METHOD OF COATING STENTS TO IMPROVE THE STABILITY OF THE THERAPEUTIC AGENT CONTAINED THEREIN

摘要

An improved process for coating implantable medical devices that utilizes a number of techniques for improving the stability of therapeutic agents contained within the coating. The comprises applying a primer coating, a basecoat solution comprising polymers and a therapeutic agent and a topcoat solution comprising at least one polymer on the implantable medical device. The basecoat and topcoat solutions prepared with and applied to the device utilizing a process to reduce the presence and exposure of the solutions to oxygen to protect the therapeutic agent from autoxidation.