| abstract |
An implantable medical device (100, Fig 1) comprises a self-expanding tubular structure for placement within a lumen of a patient. The tubular structure is woven or non-woven and has at least one strand which in turn comprises a first polymer. A second polymer at least partially coats the strand, wherein the second polymer comprises a first segment having a glass transition temperature (Tg) less than about 5°C and a second segment that is harder than the first segment. The second polymer increases the mass of the self-expanding tubular structure by at least 20 percent. The second polymer can be a random copolymer that is crosslinked and may be selected from the group poly(lactic acid- co-caprolactone), poly(glycolide-co-caprolactone), poly trimethylene carbonate and poly(lactic acid-co-dioxanone). Preferably, the second polymer is poly(lactic acid-co -caprolactone), comprising 50 to 70 weight percent lactic acid, wherein the poly(lactic acid-co-caprolactone) is crosslinked with hexamethylene diisocyanate. The first polymer and/or the second polymer can be biodegradable. |