Disclosed is a process for producing sustained-release powders that is fast, efficient, and economical. The customized fitting is done by the user. The stent is crimped over the inflated balloon to a reduced crimped configuration so that the stent is secured onto the balloon. The management information value obtained is saved in the sequence memory 4 while the oldest group of management data is eliminated. The apparatus may operate under autonomous control or under the control of a network centric control facility.