| abstract |
The present invention provides an intraluminal stent comprising a metallic reinforcing component and a biodegradable polymeric material covering at least a portion of the metallic reinforcing component. The metallic reinforcing component provides structural reinforcement for the stent, but this reinforcement is insufficient, in the absence of the biodegradable polymeric material, to provide a stent capable of maintaining patency of a lumen upon implantation of the stent into the lumen. One advantage of the present invention, among others, is that a stent is provided in which reduced amounts of metallic component remain after degradation of the biodegradable polymeric material covering, in turn reducing the incidence of metal-associated adverse events that frequently follow implantation. |