Minimally invasive bioactivated endoprosthesis for vessel repair

Abstract

A minimally invasive bioactivated endoprosthesis device for vessel repair. The device comprises a stent which is formed from metal or polymers into a predetermined shape which includes a plurality of holes patterned with a desired size, shape and number to provide a desired bending modulus. The stent is then coated with a polymer or is formed from a polymer which contains a bioactive substance which achieves an equilibrium with the surrounding body tissues or fluids, with the equilibrium being controlled by charge distribution, concentration and molecular weight of the bioactive substance in relation to the pore size of the polymeric carrier for controlled prolonged release of said bioactive substance. The bioactive substance may be selected from the group of heparin, hirudin, prostacyclenes and analogs thereof, antithrombogenic agents, steroids, ibuprofen, antimicrobials, antibiotics, tissue plasma activators, rifamicin, monoclonal antibodies, snake venom protein by-products, antifibrosis agents, cyclosporine and mixtures of these bioactive substances for simultaneous multiple treatments. The stent itself may take several distinct configurations, all of which have a predetermined biasing force acting on the diameter of the stent. Preferred is a rolled stent which is provided with a coiled shape to which it tends to return when expanded. Locking tabs are provided to engage the some of the plurality of holes at the maximum expanded size to prevent return to the smaller diameter coiled shape. Alternatively the predetermined bias of the stent may be the expanded size so that the stent is coiled against this bias during insertion.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.