Patent attributes
An intralumenal implant material, which comprises, a polymer having a sol-gel transition temperature in an aqueous solution thereof, shows a substantial water-insolubility at a temperature higher than the sol-gel transition temperature, and shows a thermo-reversible water-solubility at a temperature lower than the sol-gel transition temperature. Such an intralumenal implant is capable to be endovascularly or percutaneuosly delivered into a vascular lumen in a liquid state at the temperature lower than the sol-gel transition temperature, is capable to be instantly converted into a gel state in the vascular lumen at the blood temperature higher than the sol-gel transition temperature and is capable of occluding aneurysms, vascular tumors or vascular malformation. Such intralumenal implant material shows excellent biocompatibility and mechanical matching for the vascular tissue and the surrounding tissue because it is a highly water-containing hydrogel. In addition, biologically active substances for promoting a prompt neo-endothelium formation and/or endothelialization can be easily incorporated into such an intralumenal implant material.
