Reflowed drug-polymer coated stent and method thereof

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of forming a drug-polymer coated stent. A polymeric coating is applied onto at least a portion of a stent framework and dried. A jet of heated gas is directed towards excess coating portions of the dried polymeric coating. The excess coating portions, which extend into apertures of the stent framework, are removed from the apertures of the stent framework by reflowing the polymeric coating with the directed jet of heated gas. A drug-polymer coated stent with a reflowed drug-polymer coating and a system for treating a vascular condition are also disclosed.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 . A drug-polymer coated stent, comprising: 
 a stent framework; and    a drug-polymer coating disposed on the stent framework, the drug-polymer coating including a reflowed portion proximate to apertures in the stent framework.    
     
     
         14 . The stent of  claim 13  wherein the stent framework comprises one of a metallic base or a polymeric base including a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, nitinol, tantalum, MP35N alloy, platinum, titanium, a chromium-based alloy, a cobalt-based alloy, a suitable biocompatible alloy, a suitable biocompatible material, a biocompatible polymer, and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The stent of  claim 13  wherein the drug-polymer coating comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol), poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate), polyurethane, polycaprolactone, polyglycolide, poly(lactide-co-glycolide), poly(ethylene oxide), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), silicone, an acrylic polymer, an acrylic and acrylonitrile copolymer, a latex polymer, a thermoplastic polymer, a thermoset polymer, a biostable polymer, a biodegradable polymer, a blended polymer, a copolymer, and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The stent of  claim 13  wherein the drug-polymer coating comprises at least one therapeutic agent selected from the group consisting of rapamycin, a rapamycin derivative, a rapamycin analogue, an antirestenotic drug, an anti-cancer agent, an antisense agent, an antineoplastic agent, an antiproliferative agent, an antithrombogenic agent, an anticoagulant, an antiplatelet agent, an antibiotic, an anti-inflammatory agent, a steroid, a gene therapy agent, a therapeutic substance, an organic drug, a pharmaceutical compound, a recombinant DNA product, a recombinant RNA product, a collagen, a collagenic derivative, a protein, a protein analog, a saccharide, a saccharide derivative, a bioactive agent, a pharmaceutical drug, and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The stent of  claim 13  further comprising: 
 a cap coating disposed on the reflowed drug-polymer coating.    
     
     
         18 . A system for treating a vascular condition, comprising: 
 a catheter; and    a drug-polymer coated stent coupled to the catheter, the drug-polymer coated stent including a stent framework having a reflowed portion proximate to apertures in the stent framework.    
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the catheter includes a balloon to expand the stent.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18  wherein the catheter includes a sheath that retracts to allow expansion of the stent.