Method to manufacture thin strut stent from bioabsorbable polymer with high fatigue and radial strength

A process for the preparation of a biodegradable stent, the process comprising:

• providing an extruded biodegradable polymer tube;
• deforming the extruded biodegradable polymer tube axially at a first predefined temperature by applying an axial force for a first predefined time interval to form an axially stretched tube;
• radially expanding the axially stretched tube at a second predefined temperature by pressurizing the tube with an inert gas in two or more successive stages, the pressure applied in each successive stage being higher than the pressure applied in a previous stage and the pressure applied being held for at least a predefined period of time in each successive stage;
• cutting a specific pattern of scaffold structure on the expanded tube by laser machining to form a laser cut stent;
• and
• crimping the laser cut stent on the balloon of delivery catheter in a clean environment in multiple stages.