Patent ID: 6613077
Filing Date: 2003-09-02
Classification: A61F,Y10S

Abstract:
An intraluminal prosthesis comprising:a. an intraluminal stent comprising opposing end portions and a medial portion therebetween, said stent being radially self-expandable between a compressed diameter and a fully-expanded diameter; and b. a biodegradable constraining element applied to said stent so as to prevent radial expansion of said medial portion of said stent to said fully-expanded diameter, thereby limiting radial expansion of said medial portion of said stent to a diameter intermediate of said compressed and fully expanded diameters said biodegradable constraining element biodegrading in vivo over a period of time to permit radial expansion of said portion of said stent to said fully-expanded diameter; wherein said opposing end portions are not constrained and therefore are permitted to expand to the fully-expanded diameter, contacting a vessel wall upon implantation.