MEDICAL DEVICES CONTAINING THERAPEUTIC AGENTS

摘要

According to one aspect of the invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided which can delay release of one or more therapeutic agents for a predetermined time after implantation in a subject. In various embodiments, a therapeutic agent delivery profile of this type is provided by employing a temporary barrier layer which initially permits little to no release of the therapeutic agent, but which layer permits much greater release levels after a predetermined period of time. Other aspects of the invention relate to methods of forming such devices and to methods of using such devices.