| abstract |
A coated implantable medical device (10) includes a structure (12) adapted for introduction into the vascular system, esophagus, trachea, colon, biliary tract, or urinary tract; at least one coating layer (16) posited on one surface of the structure; and at least one layer of a bioactive material posited on at least a portion of the coating layer, wherein the coating layer (16) provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material from the coating layer. In addition, at least one porous layer (20) can be posited over the bioactive material layer (18), wherein the porous layer includes a polymer and provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material therethrough. Preferably, the structure (12) is a coronary stent. The porous layer (20) includes a polymer applied preferably by vapor or plasma deposition and provides a controlled release of the bioactive material. It is particularly preferred that the polymer is a polyamide, parylene or a parylene derivative, which is deposited without solvents, heat or catalysts, and merely by condensation of a monomer vapor. |