INTRALUMINAR PERFORATED RADIALLY EXPANDABLE DRUG DELIVERY PROSTHESIS

An intraluminal prothesis able to expand radially regarding to a central axis, inside of a body lumen, for example an artery, is presented. The prothesis consists of a series of filaments describing a cylindrical prothesis contour. Each filament consists of a series of curves, each curve having at least a lowest point and a top. Between the adjacent filaments there are gaps. Each gap is bridged by an axial omega shaped element as a connecting part. Each connecting part is attached to adjacent filaments the height of the tops so that the prothesis shortening occurs at radial expansion. Other elements can be placed between the adjacent peripheral elements to obtain a different grade of flexibility between the adjacent filaments. The specific configuration of the prothesis allows further treatment of the branches by the prothesis. By using water guided laser cutting technology and specific electrochemical polishing technology a more biocompatible prothesis is obtained, causing less thrombogenicity and less foreign body reaction. By covering an intraluminal prothesis with a titaniumnitride coating the biocompatibility of the prothesis is improved. By applying perforations or holes, an intraluminal prothesis can be used to locally administer medicines, genes and or other substances to prevent in this way thrombotic occlusions and/or neointimal hyperplasia and prothesis narrowing. Using this specific perforated prothesis design the total drug capacity can be increased and also the drug release time prolongs significantly.