Gradually self-expanding stent

A self-expanding stent, comprising:

• a proximal end portion extending toward a longitudinal center of a stent structure from a proximal end thereof by an amount based on an overall length of said stent structure;
• a distal end portion extending toward said longitudinal center of said stent structure from a distal end thereof by an amount based on an overall length of said stent structure;
• and
• a central portion disposed between said proximal and distal end portions,
• wherein stent cells of said proximal and distal end portions are comprised of a first plurality of stent cells, and stent cells of said central portion are comprised of both said first plurality of stent cells and a second plurality of stent cells;
• said first plurality of stent cells having an open and unrestrained structure including a first plurality of circumferentially adjacent structural members in mechanical communication with each other, wherein said circumferentially adjacent structural members have a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration;
• and
• said second plurality of stent cells including a second plurality of circumferentially adjacent structural members in mechanical communication with each other, each stent cell being restrained in a compressed configuration by a restraining material substantially covering an entirety of each of said second plurality of stent cells, said restraining material being attached to said circumferentially adjacent structural members defining each of said second plurality of stent cells, wherein said restraining material releases said structural members defining each of said second plurality of stent cells over time thereby allowing said second plurality of stent cells to assume said expanded configuration.

A self-expanding stent, comprising:

• a proximal end portion extending toward a longitudinal center of a stent structure from a proximal end thereof by an amount based on an overall length of said stent structure;
• a distal end portion extending toward said longitudinal center of said stent structure from a distal end thereof by an amount based on an overall length of said stent structure;
• and
• a central portion disposed between said proximal and distal end portions,
• wherein stent cells of said proximal and distal end portions are comprised of a first plurality of stent cells, and stent cells of said central portion are comprised of both said first plurality of stent cells and a second plurality of stent cells, a proportion of said first plurality of stent cells to said second plurality of stent cells in said central portion being substantially equal;
• said first plurality of stent cells having an open and unrestrained structure including a first plurality of circumferentially adjacent structural members in mechanical communication with each other, wherein said circumferentially adjacent structural members have a compressed configuration and an expanded configuration;
• and
• said second plurality of stent cells being including a second plurality of circumferentially adjacent structural members in mechanical communication with each other, each stent cell being restrained in a compressed configuration by a biodegradable material substantially covering an entirety of each of said second plurality of stent cells, said biodegradable material being attached to said circumferentially adjacent structural members defining each of said second plurality of stent cells, wherein said restraining material releases said structural members defining each of said second plurality of stent cells over time thereby allowing said second plurality of stent cells to assume said expanded configuration.