Angioplasty stent adapted to counter restenosis, respective kit and components

Abstract

A stent structure includes a stent and one or more fibers disposed on the stent, the fiber adapted to provide a therapeutic agent. Nuclei containing therapeutic agents that impede restenosis may be included within the fiber or within separate particles that are contained within hollow core fibers. The fibers and the particles may be bioerodible. A permeable, biocompatible sheath may be interposed between the stent and the fiber. A kit including a stent, a fiber, and a delivery catheter is also described.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of impeding restenosis in a patient's vasculature comprising: 
 providing a stent having an inner surface and an outer surface and a longitudinal axis and being capable of being dilated from a radially-contracted position to a radially-expanded position;    providing at least one fiber adapted to deliver a restenosis impeding agent;    providing a delivery catheter;    mounting the stent and the at least one fiber onto the delivery catheter; and    advancing the delivery catheter to the patient's vasculature to deliver the stent and the at least one fiber at the site of stenosis.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of providing the at least one fiber comprises disposing the at least one fiber on the outside surface of the stent.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of providing the at least one fiber further comprises providing the restenosis impeding agent contained within a nucleus embedded in the at least one fiber.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of providing the at least one fiber further comprises providing the restenosis impeding agent contained within a lumen defined by the at least one fiber.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of mounting, the at least one fiber comprises a plurality of fibers.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of mounting further comprises winding the at least one fiber around the stent.