| abstract |
A composite vascular graft incorporates bioactive agents to deliver therapeutic materials and/or inhibit or reduce bacterial growth during and following the introduction of the graft to the implantation site in a vascular system. A composite vascular graft includes a porous tubular graft member. One or more biodegradable, bioactive agent coating layers are disposed over the graft member, the coating layer including at least one bioactive agent. A biodegradable sheath is disposed over the coating layer. The sheath has a rigidity greater than the flexible tubular graft member and is biodegradable to expose the coating layer so as to re-establish the flexibility of the tubular graft member. |