Stent with controlled expansion

摘要

An intraluminal prosthesis composed of a self-expandable stent and a biodegradable constraining element being capable of biodegrading in vivo over a predetermined period of time to permit radial expansion of the stent. The constraining elements are applied to the stent to produce a compressed configuration. Dissolution of the constraining elements in vivo allows for expansion of the stent to an expanded configuration.