Bioabsorbable self-expanding endolumenal devices
The present invention is directed to bioabsorbable self-expanding medical devices for use inside or outside body conduits that self-expand at, or below, normal human body temperature without requisite for a polymeric thermal transition
1 . An implantable medical device comprising:
an integral framework delimiting a multiplicity of fenestrations, said framework comprising a non-blended hydrolyzable polymeric material; and
wherein said framework is substantially tubular in shape and radially expands from a compressed first diameter to an uncompressed second diameter equal to or greater than 1.5 times said first diameter within two minutes following application and release of a compressive force while immersed in an aqueous medium at 37 degrees centigrade without requisite for an extrinsically applied force and without requisite for a thermal transition.
2 . The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein said Integral framework does not change axial length significantly as said integral framework expands radially.
3 . The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the device is a stent.
4 . The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein said integral framework has elements with different cross-sectional dimensions.
5 . The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein said integral framework has elements comprising bioabsorbable material having different chemical compositions.
6 . The implantable medical device of claim 2 wherein the stent has a fenestration pattern substantially as shown in FIG. 1 .
7 . The implantable medical device of claim 1 wherein the non-blended hydrolyzable polymeric material is a tri-block co-polymer of poly(glycolide) and poly(trimethylenecarbonate).
8 - 36 . (canceled)