DRUG ELUTING MEDICAL DEVICES HAVING POROUS LAYERS

摘要

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided that comprise (a) a substrate and (b) a porous layer comprising close packed spherical pores disposed over the substrate. The porous layer may also comprise a therapeutic agent. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of forming implantable or insertable medical devices. These methods comprise forming a predecessor structure that comprises (i) a substrate over which is disposed (ii) an assembly of microspheres. This assembly of microspheres is then used as a template for the formation of a porous layer, which may be subsequently loaded with a therapeutic agent.