| abstract |
A stent for maintaining the patency of a body passage including an elongate flexible body, at least one lumen extending the length of the body, a filament disposed along the elongate flexible body for inhibiting the fracture of the body within the body passage and for facilitating subsequent removal of the stent, and a valve for preventing the passage of fluid within the lumen in one direction. The filament can be formed within the body of the stent or within a ridge helically wound about the length of the elongate body. Hydrophilic and microbial coatings are applied to the surfaces of the stent and the stent can be constructed of a bioresorbable material. |