Biodegradable connectors

Abstract

An expandable bifurcated stent is formed of a main body and a first branch. The body wall is made up of interconnected stent members that define a plurality of cells, at least one of which is a side opening. The first branch body extends from the body wall from at least two regions adjacent the side opening. At least one stent member adjacent the perimeter is bioabsorbable.

1 . A bifurcated stent comprising:
 a plurality of interconnected stent members defining a side branch opening, the side branch opening having a perimeter and a plurality of deflectable members, the deflectable members having a first end and a second end, the first end engaged to the perimeter, the second end extending into the side branch opening, wherein at least two of the plurality of deflectable members are connected to one another via at least one bioabsorbable stent member.   
   
   
       2 . The bifurcated stent of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bioabsorbable stent member is curved. 
   
   
       3 . The bifurcated stent of  claim 1  further comprising a main body portion, an unexpanded configuration, and an expanded configuration; the main body portion further comprising an outer surface; wherein, in the unexpanded configuration, the deflectable members are coplanar with the outer surface of the main body portion, and, in the expanded configuration, the deflectable members extend outwardly from the outer surface of the main body portion. 
   
   
       4 . The bifurcated stent of  claim 1 , wherein each of the deflectable members comprises a side branch petal. 
   
   
       5 . The bifurcated stent of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bioabsorbable stent member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: poly(hydroxyvalerate), poly(L-lactic acid), polycaprolactone, poly(lactide-co-glycolide), poly(hydroxybutyrate), poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-valerate), polydioxanone, polyorthoesters, polyanhydrides, poly(glycolic acid), poly(D,L-lactic acid), poly(glycolic acid-co-trimethylene carbonate), polyphosphoesters, polyphosphoester urethanes, poly(amino acids), cyanoacrylates, poly(trimethylene carbonate), poly(iminocarbonate), copoly(ether-esters), polyalkylene oxalates, polyphosphazenes, fibrin, fibrinogen, cellulose, starch, collagen, hyaluronic acid, and combinations thereof. 
   
   
       6 . The bifurcated stent of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bioabsorbable stent member extends from the second end of one of the plurality of deflectable members to the second end of another of the plurality of deflectable members. 
   
   
       7 . The bifurcated stent of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the perimeter is bioabsorbable. 
   
   
       8 . The bifurcated stent of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one bioabsorbable stent member comprises a plurality of bioabsorbable stent members, the plurality of bioabsorbable stent members being concentric with the perimeter of the branch opening. 
   
   
       9 . A bifurcated stent comprising:
 an unexpanded configuration and an expanded configuration;   a plurality of interconnected stent members defining a plurality of cells, at least one of the plurality of cells comprising a side opening, the side opening being shaped differently than the other cells, the side opening having a perimeter; and   a plurality of side branch petals extending from the perimeter into the side opening; in an unexpanded configuration, the side branch petals being connected one to another by at least one bioabsorbable stent member.   
   
   
       10 . The bifurcated stent of  claim 9 , wherein, in an expanded configuration, the at least one bioabsorbable stent member is no longer connecting the side branch petals. 
   
   
       11 . The bifurcated stent of  claim 9 , wherein the perimeter of the side opening is circular. 
   
   
       12 . The bifurcated stent of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one bioabsorbable stent member is concentric with the perimeter. 
   
   
       13 . The bifurcated stent of  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the perimeter is bioabsorbable. 
   
   
       14 . The bifurcated stent of  claim 13  further comprising a main stent body, wherein, in an unexpanded configuration, the side branch petals are connected to the main stent body and, in an expanded configuration, the side branch petals are disconnected from the main stent body. 
   
   
       15 . The bifurcated stent of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of side branch petals comprises a second end, the at least one bioabsorbable stent member extending from the second end of one of the plurality of side branch petals to the second end of another of the plurality side branch petals.