Biodegradable stents

1 . A stent, comprising a biodegradable SMP material for use in the non vascular or vascular field.

2 . The stent as claimed in claim 1 , and wherein the stent comprises one of the following: a basic structure of a biodegradable plastic material and a degradable material coated by SMP material.

3 . The stent as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the degradable metal includes one of the following: a magnesium alloy, pure magnesium, and a composite of magnesium or a magnesium alloy with biodegradable polymer.

4 . The stent as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising additional additives selected among x ray contrast materials and medically effective compounds.

5 . The stent as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the SMP material is selected from among the following: polymer networks, thermoplastic SMP materials, composite materials and blends.

6 . The stent. as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the SMP material is selected from among at least one of SMP materials in which the SMP effect is induced thermally, is photo induced, wherein the SMP material is biocompatible, haemocompatible and wherein the SMP material reveals a particle free degradation behaviour.

7 . The stent as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the network includes at lest one of the following: caprolacton units and pentadecalacton units.

8 . The stent as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the network consists of cross linked caprolactonmacromonomers.

9 . The stent as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the stent additionally comprises a surface coating.

10 . The stent as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the surface coating is selected among the coatings that modify haemocompatibility.

11 . A method of manufacturing a stent of a biodegradeable SMP material, comprising the processing of the SMP material to a stent by one of the following extrusion methods, coating methods, metal casting methods and spinning and weaving methods.

12 . A system, comprising a stent of a biodegradeable SMP material, and including at least one of the following: a temperature controlled balloon catheter and a balloon catheter with an optical fibre.

13 . A method for the minimal invasive implantation of a stent, comprising the following steps:

placing a stent of a biodegradeable SMP material onto a temperature controlled balloon catheter or a balloon catheter with an optical fibre, wherein the SMP material has two shapes in the memory and wherein this material was programmed to two shapes, wherein the first shape, compared to the second shape, is a tubular shape with a larger diameter;

Inserting the stent placed in this manner to the desired position, wherein the SMP material exists in its second shape;

heating the stent by inserting a heating medium into the catheter, and introduction of light (preferably UV light) of a suitable wavelength;

activating the SMP effect to bring the stent into the first shape; and

removing the balloon catheter.

14 . A method for the minimal invasion implantation of a sent, comprising the following steps:

placing a stent of a biodegradable material SMP material onto one of the following: a temperature controlled balloon catheter and a balloon catheter having a an optical fiber;

inserting the stent placed in this manner to the desired position;

one of: heating the stent by inserting a heating medium into the catheter and introducing light (preferably UV light) of a suitable wavelength;

activating the SMP effect to bring the stent into its permanent shape; and

removing the balloon catheter.