Stent, method for processing stent, and method of stenting a patient

Abstract

The subject invention pertains instruments for use in nuclear spin tomography comprising a metal alloy comprising aluminum, vanadium, and titanium. In a specific embodiment, the subject invention relates to cardiovascular stents which can exhibit a low incidence of artifacts and are viewable in a nuclear spin tomography unit. The subject invention also pertains to a method for processing instruments for use in nuclear spin tomography. Spin processing can comprise application of a wet chemical etching solution. In a specific embodiment, the wet chemical etching solution can comprise three parts hydrochloric acid and two parts saltpeter acid.

1 - 5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . A method for control of in-stent-restenosis, comprising: 
 positioning a stent in a vessel, wherein the stent comprises TIA13V2.5; and    viewing in-stent-restenosis within an inner lumen of the stent with nuclear spin tomography, wherein the TIA13V2.5 exhibits a low incidence of artifacts in nuclear spin tomography, wherein viewing in-stent-restenosis within the inner lumen of the stent with nuclear spin tomography is useful for control of in-stent-restenosis.    
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 6 , 
 wherein the stent consists essentially entirely of TIA13V2.5.    
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 6 , wherein TIA13V2.5 has the following composition by weight: 
 up to 0.08% C; up to 0.03% N 2 ; up to 0.15% O 2 ; 2.0% to 3.0% V; 2.5% to 3.5% Al; up to 0.25% Fe; up to 0.015% H 2 ; and the balance Ti.    
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 7 , 
 wherein TIA13V2.5 has the following composition by weight:    up to 0.08% C; up to 0.03% N 2 ; up to 0.15% O 2 ; 2.0% to 3.0% V; 2.5% to 3.5% Al; up to 0.25% Fe; up to 0.015% H 2 ; and the balance Ti.    
   
   
       10 . A method for control of in-stent-restenosis, comprising: 
 positioning a stent in a vessel, wherein the stent comprises TIA16V4; and    viewing in-stent-restenosis within an inner lumen of the stent with nuclear spin tomography, wherein the TIA16V4 exhibits a low incidence of artifacts in nuclear spin tomography, wherein viewing in-stent-restenosis within the inner lumen of the stent with nuclear spin tomography is useful for control of in-stent-restenosis.    
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 10 , 
 wherein the stent is expandable with a balloon catheter.    
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 10 , 
 wherein the stent consists essentially entirely of TIA16V4.    
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 10 , 
 wherein the TIA16V4 has the following composition by weight:    up to 0.08% C; up to 0.05% N 2 ; up to 0.2% O 2 ; 3.5% to 4.5% V; 5.5% to 6.75% Al; up to 0.4% Fe; up to 0.015% H 2 ; and the balance Ti.    
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 12 , 
 wherein the TIA16V4 has the following composition by weight:    up to 0.08% C; up to 0.05% N 2 ; up to 0.2% O 2 ; 3.5% to 4.5% V; 5.5% to 6.75% Al; up to 0.4% Fe; up to 0.015% H 2 ; and the balance Ti.    
   
   
       15 . A method of stenting a patient, comprising: 
 stenting a patient with a stent, wherein the stent comprises:    TIA13V2.5, wherein the TIA13V2.5 exhibits a low incidence of artifacts in nuclear spin tomography.    
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , 
 wherein the stent consists essentially entirely of TIA13V2.5.    
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 15 , 
 wherein TIA13V2.5 has the following composition by weight:    up to 0.08% C; up to 0.03% N 2 ; up to 0.15% O 2 ; 2.0% to 3.0% V; 2.5% to 3.5% Al; up to 0.25% Fe; less than 0.015% H 2 ; and the balance Ti.    
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 16 , 
 wherein TIA13V2.5 has the following composition by weight:    up to 0.08% C; up to 0.03% N 2 ; up to 0.15% O 2 ; 2.0% to 3.0% V; 2.5% to 3.5% Al; up to 0.25% Fe; up to 0.015% H 2 ; and the balance Ti.    
   
   
       19 . A method of stenting a patient, comprising: 
 stenting a patient with a stent, wherein the stent comprises TIA16V4, wherein the TIA16V4 exhibits a low incidence of artifacts in nuclear spin tomography.    
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19 , 
 wherein the stent is expandable with a balloon catheter.    
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 19 , 
 wherein the stent consists essentially entirely of TIA16V4.    
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 19 , 
 wherein the TIA16V4 has the following composition by weight:    up to 0.08% C; up to 0.05% N 2 ; up to 0.2% O 2 ; 3.5% to 4.5% V; 5.5% to 6.75% Al; up to 0.4% Fe; up to 0.015% H 2 ; and the balance Ti.    
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 21 , 
 wherein the TIA16V4 has the following composition by weight:    up to 0.08% C; up to 0.05% N 2 ; up to 0.2% O 2 ; 3.5% to 4.5% V; 5.5% to 6.75% Al; up to 0.4% Fe; up to 0.015% H 2 ; and the balance Ti.    
   
   
       24 . A method of stenting a patient, comprising: 
 stenting a patient with a stent processed with tools containing magnetizing components, wherein prior to stenting the patient exposing the surface of the stent processed with tools containing magnetizing components to an etching solution that etches the magnetizing components, wherein exposing the surface of the stent processed with tools containing magnetizing components reduces surface magnetism of the stent, wherein reducing surface magnetism of the stent reduces the occurrence of artifacts from the stent in nuclear spin tomography.    
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 24 , 
 wherein the etching solution etches iron impurities.    
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 25 , 
 wherein the etching solution comprises:    3 parts hydrochloric acid; and    2 parts saltpeter acid.    
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 26 , 
 wherein the etching solution further comprises water.