Method of controlling a drug release rate

Abstract

A method of controlling the drug release rate of a drug coated endovascular stent by depositing a drug material layer on the stent and then modifying the drug material using gas cluster ion beam irradiation to create a carbon matrix with interstices containing the original drug. The rate at which the drug elutes through the interstices can be controlled by processing parameters. Multiple layers may be employed to create time varying release rates.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a division of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 349,483 filed Feb. 7, 2006 and entitled METHOD OF CONTROLLING A DRUG RELEASE RATE, which in turn is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 144,919 filed May 13, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,105,199 and entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MEDICAL DEVICES BY ADHERING DRUGS TO THE SURFACE THEREOF, which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 60 / 290,389 filed May 11, 2001, and 60 / 317,652 filed Sep. 6, 2001, each entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IMPROVING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MEDICAL DEVICES BY APPLYING / ADHERING DRUGS TO THEIR SURFACE IN COMBINATION WITH THE APPLICATION OF ION BEAM TECHNOLOGY, all applications being incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to drug delivery systems such as, for...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach reduces complications like restenosis and thrombosis, provides a cost-effective and safer drug delivery system, and ensures a precise, optimal dosage of drugs is released over time, improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, the body's response to this procedure often includes thrombosis or blood clotting and the formation of scar tissue or other trauma-induced tissue reactions at the treatment site.

Statistics show that restenosis or renarrowing of the artery by scar tissue after balloon angioplasty occurs in up to 35 percent of the treated patients within only six months after these procedures, leading to severe complications in many patients.

However, there are also serious complications associated with the use of coronary stents.

Although the use of coronary stents is growing, the benefits of their use remain controversial in certain clinical situations or indications due to their potential complications.

There remain a number of problems associated with this technology.

Because the stent is expanded at the diseased site, the polymeric material has a tendency to crack and sometimes delaminate from the stent surface.

These polymer flakes can travel throughout the cardio-vascular system and cause significant damage.

There is some evidence to suggest that the polymers themselves cause a toxic reaction in the body.

Additionally, because of the thickness of the coating necessary to carry the required amount of medicine, the stents can become somewhat rigid making expansion difficult.

However, loading, spraying and dipping do not satisfactorily adhere the drug to the stent surface and therefore, in many instances, do not yield the optimal, time-release dosage of the drugs delivered to the surrounding tissue.

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