Method of incorporating carbon nanotubes in a medical appliance, a carbon nanotube medical appliance, and a medical appliance coated using carbon nanotube technology

Abstract

A method of coating an article is provided. The method includes: preparing a solution including a bioactive agent and a carbon nanotube precursor; treating the solution to form carbon nanotubes; and applying the solution to the article. A method of producing a medical device is provided. The method includes: forming a core of the medical device with a pattern on a surface of the core and assembling a multi-walled carbon nanotube array on the pattern on the surface. The pattern on the surface may determine an orientation of the multi-walled carbon nanotube array. A method of manufacturing a medical appliance is provided. The method includes creating a mixture of a carbon nanotube precursor and a polymer and injecting the mixture into a mold. The mold forms the mixture into a shape of the medical appliance. A method of forming a nanotube tissue scaffold is provided. The method includes forming a nanotube precursor and treating the nanotube precursor to form the nanotube tissue scaffold. The nanotube tissue scaffold is electrically conductive.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to coating methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for improving the quality of a coating and performance of a drug coated device such as a stent by utilizing carbon nanotubes in the coating. BACKGROUND INFORMATION [0002] Medical devices may be coated so that the surfaces of such devices have desired properties or effects. For example, it may be useful to coat medical devices to provide for the localized delivery of therapeutic agents to target locations within the body, such as to treat localized disease (e.g., heart disease) or occluded body lumens. Localized drug delivery may avoid some of the problems of systemic drug administration, which may be accompanied by unwanted effects on parts of the body which are not to be treated. Additionally, treatment of the afflicted part of the body may require a high concentration of therapeutic agent that may not be achievable by systemic administration....

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, treatment of the afflicted part of the body may require a high concentration of therapeutic agent that may not be achievable by systemic administration.

The ability to apply thin coatings on products may be limited by the capabilities of a gas assisted spraying process.

The coating may flow on the medical device prior to drying, thereby creating an uneven concentration of bioactive agent on the surface of the device.

Spraying or dipping may cause uneven and unpredictable wetting, and distribution and evaporation of the solvent molecules may result in a non-uniform coating.

The drying of the coating may lead to cracking and / or points of stress in the coating.

A non-uniform coating may lead to the unit failing agent release requirements, drug uniformity and coating thickness specifications.

There may be government regulatory issues regarding sequestered drug that may remain entrapped indefinitely, as well as safety concerns.

Images