Reduced temperature sterilization of stents

A method for packaging a medical device, comprising:

• providing a stent-catheter assembly including a polymer stent crimped to a balloon of a balloon catheter;
• directing a dose of radiation at the stent-catheter assembly sufficient to satisfy a sterility assurance level (SAL);
• and
• reducing the temperature of the stent-catheter assembly after directing the dose of radiation at the stent-catheter assembly.

A method, comprising:

• exposing a polymer stent to a dose of radiation to sterilize the stent;
• and
• after exposing the polymer stent to the dose of radiation, disposing the polymer stent in a container for storing the polymer stent;
• wherein a cold medium is disposed within the container, the cold medium reducing and maintaining the temperature of the polymer stent below ambient temperature.

A method of fabricating a stent, comprising:

• forming a tube comprising a bioabsorbable polymer, wherein the bioabsorbable polymer crosslinks when exposed to radiation;
• forming a stent from the tube;
• and
• exposing the stent to radiation sufficient to crosslink the bioabsorbable polymer.