Abstract: A soft hydrogel containing a triblock copolymer and water is disclosed. The copolymer has formula (I): X-G-Y, wherein G is a non-hydroxylated hydrophilic linear polymer block containing p repetitive units, where p is a number from 10 to 150, each of X and Y is a polyester block containing m and n repetitive units, respectively, and the ratio (m+n)/p is high enough for said copolymer to be water-insoluble, said ratio (m+n)/p being selected in such a way that adding water to a solution of the copolymer in a water-miscible organic solvent leads to the formation of a soft hydrogel capable of retaining an amount of water at least as great as the weight of said copolymer. Said hydrogel is suitable for retaining and gradually releasing hydrophobic substance and/or hydrophilic macromolecules, including drugs.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biodegradable polymeric stent having a programmed pattern of in vivo degradation. When deployed, the stent comprises a substantially cylindrical element having two open ends and a plurality of regions circumferentially spaced around the cylindrical element and extending from one open end to the other open end of the cylindrical element. Each of the regions is configured to have a desired in vivo lifetime. One region is designed to have a shorter in vivo lifetime than the other region or regions so that when the stent is deployed within the lumen of a vessel of a patient, the cylindrical element breaks apart from one open end of the cylindrical element to the other open end of the cylindrical element within a predetermined period of time after the stent is deployed in the patient. In one preferred embodiment the stent is a formed from a biodegradable polymeric band. The band includes a head having a slot and a tongue having a catch mechanism.