Medical devices having nanoporous coatings for controlled therapeutic agent delivery

Abstract

According to an aspect of the present invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided which contain (a) one or more depressions that contain at least one therapeutic agent, and (b) a nanoporous coating, disposed over the therapeutic-agent-containing depressions, which regulate transport of species between the therapeutic-agent-containing depressions and the exterior of the device. The implantable or insertable devices are configured to preform a role beyond mere drug delivery, for example, providing mechanical and / or electrical functions within the body, among other functions. An advantage of the present invention is that medical devices may be provided, which release therapeutic agents in quantities far exceeding the void volume within the nanoporous coating, while at the same time providing functionality that extends beyond drug delivery. Such release may further approach or achieve a zero order kinetic drug release profile.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates to therapeutic-agent containing medical devices, and more particularly, to medical devices having porous coatings which control therapeutic agent release. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The in-situ delivery of therapeutic agents within the body of a patient is common in the practice of modern medicine. In-situ delivery of therapeutic agents is often implemented using medical devices that may be temporarily or permanently placed at a target site within the body. These medical devices can be maintained, as required, at their target sites for short or prolonged periods of time, in order to deliver therapeutic agents to the target site. [0003] Nanoporous materials have the potential to revolutionize drug delivery. For example, [0004] iMEDD, Inc. has created silicon membranes with parallel channels ranging from 4 to 50 nm. Diffusion rates of various solutes through such membranes have been measured and conform to zero-order kinetics in so...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] An advantage of the present invention is that medical devices may be provided, in which the transport of species into the medical device, out of the medical device, or both are tightly controlled, potentially displaying zero order kinetics.

Problems solved by technology

These devices, however, do not have any function beyond drug delivery.

However, because the nanoporous layers in these devices also serve as the drug reservoirs, the amount of drug that may be loaded is limited.

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