Implantable medical devices

Abstract

Implantable medical devices that include a non-woven framework are described, as well as methods of using such devices to deliver therapeutic compounds to a patient.

1 - 39 . (canceled)  
     
     
         40 . An implantable medical device comprising a non-woven framework and cells, wherein said non-woven framework comprises metal fibers, and pores having an average size of at least 40 μm, and wherein said implantable medical device is implantable and balloon expandable within the vascular system of a mammal.  
     
     
         41 . The implantable medical device of  claim 40 , wherein said pores have an average size of at least 60 μm.  
     
     
         42 . The implantable medical device of  claim 40 , wherein said metal fibers are selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, tantalum, titanium, gold, and platinum.  
     
     
         43 . The implantable medical device of  claim 40 , wherein said metal fibers are stainless steel.  
     
     
         44 . The implantable medical device of  claim 40 , wherein said implantable medical device further comprises an extracellular matrix protein.  
     
     
         45 . The implantable medical device of  claim 44 , wherein said extracellular matrix protein is fibronectin.  
     
     
         46 . The implantable medical device of  claim 44 , wherein said cells are selected from the group consisting of smooth muscle cells, stem cells, fibroblasts, hepatocytes, and endothelial cells.  
     
     
         47 . The implantable medical device of  claim 46 , wherein said cells express a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of vascular endothelial growth factor, natriuretic peptide, prostacyclin synthase, angiostatin, endostatin, erythropoietin, and a marker polypeptide.  
     
     
         48 . The implantable medical device of  claim 40 , wherein said implantable medical device comprises a stent having an interior and an exterior surface.  
     
     
         49 . The implantable medical device of  claim 48 , wherein said non-woven framework is attached to at least a portion of said exterior surface.  
     
     
         50 . The implantable medical device of  claim 48 , wherein said stent is fabricated from said non-woven framework.  
     
     
         51 . An implantable medical device comprising cells and a plurality of surfaces, wherein at least a portion of at least one of said plurality of surfaces comprises a non-woven framework, wherein said non-woven framework comprising pores having an average size of at least 40 μm, and wherein said implantable medical device is implantable and balloon expandable within the vascular system of a mammal.  
     
     
         52 . The implantable medical device of  claim 51 , wherein said non-woven framework comprises metal fibers.  
     
     
         53 . The implantable medical device of  claim 51 , wherein said non-woven framework comprises an inert polymer.  
     
     
         54 . The implantable medical device of  claim 53 , wherein said inert polymer is polyethylene terephthalate or polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         55 . The implantable medical device of  claim 53 , wherein said inert polymer is bioresorbable.  
     
     
         56 . The implantable medical device of  claim 55 , wherein said inert polymer is polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, or poly (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine).  
     
     
         57 . The implantable medical device of  claim 51  wherein said non-woven framework further comprises an extracellular matrix protein.  
     
     
         58 . The implantable medical device of  claim 57 , wherein said extracellular matrix protein is fibronectin.  
     
     
         59 . The implantable medical device of  claim 58 , wherein said cells are selected from the group consisting of smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, hepatocytes, and endothelial cells.  
     
     
         60 . The implantable medical device of  claim 59 , wherein said cells express a polypeptide selected from the group consisting of vascular endothelial growth factor, natriuretic peptide, prostacyclin synthase, angiostatin, endostatin, erythropoietin, and a marker polypeptide.  
     
     
         61 . The implantable medical device of  claim 60 , wherein said cells comprise a nucleic acid construct, said nucleic acid construct comprising a regulatory element operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding said polypeptide.  
     
     
         62 . The implantable medical device of  claim 61 , wherein said regulatory element is inducible.  
     
     
         63 . The implantable medical device of  claim 52 , wherein said metal fibers are selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, tantalum, titanium, gold, and platinum.  
     
     
         64 . The implantable medical device of  claim 52 , wherein said metal fibers are stainless steel.  
     
     
         65 . The implantable medical device of  claim 51 , wherein said non-woven framework comprises pores having an average size of at least 60 μM.  
     
     
         66 . The implantable medical device of  claim 51 , wherein said implantable medical device is a stent.  
     
     
         67 . The implantable medical device of  claim 51 , wherein said implantable medical device is a vascular graft.  
     
     
         68 . The implantable medical device of  claim 66 , wherein said stent is balloon expandable or self-expanding.  
     
     
         69 . The implantable medical device of  claim 66 , wherein said stent is composed of stainless steel, titanium, tantalum, platinum, platinum alloys, or a nickel-titanium alloy.  
     
     
         70 . The implantable medical device of  claim 52 , wherein said non-woven framework is fused to at least a portion of at least one of said plurality of surfaces.