BIOABSORBABLE STENTS

摘要

Tubular casting processes, such as dip-coating, may be used to form substrates from polymeric solutions which may be used to fabricate implantable devices such as stents. The polymeric substrates may have multiple layers which retain the inherent properties of their starting materials and which are sufficiently ductile to prevent brittle fracture. Parameters such as the number of times the mandrel is immersed, the duration of time of each immersion within the solution, as well as the delay time between each immersion or the drying or curing time between dips and withdrawal rates of the mandrel from the solution may each be controlled to result in the desired mechanical characteristics. Additional post-processing may also be utilized to further increase strength of the substrate or to alter its shape.

主权项

1. An implantable stent scaffold, comprising:
a plurality of circumferential support elements aligned about a longitudinal axis and radially expandable from a low profile to an expanded profile; a plurality of coupling elements coupling the circumferential support elements in an alternating pattern such that the coupling elements are aligned with the longitudinal axis; wherein the stent scaffold is comprised of a bioresorbable polymer and exhibits a radial strength of between 1.0-1.5 N/mm, a recoil of 2%-5%, and a stent retention of 0.5-1.5 N.