes providing a first seamless unsintered ePTFE tube, providing a second seamless sintered ePTFE tube, positioning a self-expanding stent between the first and second ePTFE tubes to form an assembly, and joining the first ePTFE tube to the second ePTFE tube through openings in a wall of the stent by applying first pressure, and then heat, to the assembly. |