Method of fabricating a low crystallinity poly(l-lactide) tube

Abstract

Methods of fabricating a low crystallinity polymer tube for polymers subject to strain-induced crystallization. The low crystallinity tube may be further processed to make an implantable medical device.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A stent comprising:
 a cylindrically-shaped scaffold including a biodegradable polymer having a pattern of a plurality of interconnecting struts formed from a polymeric tube comprising the biodegradable polymer, wherein the biodegradable polymer of the polymer tube has a crystallinity of 20% to 50 the crystallinity comprises crystals of a spherulite form and a shish-kebob form with less than 5% of the crystals being of the spherulite form, wherein the stent is expandable within an anatomical lumen of a body.   
     
     
         22 . The stent of  claim 21 , wherein 15% to 45% of the crystallinity is of the shish-kebob form. 
     
     
         23 . The stent of  claim 21 , wherein the biodegradable polymer of the polymer tube comprises a crystallinity of 30% to 45%. 
     
     
         24 . The stent of  claim 21 , wherein 25% to 40% of the crystallinity is of the shish-kebob form. 
     
     
         25 . The stent of  claim 21 , wherein the polymer comprises poly(L-lactide). 
     
     
         26 . The stent of  claim 21 , wherein the polymer comprises poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide). 
     
     
         27 . The stent of  claim 26 , wherein the poly(L-lactide-co-glycolide) is 15 mol % L-lactide and 85% glycolide. 
     
     
         28 . The stent of  claim 21 , wherein the polymer comprises poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone). 
     
     
         29 . The stent of  claim 21 , wherein the pattern is formed by cutting the pattern in the polymer tube.