| abstract |
The invention features a catheter assembly (51) and methods for delivering a hydrogel lines stent (50) to a body lumen, and methods for lining a stent with a hydrogel. The assembly includes a catheter (51) which has a balloon at least a portion of which is coated with a hydrogel, and an expansible stent (50) mounted on the balloon in a contracted condition for passage with the catheter (51) to a site of a body. Expansion of the balloon lodges the stent (50) in the body with hydrogel coated on the inner surfaces of the stent (50) as a lining. |