| abstract |
An intravascular stent having a radially expandable, tubular body comprised of a fiber braid whose fibers are biodegradable polymer fibers characterized by the thermal characteristics of an at least partially crystalline polymer, as measured by differential scanning calorimetry, and a tensile strength per fiber cross-sectional area, of greater than about 0.8 g/mil2, and fastened or woven at their free ends at the opposite ends of the stent, to retain the stent's tubular shape, permitting the stent body to be stretched in a radial direction with respect to the stent's tubular axis. Also disclosed are methods of forming and using the stent. |