Method for storing a bioabsorble medical device

1. A method for storing a medical device, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a medical device having an initial tensile strength, wherein at least a portion of the medical device is bioabsorbable;

placing the medical device into a storage container so that at least a portion of the medical device is immersed in a hydrophobic liquid capable of substantially preserving the initial tensile strength of the medical device over a period of time;

storing the medical device in the storage container for the period of time.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the medical device is a polymeric stent.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the polymeric stent is comprised of at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of poliglecaprone, polydioxanone (PDS), polyglactin, chromic catgut, polylactic acid (PLA), and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLG).

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the at least one polymer includes PDS.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrophobic liquid is a hydrocarbon-based liquid or a petroleum-derived liquid.

6. A method for storing a medical device, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a medical device having an initial tensile strength, at least a portion of the medical device being bioabsorbable;

placing the medical device into a storage container so that at least a portion of the medical device is immersed in an anhydrous liquid capable of substantially preserving the initial tensile strength of the medical device over an extended period of time;

storing the medical device in the storage container for the extended period of time; and

removing the medical device from the storage container.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the medical device is a polymeric stent.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the polymeric stent is comprised of poliglecaprone, polydioxanone (PDS), polyglactin, chromic catgut, PLA and PLG.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the at least one polymer includes PDS.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of the polymeric stent is lined with a biological tissue.

11. A method for storing a bioabsorbable PDS stent, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a bioabsorbable PDS stent having an initial tensile strength;

placing the PDS stent into a storage container so that at least a portion of the PDS stent is immersed in sterile mineral oil;

storing the PDS stent in the storage container for an extended period of time; and

removing the PDS stent from the storage container;

wherein the initial tensile strength of the PDS stent is substantially preserved over the extended period of time.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the PDS stent is lined with a biological tissue.