| abstract |
A stent assembly ( 10 ) is formed with a plurality of stent rings ( 12 ) which have sections ( 16, 18, 24 ) which are of a non-biodegradable material and struts and tie bars ( 20, 14 ) which are at least partially biodegradable. The stent ring ( 12 ) thus partially biodegrades in a patient over time. The structure is such that the apices ( 16, 18, 24 ) of the stent ring ( 12 ) are of a non-biodegradable material and thus able to behave as a conventional non-biodegradable stent, that is with the same flexibility and expansion force consistent with such stent rings. Parts ( 34, 44 ) of the stent ring ( 12 ) will degrade in time, thereby reducing the restoring force produced by the stent ring ( 12 ) and reducing the amount of foreign material retained within a patient's body. In one embodiment, the stent ring ( 12 ) will separate into individual components after a period. |