Biodegradable endoprostheses and methods of their fabrication

Abstract

A biodegradable stent prosthesis formed from a degradable material, having a plurality of luminal, abluminal, and side surface regions, wherein a surface portion extending between the abluminal and luminal surface region of at least some structural elements is convex.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A biodegradable stent prosthesis comprising a polymeric material, said stent comprising structural elements which have abluminal, luminal and side surface regions, said structural elements comprising struts joined by crowns wherein at least some structural elements have convex abluminal surface regions and substantially flat or substantially concave luminal surface regions, said stent prosthesis being expandable from a crimped configuration to an expanded larger configuration and having sufficient strength in the expanded configuration to support a body lumen.