Importance

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Abstract

The biodegradable mesh and film stent for use in blood vessels is formed of a sheet of a composite mesh material formed of biodegradable high strength polymer fibers bonded together with a second biodegradable adhesive polymer, and laminated on at least one side with a thin film of a third biodegradable polymer. The biodegradable mesh and film material is formed as a sheet and cut in a shape that can be used as a stent, such as a 'belt-buckle' type shape, the ends of which can be joined in a contractible, expandable loop. In the method of making the biodegradable composite mesh and film stent, the composite mesh is preferably formed from a weave formed of high strength biodegradable polymeric fibers, and a plurality of low temperature melting biodegradable polymeric fibers. In an alternate embodiment, the high strength fibers are commingled with the low temperature melting fibers. In another alternate embodiment, the high strength fibers are coated with the low temperature melting polymer. The composite mesh is covered on at least one side by a laminating film, and is then cut into the shape of the stent.

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First Claim