Patent ID: 7108716
Filing Date: 2006-09-19
Classification: A61F,A61L,D04C

Abstract:
1. A stent-graft including: a radially compressible and radially expandable annealed tubular body having open ends and a sidewall structure having openings therethrough, and consisting essentially of bioabsorbable filaments; a compliant graft layer cooperating with the tubular body to form a stent-graft implantable at a treatment site in a body lumen, wherein the compliant graft layer tends to conform to the tubular body as the tubular body radially expands and contracts; wherein the tubular body is radially expandable upon deployment of the stent-graft at the treatment site to provide radial structural support at an initial level sufficient to fix the stent-graft at the treatment site and maintain patency of the body lumen; and a bioabsorbable adhesive for bonding the tubular body and the graft layer at least over a coextensive portion of the tubular body and the graft layer; wherein the radial structural support provided by the tubular body is reduced over time responsive to absorption of the bioabsorbable filaments in-vivo following deployment, and further wherein the graft layer in-vivo is adapted to remain at the treatment site during said absorption of the bioabsorbable filaments while being receptive to growth of body tissue therein and thereabout over time, to form with said body tissue a composite wall adapted to provide the radial structural support in lieu of the tubular body.