Stents with radiopaque markers

Abstract

Various embodiments of stents with radiopaque markers disposed within depots in the stent, are described herein.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A radially expandable stent comprising:
 a biodegradable polymeric pattern of cylindrical rings and linking struts, the cylindrical rings being connected by the linking struts,   markers disposed in depots of the stent, wherein the markers comprise a sufficient radiopacity to be imaged by an imaging technique,   wherein the markers are coupled to the stent at least partially by an interference fit between the markers and a portion of an internal surface of the depots,   at least some gaps between the markers and the internal surface of the depots include a biocompatible polymeric material that acts as an adhesive for the markers, and   wherein the stent includes two or more markers distributed in a manner that facilitates visualization of the stent during and after implantation, and each depot comprises only one marker.   
     
     
         22 . The stent of  claim 21 , wherein the biodegradable polymeric pattern of cylindrical rings and linking struts is fabricated from a polymer including any of the following: poly(glycolide), poly(L-lactic acid) ((poly(L-lactide)), poly(D,L-lactic acid) ((poly(D,L-lactide)), poly(L-lactide-co-D,L-lactide), poly(caprolactone), poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone), poly(D,L-lactideco-caprolactone), poly(glycolide-co-caprolactone). 
     
     
         23 . The stent of  claim 21 , wherein the markers are undeformed or substantially undeformed after being coupled to the stent. 
     
     
         24 . The stent of  claim 21 , wherein the markers are a mixture or alloy of at least two types of metals. 
     
     
         25 . The stent of  claim 21 , wherein the depots extend completely through the stent. 
     
     
         26 . The stent of  claim 21 , wherein the depots extend only partially through the stent. 
     
     
         27 . The stent of  claim 26 , wherein openings for the depots are on an abluminal surface. 
     
     
         28 . The stent of  claim 21 , wherein the markers are cylindrical markers. 
     
     
         29 . A stent comprising
 a deformed spherical radiopaque marker disposed in a depot in a portion of the stent, the marker being coupled to the portion at least partially by an interference fit between an expanded portion of the marker and an internal surface of the portion of the stent within the depot,   wherein the marker comprises sufficient radiopacity to be imaged by an imaging technique, and   wherein at least some gaps between the deformed marker and the internal surface are filled with a polymeric coating material.   
     
     
         30 . The stent of  claim 29 , wherein the marker further comprises at least one compressed portion, the expanded and compressed portions arising from deforming an undeformed or partially deformed marker disposed within the depot. 
     
     
         31 . The stent of  claim 29 , wherein the depot is cylindrically-shaped. 
     
     
         32 . The stent of  claim 29 , wherein the stent comprises a biostable and/or biodegradable polymer. 
     
     
         33 . A stent comprising:
 a radiopaque marker disposed in a depot in a portion of the stent, wherein the marker comprises a sufficient radiopacity to be imaged by an imaging technique, wherein
 the marker is on the portion that connects two bending elements of the stent at an apex of each bending element, the apices pointing toward and aligned with one another, and 
 the stent is fabricated from a polymer and the marker is a mixture or alloy of at least two types of metals for allowing the marker to be imaged by the imaging technique. 
   
     
     
         34 . The stent of  claim 33 , wherein the stent polymer includes poly(L-lactide-co-caprolactone).