SELF-EXPANDING PROSTHESIS WITH BIOCOMPATIBLE COATING

摘要

An expandable prosthesis includes a self-expanding stent deployable between a substantially radially compressed configuration and a substantially radially expanded configuration. A biocompatible coating is attached to at least a portion of the outer surface of the self-expanding stent in the radially compressed configuration to inhibit radially expansion of the self-expanding stent to the radially expanded configuration. The biocompatible material is preferably integrally mounted to the self-expanding stent thus eliminating the need for a separate, independent delivery tube or sheath for maintaining the self-expanding stent in the radially compressed configuration during delivery of the self-expanding stent into a body vessel.