| abstract |
A conjugate between an anti-thrombotic agent and a bioabsorbable polymer is provided. In addition, a method is provided for applying a coating comprising an anti-thrombotic agent and a bioabsorbable polymer conjugate to at least a portion of an implantable device to prevent or reduce the formation of thrombosis on the surface of the device. A first or sub-layer of the coating is prepared by mixing a polymeric material and a biologically active agent with a solvent, thereby forming a homogeneous solution. A second or outer layer comprises an anti-thrombotic heparin-bioabsorbable polymer conjugate. This coating may be applied over the inner drug-containing layers using, for example, a dip coating or spray coating process. After drying, the anti-thrombotic heparin bioabsorbable polymer conjugate remains in the outer layer of the coating, allowing agent from the inner layer to be eluted there through. In addition, the outmost layer prevents the formation of thrombosis, and also serves to modulate the release kinetics of the agent(s) contained within an inner layer(s) of the coating. |