Post electron beam conditioning of polymeric medical devices
AssigneeAbbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc.
InventorsYunbing Wang, Xiao Ma, Fuh-Wei Tang, Ni Ding
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Abstract
Methods are disclosed for conditioning a polymeric stent after sterilization, and/or after crimping and before packaging, such that the properties of the polymeric stent fall within a narrower range of values. The stent is exposed to a controlled temperature at or above ambient for a period of time after radiation sterilization and/or after crimping and before sterilization. As a result, the polymeric stent properties, particularly radial strength and number-average molecular weight of the polymer of the polymeric stent, fall within a narrower range.
Claims13
(canceled)
A method for conditioning a polymeric stent, the method comprising:
- exposing a polymeric stent including a polymeric scaffolding to a controlled temperature greater than 28 deg C. for a duration of time of at least 30 minutes sufficient to reduce the radial strength of the polymeric stent by not less than 10%;
- wherein the polymeric scaffolding is made of a polymer derived from reaction of monomers including L-lactide, and
- wherein the polymeric stent has been crimped onto a delivery device, packaged, and sterilized prior to the exposure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.