Method and system of controlled temperature mixing and molding of polymers with active agents for implantable medical devices
First Claim
1. A method of making a composition for use in manufacturing an implantable medical device, comprising:
- introducing a polymer into a first segment of an extruder of a mixing apparatus allowing the polymer to flow out of an outlet of the extruder;
introducing an active agent into a second segment of the extruder, the second segment located between the first segment and the outlet;
removing impurities from the polymer while the polymer is in the apparatus;
mixing the active agent with the polymer in the apparatus to form a polymer mixture;
preventing degradation of at least some of the active agent, including controlling a temperature of the polymer mixture in at least a portion of the apparatus, wherein controlling the temperature is performed at least by either one or both of;
(1) cooling a solvent, without the active agent, to a temperature below an ambient room temperature followed by introducing the cooled solvent, without the active agent, into the extruder, and(2) cooling a mixture of the solvent and the active agent to a temperature below an ambient room temperature followed by introducing the cooled mixture of the solvent and the active agent into the extruder; and
removing the polymer mixture from the apparatus, wherein the polymer mixture is for use as a coating for an implantable medical device, or fabricating an implantable medical device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for making a composition for use in manufacturing an implantable medical device, such as a drug-eluting and/or delivery stent, is described. The method includes introducing a polymer, active agent, and a solvent into a mixing apparatus such as an extruder. The polymer, active agent, and solvent may be mixed in the apparatus to form a homogeneous or substantially homogeneous polymer mixture. The method may further include controlling a temperature of the polymer mixture in at least a portion of the apparatus. In an embodiment, the polymer mixture may be used as a coating for an implantable medical device, or fabricating an implantable medical device. The invention also includes a composition formed by the method described above.
323 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method of making a composition for use in manufacturing an implantable medical device, comprising:
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introducing a polymer into a first segment of an extruder of a mixing apparatus allowing the polymer to flow out of an outlet of the extruder; introducing an active agent into a second segment of the extruder, the second segment located between the first segment and the outlet; removing impurities from the polymer while the polymer is in the apparatus; mixing the active agent with the polymer in the apparatus to form a polymer mixture; preventing degradation of at least some of the active agent, including controlling a temperature of the polymer mixture in at least a portion of the apparatus, wherein controlling the temperature is performed at least by either one or both of; (1) cooling a solvent, without the active agent, to a temperature below an ambient room temperature followed by introducing the cooled solvent, without the active agent, into the extruder, and (2) cooling a mixture of the solvent and the active agent to a temperature below an ambient room temperature followed by introducing the cooled mixture of the solvent and the active agent into the extruder; and removing the polymer mixture from the apparatus, wherein the polymer mixture is for use as a coating for an implantable medical device, or fabricating an implantable medical device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of making a composition for use in manufacturing an implantable medical device, comprising:
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introducing a polymer into a first segment of an extruder; allowing the polymer to flow out of a die of the extruder; introducing an active agent into a second segment of the extruder, the second segment located between the first segment and the die; mixing the active agent with the polymer in the extruder to form a polymer mixture; controlling the temperature of the polymer mixture in at least a portion of the extruder by introducing a solvent into the extruder, wherein controlling the temperature includes varying the temperature of the solvent being introduced into the extruder; and removing the polymer mixture from the apparatus, wherein the polymer mixture is for use as a coating for an implantable medical device or is for fabricating an implantable medical device. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A method of making a composition for use in manufacturing an implantable medical device, comprising:
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introducing a polymer into a first segment of an extruder; allowing the polymer to flow out of a die of the extruder; introducing an active agent into a second segment of the extruder, the second segment located between the first segment and the die; mixing the active agent with the polymer in the extruder to form a polymer mixture; controlling the temperature of the polymer mixture in at least a portion of the extruder by introducing a solvent into the extruder; and removing the polymer mixture from the apparatus, wherein the polymer mixture is for use as a coating for an implantable medical device or is for fabricating an implantable medical device.
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Specification