An implantable
medical device and methods for making the implantable
medical device are disclosed. The implantable
medical device includes a substrate. At least a portion of the substrate is coated with a first layer including a
polymer containing a
drug. A barrier overlies the first layer. The barrier significantly reduces the rate of release of the
drug from the
polymer, thereby sustaining release of the
drug from the medical device for a longer time.The barrier may be a homogeneous layer overlying the first layer, or a number of discrete deposits over the first layer. Alternatively, the barrier may be intermixed with an outer portion of the first layer. The barrier material is biocompatible, and typically has a thickness
ranging from about 50 angstroms to about 20,000 microns. Suitable materials for the barrier include, but are not limited to, inorganic compounds, such as inorganic silicides, oxides, nitrides, carbides, as well as
pure metals such as aluminum,
chromium, gold,
hafnium,
iridium,
niobium,
palladium,
platinum,
tantalum,
titanium,
tungsten,
zirconium, and alloys of these metals. The barriers disclosed may be applied to the first layer by several techniques, depending on the material being applied. Exemplary deposition techniques include
physical vapor deposition,
alkoxide hydrolysis, and
electroless plating.The implantable device may be a
stent or a graft, among other possibilities.