INTRALUMINAL PROSTHESES AND CARBON DIOXIDE-ASSISTED METHODS OF IMPREGNATING SAME WITH PHARMACOLOGICAL AGENTS

摘要

Intraluminal prostheses and methods of impregnating same with pharmacological agents for delivery within a body of a subject are provided. An intraluminal prosthesis comprising polymeric material is immersed in a mixture of carrier fluid and pharmacological agent(s). The mixture of carrier fluid and pharmacological agent is pressurized for a time sufficient to cause the polymeric material of the intraluminal prosthesis to swell such that the carrier fluid and pharmacological agent at least partially penetrate the swollen polymeric material. Pressure is then removed such that the carrier fluid diffuses out of the swollen polymeric material and such that a predetermined amount of the pharmacological agent remains elutably trapped within the polymeric material.