| 摘要 |
<p>Shaped medical devices, e.g. stents, having improved mechanical properties and structural integrity are disclosed. The devices commprise shaped polymeric hydrogels which are both ionically and non-ionically cross-linked and which exhibit improved structural integrity after selective removal of the cross-linking ions. Process for making such devices are also disclosed wherein an ionically cross-linkable polymer is both ionically and non-ionically crosslinked to form a shaped medical device. When implanted in the body, selective in-vivo stripping of the cross-linking ions produces a softer, more flexible implant having improved structural integrity.</p> |
