Metallic structures incorporating bioactive materials and methods for creating the same

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods to create medical devices and medical devices including bioactive composite structures. The methods include using electroless and electrophoretic deposition and codeposition methods for providing implantable medical devices coated with bioactive composite structures. In one use, the implantable medical devices of the present invention include stents with bioactive composite structures.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 701,262, filed on Nov. 3, 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to electroless and electrophoretic deposition and codeposition methods for providing implantable medical devices coated with bioactive composite structures. The present invention also provides methods for creating different concentrations of bioactive materials in different portions or layers of the bioactive composite structure through the use of electroless and / or electrophoretic codeposition processes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In many circumstances, it is beneficial for an implanted medical device to release a bioactive material into the body once the device has been implanted. Such released bioactive materials can enhance the treatment offered by the implantable medical device,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention provides methods for loading bioactive materials onto implantable medical devices by depositing metallic layers or codes onto the surface of the device. This process has advantages over previous methods, such as not leaving behind any negative effects of polymers and being cost-effective and scalable. The methods allow for varying concentrations of bioactive materials and can control the percentage of bioactive materials present in the metallic layer. The methods also allow for the use of electroless and electrophoretic deposition processes. The medical devices formed using these methods have improved outcomes and reduced the risk of complications."

Problems solved by technology

Second, when a metallic layer is deposited onto an implantable medical device that is also made from a metal, the metallic layer and underlying device do not have substantially different characteristics, so the risk of separation is diminished significantly.