Biodegradable endoprostheses and methods of their fabrication
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9480588-B2
Publication Date
2016-11-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A biodegradable stent prosthesis formed from a degradable material, having a plurality of luminal, abluminal, and side surface regions, wherein a surface portion extending between the abluminal and luminal surface region of at least some structural elements is convex or bulbous and optionally, where at least some of the abluminal surface regions may be concave.
Core Innovation
The invention is an expandable biodegradable stent prosthesis with a tubular body comprising biodegradable polymeric material. Structural elements have shaped cross-sections where side surface regions are bulbous, abluminal surface regions are substantially concave, and the luminal surface region is substantially flat. In another configuration, structural-element thickness varies across its width, being greater near an edge of the abluminal surface region than near its middle, while the luminal surface region is substantially flat.
The problem being solved is not explicitly described in patent due to omitted background content. The disclosure states that the described geometries associate with radial strength, trackability, balloon retention, vessel-wall apposition, drug delivery, flexibility, and resistance to strut rotation. These configurations provide defined structural responses under physiological and deployment conditions without altering core polymeric composition.
Claims Coverage
The claim coverage includes two inventive features established across independent claims 1 and 30.
Bulbous side regions and concave abluminal surface regions
Claim 1 recites a tubular expandable stent prosthesis body comprising biodegradable polymeric material, with structural elements having a luminal surface, an abluminal surface, and a thickness between them. Side surface regions of at least some structural elements are bulbous, at least some abluminal surface regions are substantially concave, and the luminal surface region is substantially flat.
Thickness variation across structural element width
Claim 30 recites a tubular expandable stent prosthesis body comprising biodegradable polymeric material, with structural elements whose thickness varies across the width of at least some elements. The thickness is greater at about an edge of the abluminal surface region than near its middle, and the luminal surface region is substantially flat.
The independent claims cover two cross-sectional geometries for structural elements of an expandable biodegradable stent prosthesis: bulbous side regions with substantially concave abluminal regions, and variable thickness greater near an abluminal edge, with both requiring a substantially flat luminal surface region.
Stated Advantages
The described geometries improve radial strength and trackability.
The geometries improve balloon retention and vessel-wall apposition.
The geometries improve drug delivery and flexibility.
The geometries improve resistance to strut rotation.
Documented Applications
An expandable biodegradable stent prosthesis comprising a tubular body with shaped stent structural elements.
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