Temporal intraluminal stent, methods of making and using

Abstract

A biodegradable polymer stent with radiopacity and a method of making and using a stent with enhanced mechanical strength and/or controlled degradation for use in a bodily lumen is described.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A biodegradable polymer stent comprising an aliphatic polyester polymer and a salt selected from the group of salts: phosphate buffer salt, citrate buffer salt and sodium chloride wherein the salt is present in an amount sufficient to increase the degradation rate compared to the same stent without the salt. 
     
     
         32 . The stent of  claim 31  wherein the salt comprises from 0.01 to 15% of the percent weight of the stent. 
     
     
         33 . The stent of  claim 31  wherein the salt comprises from 2.0 to 8% of the percent weight of the stent. 
     
     
         34 . The stent of  claim 31  wherein the salt is a phosphate salt. 
     
     
         35 . The stent of  claim 31  wherein the polymer is comprised of poly-L-lactic acid or poly D,L-lactic acid. 
     
     
         36 . The stent of  claim 31  wherein the polymer is a homo-polymer. 
     
     
         37 . The stent of  claim 31  wherein the polymer is a co-polymer. 
     
     
         38 . A method of increasing the rate of biodegradation of a biodegradable polymer stent comprising an aliphatic polyester polymer and a salt selected from the group of salts: phosphate buffer salt, citrate buffer salt and sodium salt comprising the steps of:
 i. combining the salt with the polymer in an amount sufficient to increase the degradation rate compared to the same stent without the salt; and,   ii. forming the polymer into a stent.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the salt comprises from 0.01 to 15% of the percent weight of the stent. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the salt comprises from 2.0 to 8% of the percent weight of the stent. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the salt is a phosphate salt. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the polymer is comprised of poly-L-lactic acid or poly D,L-lactic acid. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the polymer is a homo-polymer. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 38  wherein the polymer is a co-polymer.