DRUG-LOADED MEDICAL DEVICES AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING DRUG-LOADED MEDICAL DEVICES

摘要

Drug-loaded medical devices such as stents and methods for manufacturing them are provided. In certain embodiments, the therapeutic agent is loaded only in or on areas of the medical device that do not undergo substantial deformation during expansion. The medical device may be provided with reservoirs in or on the first portions of the medical device that do not undergo substantial deformation during expansion, and the therapeutic agent may be loaded in these reservoirs. The reservoirs may be covered with a porous coating which may be a non- polymeric coating. In other embodiments, a non-polymeric coating is provided in a discontinuous manner in or on the medical device. A method includes the steps of providing a transfer member that includes a translucent substrate and a layer of transfer material such as a film or foil; attaching reservoirs to the transfer material; positioning the transfer member with the reservoirs adjacent a medical device, such as a stent, with the reservoirs facing the medical device; and directing a laser beam at the transfer member such that the laser beam passes through the translucent substrate to vaporize a portion of the transfer material, creating a pocket of trapped gas between the translucent substrate and reservoir, thereby forcing the reservoir from the transfer member to the medical device. The reservoirs may be formed of a non-polymeric material.