IMPLANTABLE MEDICAL DEVICES HAVING ADJUSTABLE PORE VOLUME AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME

摘要

The present invention is directed to implantable medical devices which may be used for controllably releasing a therapeutic agent within a patient and methods for making the same. These medical devices may include
a plurality of struts, each strut having an inner surface and an outer surface; and
a plurality of slots extending between the inner and outer surfaces of the plurality of struts;
each slot comprising:
a first porous coating located proximate the inner surface of the strut;
an expandable member located proximate to the first porous coating;
a therapeutic agent layer comprising therapeutic agent located proximate to the expandable member; and
a second porous coating located proximate the outer surface side of the strut proximate to the therapeutic agent layer,
wherein in vivo bodily fluids pass through the first porous coating to expand the expandable member so that the expandable member forces the therapeutic agent into the second porous coating.