Stent Grafts: 2003 Medical Futures Innovation Awards

30th October 2003

Invention: Origami Stents

Stent Grafts

Scientists from Oxford have brought together the principles of the ancient Japanese art of origami with the modern medical treatment of stenting, creating a new family of stent grafts. These are flexible, expandable tubes which are used to prop open narrowed organs such as arteries and oesophagus or to protect the weakened aorta.

The new technology allows stent grafts being made from any existing bio-compatible materials and adopted for different anatomic sites. The inventors believe that it will have significant advantages over current grafts including increased reliability and strength at much lower costs.

For more information about the competition, visit www.medicalfutures.co.uk

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