The present invention is based on the discovery that stents can be coated with biodegradable, bioactive polymers that promote endogenous healing processes at a site of stent implantation. The polymers biodegrade over time, releasing agents which establish or re-establish the natural healing process in an artery. Preferably, the stent is implanted at the time an artery is damaged, such at the time of angioplasty to protect the damaged artery against deleterious blood-borne factors that initiate proliferation of smooth muscle cells.
本发明的基础是发现支架上可以涂覆可
生物降解的
生物活性聚合物,这种聚合物可以促进支架植入部位的内源性愈合过程。 随着时间的推移,聚合物会发生
生物降解,释放出能够建立或重建动脉自然愈合过程的物质。 支架最好在动脉受损时植入,例如在血管成形术时植入,以保护受损动脉免受血液中有害因子的影响,这些因子会导致平滑肌细胞增殖。