Patent ID: 8431060

Claim:
A method of manufacturing a stent, the method comprising: a. dissolving a matrix polymer having a number average molecular weight of at least 100,000 Da in a first solvent at a concentration such that a gel is formed; wherein the matrix polymer is selected from the group consisting of Poly(D,L-lactide); poly(L-lactide); Poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide); poly(D,L-lactide-co-glycolide); chitin; chitosan; any copolymers thereof, and any mixtures thereof in any proportion; b. extruding the gel through an extrusion apparatus to form a tube or a sheet; c quenching the formed tube or sheet in a second solvent that does not dissolve the matrix polymer but which allows the first solvent to diffuse out of the polymer; d. radially expanding and axially orienting the formed tube or biaxially orienting the formed sheet; e. drying the tube or sheet; and f. forming the stent from the dried tube or sheet.