BIODEGRADABLE HYDROPHOBIC POLYMER FOR STENTS

摘要

A stent is fabricated using a polymer that is selected for its tendency to degrade from the surface rather than undergo bulk erosion so as to substantially reduce the risk of large particles becoming detached and being swept downstream. The polymer can be hydrophobic, having water-labile linkages interconnecting the monomers. Ester or imide bonds can be incorporated in the polymer to render the material suitable for use in stent applications. The stent may be coated with the polymer or may be wholly formed therefrom.