Biosorbable endoprosthesis

Abstract

A biosorbable magnetisable endoprosthesis, may be useful in the therapy of restenosis. A method for the treatment of prevention of restenosis or a disease of thecoronary artery, comprises fitting a patent with an endoprosthesis according to the invention, which has either been magnetized prior to placement in the body or which is magnetized in situ, and administering to the patient magnetized cells capable of repairing an artery.

1 . A biosorbable magnetisable endoprosthesis. 
     
     
         2 . An endoprosthesis according to  claim 1 , which is a stent. 
     
     
         3 . An endoprosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the endoprosthesis can be absorbed by the body, such that structural integrity of the stent is lost between 6 and 12 months after placement in the body. 
     
     
         4 . An endoprosthesis according to  claim 1 , comprising magnetic particles within a biosorbable material. 
     
     
         5 . An endoprosthesis, which is made from a material which is both biosorbable and magnetisable. 
     
     
         6 . An endoprosthesis according to  claim 4 , wherein the magnetic particles comprise iron. 
     
     
         7 . An endoprosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the biosorbable material comprises magnesium or iron, or an alloy thereof. 
     
     
         8 . An endoprosthesis according to  claim 1 , wherein the biosorbable material comprises a biosorbable polymer. 
     
     
         9 . A kit comprising a magnetisable endoprosthesis and magnetisable cells capable of repairing an artery. 
     
     
         10 . A kit according to  claim 9 , wherein the cells are progenitor cells, preferably endothelial progenitor cells. 
     
     
         11 . A kit according to  claim 9 , wherein the cells comprise iron. 
     
     
         12 . A kit according to  claim 9 , as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in therapy. 
     
     
         13 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A method for the treatment or prevention of restenosis, stent thrombosis or a disease of a blood vessel, comprising (a) fitting a patent with an endoprosthesis according to  claim 1 , which has either been magnetized prior to placement in the body or which is magnetized in situ, and (b) administering to the patient magnetized cells capable of repairing an artery. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the endoprosthesis has been magnetized prior to placement in the body. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising magnetizing the endoprosthesis prior to placement in the body. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the prosthesis is fitted to said patient in an unmagnetized state and is magnetized in situ. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the treatment or prevention is for a disease of the coronary artery. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the treatment or prevention is for the repair or regeneration of a blood vessel after angioplasty. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the treatment or prevention is for restensosis. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the treatment or prevention is for stent thromobosis.