Stents Formed From Dissimilar Metals for Tissue Growth Control

Abstract

Stents formed from dissimilar materials configured to control tissue growth. A stent may be formed from a composite wire helically wound into a stent having a tubular configuration. The composite wire includes a first wire and a second wire coupled together, the first and second wires being formed from dissimilar metals such that a potential difference is formed when the dissimilar metals are exposed to bodily fluids. The potential difference is configured to inhibit cell proliferation and thereby control tissue growth around the stent after implantation. A stent may be formed from a hollow composite wire including an inner member that includes first and second longitudinal strips formed from dissimilar metals. A stent may be formed from a composite wire having a plurality of windows along a length of the composite wire. An insert formed from a dissimilar metal is disposed within each window of the plurality of windows.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.