GENE AND CELL DELIVERY SELF EXPANDING POLYMER STENTS

摘要

A device having polymeric filaments, wherein at least one of the filaments includes at least one groove for slidably retaining at least one other filament, such that the device is adapted to revert to a tubular lattice structure when allowed to expand from a collapsed state. A device as described above and further including a biologically active function, wherein the polymeric filaments of the device include an agent having a reactive group or a fiber adapted to covalently react with a biomaterial. Thus, the device of the invention has an active structural function such as the ability to regain a shape and, optionally, a biologically active function such as the ability to deliver a biomaterial to an organism or a cell. A process of manufacturing the device is also described.