Stent-graft with bioabsorbable structural support

Claim 2

The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein the stent-graft (100) is adapted to be adjustable between a nominal state and a radially-reduced state.

Claim 3

The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein the tubular body further comprises a plurality of bioabsorbable elements (112) formed in a generally elongated shape which is generally radially compressible and self-expandable.

Claim 4

The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein the stent-graft (100) is adapted to provide an initial radial force when implanted in a body lumen (150) and whereby the bioabsorbable structure portion (110) is adapted to bioabsorbs over time in-vivo with an eventual resulting decrease in radial force to the vessel wall, and the permanent graft portion (120) adapted to substantially remain in the body lumen.

Claim 5

The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein the structural support (110) and the permanent graft (120) are bonded by adhesive means (130).

Claim 6

The stent-graft of claim 5 wherein the adhesive means (130) occupies a proximal and a distal end portion but not a mid portion over the coextensive portion which the structural support (110) and graft (120) are coextensive one another .

Claim 7

The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein the bioabsorbable structural support (110) is made of at least one of poly (alpha-hydroxy acid), PGA, PLA, PLLA, PDLA, polycaprolactone, polydioxanone, polygluconate, polylactic acid-polyethylene oxide copolymers, modified cellulose, collagen, poly(hydroxybutyrate), polyanhydride, polyphosphoester, poly(amino acids), or combinations thereof and the graft (120) is made of at least one of PET, ePTFE, PCU, or PU.

Claim 8

The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein the stent-graft (100) is adapted to be permeated with body tissue.

Claim 9

The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein the stent-graft (100) provides structural support to a body lumen (150) for less than about 3 years.

Claim 10

The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein the graft (120) is disposed on at least one of the inside and outside surface of the structural support (110).

Claim 11

The stent-graft of claim 1 wherein the graft (120) and the filaments (112) are interbraided.

Claim 12

A stent-graft comprising: a tubular, radially compressible and self-expandable braided and annealed structure (110) having a first set of filaments (112) each of which extends in a helix configuration along a center line of the stent and having a first common direction of winding; a second set of filaments (112), each of which extends in a helix configuration along a center line of the stent (110) and having a second common direction of winding, the second set of filaments (112) crossing the first set of filaments (112) at an axially directed angle; each filament (112) comprising bioabsorbable material and having a substantially solid and substantially uniform cross-section, a tensile strength of from about 276 MPa (40 ksi) to about 827 MPa (120 ksi), a tensile modulus of from about 2758 MPa (400,000 psi) to about 13790 MPa (2,000,000 psi), and an average diameter of from about 0.15 mm to about 0.6 mm; and a permanent graft (120) cooperating with at least a portion of the structure (110) to form a stent-graft (100) adapted to be disposed in a body lumen (150).

Claim 13

The stent-graft of claim 12 wherein the axially directed angle when in a free radially expanded state after being annealed but before being loaded on a delivery device (140) is between about 120 degrees and about 150 degrees.

Claim 15

The method of making a stent-graft of claim 14 wherein the permanent graft (120) further comprises a braid angle and further including prior to the step of adhering, matching the braid angle of the permanent graft (120) to about the stent filament crossing angle (α).

Claim 16

The method of making a stent-graft of claim 14 further including prior to the step of adhering, applying radial compression or axial elongation to the assembly (100) to apply pressure over at least a portion of the stent (110) and graft (120).

Claim 17

The method of making a stent-graft of claim 14 wherein the braid is annealed at a temperature of from about 60°C to about 180°C for a period of time of from about 5 minutes to about 120 minutes or annealed at a temperature of from about 130°C to about 150°C for a period of time of from about 10 minutes to about 20 minutes.

Claim 19

The method of making a bioabsorbable and graft film or tube stent-graft of claim 18 wherein the graft film, sheet, or tube comprises ePTFE and PCU and the bioabsorbable filament comprises PLLA.