Composite stent

Abstract

A biodegradable and/or bioabsorbable composite stent includes a bioabsorbable ceramic material coated with a biodegradable polymeric material.

1 .- 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A composite stent comprising:
 a first layer of bioremovable polymer that is substantially free or completely free of bioremovable ceramic material;   a second layer of bioremovable polymer that includes flakes and fibers of bioremovable ceramic material embedded therein;   wherein the first and second layers are formed into a composite stent.   
     
     
         15 . The composite stent of  claim 14 , wherein the bioremovable ceramic material includes tricalcium phosphate. 
     
     
         16 . The composite stent of  claim 14 , wherein the bioremovable polymer includes polylactide, polyglycolide, polycaprolactone, and/or copolymers thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The composite stent of  claim 14 , wherein the bioremovable ceramic material includes bioactive glass. 
     
     
         18 . A composite stent comprising:
 bioremovable polymer;   a plurality of flakes of bioremovable ceramic material included in the bioremovable polymer, the flake having a length and thickness defining an aspect ratio; and   a plurality of fibers of bioremovable ceramic material included in the bioremovable polymer;   wherein the composite stent has a helical shape; and   wherein the composite stent is resilient and resilient properties of the stent cause it to move from a contracted configuration to an expanded configuration.   
     
     
         19 . A composite stent comprising a plurality of flakes of bioremovable ceramic material embedded in bioremovable polymer, the flakes having a length and a thickness defining an aspect ratio, a plurality of fibers of bioremovable ceramic material embedded in bioremovable polymer, and wherein the bioremovable polymer forms a bioremovable stent. 
     
     
         20 . The composite stent of  claim 19 , wherein at least substantially all of the plurality of bioremovable ceramic fibers are positioned substantially parallel to each other. 
     
     
         21 . The composite stent of  claim 19 , wherein the bioremovable ceramic material includes tricalcium phosphate. 
     
     
         22 . The composite stent of  claim 19 , wherein the bioremovable polymer includes polylactide, polyglycolide, polycaprolactone, and/or copolymers thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The composite stent of  claim 19 , wherein the bioremovable ceramic material includes bioactive glass.