Method of processing open-celled microcellular polymeric foams with controlled porosity for use as vascular grafts and stent covers
First Claim
1. A stent cover for use with a stent for controlled release of therapeutic drugs by a stent for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel, comprising:
- a tubular member formed of at least one layer of a porous, open-celled microcellular foam of a polymeric material formed by dissolving an inert gas in the polymeric material at an initial temperature and pressure and creating microvoids in the polymeric material by changing the pressure or temperature of the polymeric material, said porous open-celled microcellular foam being capable of absorbing and releasing therapeutic drugs at predictable rates.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Porous vascular grafts and stent covers are formed of open-celled microcellular polymeric foams having a porosity that can be modified to be adapted for carrying and delivering different types of therapeutic drugs. A stent cover is formed of a tubular member including at least one layer of a porous, microcellular foam formed from a polymeric material capable of absorbing and releasing therapeutic drugs at predictable rates for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel. A composite metal and polymer vascular graft is formed of an interior structural stent member, and an outer layer or coating of the porous, microcellular foam. The method of making the composite metal and polymer vascular graft involves providing an interior structural stent member with an outer layer or coating of the porous, microcellular foam, and can further comprise the step of loading a therapeutic drug into the outer layer of the porous, microcellular foam for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A stent cover for use with a stent for controlled release of therapeutic drugs by a stent for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel, comprising:
a tubular member formed of at least one layer of a porous, open-celled microcellular foam of a polymeric material formed by dissolving an inert gas in the polymeric material at an initial temperature and pressure and creating microvoids in the polymeric material by changing the pressure or temperature of the polymeric material, said porous open-celled microcellular foam being capable of absorbing and releasing therapeutic drugs at predictable rates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A composite metal and polymer vascular graft for controlled release of therapeutic drugs by a stent for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel, comprising:
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an inner structural stent member; and
an outer layer formed of at least one layer of a porous, open-celled microcellular foam of a polymeric material formed by dissolving an inert gas in the polymeric material at an initial temperature and pressure and creating microvoids in the polymeric material by changing the pressure or temperature of the polymeric material, said porous open-celled microcellular foam being capable of absorbing and releasing therapeutic drugs at predictable rates for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of making a composite metal and polymer vascular graft or coated stent, including an inner structural stent member and an outer layer or coating of a porous, open-celled microccllular foam formed from a polymeric material capable of absorbing and releasing therapeutic drugs at predictable rates for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel, comprising the steps of:
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providing an inner structural stent member; and
coating the inner structural stent member with at least one outer layer of a polymeric material, wherein microvoids have been formed in the polymeric material by dissolving an inert gas under pressure in the polymeric material and rapidly changing the temperature or pressure of the polymeric material to form a porous, open-celled microcellular foam from the polymeric material, said porous, open-celled microcellular foam being capable of absorbing and releasing therapeutic drugs at predictable rates for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in a blood vessel. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A stent cover for use with a stent for controlled release of a therapeutic drug or agent for delivery of the therapeutic drug or agent in drug therapy in a lumen of a body vessel, comprising:
a tubular member formed of at least one layer of a porous, open-celled microcellular foam of a polymeric material formed by dissolving an inert gas in a preform of the polymeric material at an initial temperature and pressure and creating microvoids in the polymeric material by changing the pressure or temperature of the preform of the polymeric material, said porous open-celled microcellular foam being capable of releasing a therapeutic drug or agent. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A composite metal and polymer vascular graft for controlled release of a therapeutic drug or agent for delivery of the therapeutic drug or agent in drug therapy in a lumen of a body vessel, comprising:
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an inner structural stent member; and
an outer layer formed of at least one layer of a porous, open-celled microcellular foam of a polymeric material formed by dissolving an inert gas in a preform of the polymeric material at an initial temperature and pressure and creating microvoids in the preform of the polymeric material by changing the pressure or temperature of the preform of the polymeric material, said porous open-celled microccllular foam being capable of releasing a therapeutic drug or agent. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A method of making a composite metal and polymer vascular graft or coated stent, including an inner structural stent member and an outer layer or coating of a porous, open-celled microcellular foam formed from a polymeric material capable of releasing a therapeutic drug or agent for delivery of the therapeutic drug or agent in drug therapy in a lumen of a body vessel, comprising the steps of:
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providing an inner structural stent member; and
coating the inner structural stent member with at least one outer layer of a polymeric material, wherein microvoids have been formed in a preform of the polymeric material by dissolving an inert gas under pressure in the preform of the polymeric material and rapidly changing the temperature or pressure of the preform of the polymeric material to form a porous, open-celled microcellular foam from the preform of the polymeric material capable of releasing a therapeutic drug or agent. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A stent cover for use with a stent for controlled release of therapeutic drugs by a stent for delivery of the therapeutic drugs in localized drug therapy in blood vessel, comprising:
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a tubular member formed of at least one layer of a porous, microcellular foam with an open-celled reticulated structure;
wherein the microcellular foam is formed by dissolving an inert gas in a preform of a polymeric material at an initial temperature and pressure and creating microvoids in the preform of the polymeric material by changing the pressure or temperature of the preform of the polymeric material, said porous open-celled microcellular foam being capable of absorbing and releasing therapeutic drugs at predictable rates.
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Specification