Radio-opaque polymeric biomaterials

Abstract

Iodinated and/or brominated derivatives of aromatic dihydroxy monomers are prepared and polymerized to form radio-opaque polymers. The monomers may also be copolymerized with other dihydroxy monomers. The iodinated and brominated aromatic dihydroxy monomers can be employed as radio-opacifying, biocompatible non-toxic additives for other polymeric biomaterials. Radio-opaque medical implants and drug delivery devices for implantation prepared from the polymers of the present invention are also disclosed.

1 . A radio-opaque, biocompatible stent comprising a radio-opaque, biocompatible polymer.  
   
   
       2 . The radio-opaque, biocompatible stent of  claim 1  wherein said polymer comprises at least one repeating unit derived from a dihydroxy monomer having at least one iodide or bromide substituent.  
   
   
       3 . The radio-opaque, biocompatible stent of  claim 2  wherein said polymer comprises at least one repeating unit derived from an iodine-substituted dihydroxy monomer.  
   
   
       4 . The radio-opaque, biocompatible stent of  claim 2  wherein said polymer comprises at least one repeating unit derived from a bromine-substituted dihydroxy monomer.  
   
   
       5 . The radio-opaque, biocompatible stent of  claim 2  wherein said dihydroxy monomer is an aromatic dihydroxy monomer ring-substituted with at least one bromine or iodine atom.  
   
   
       6 . The radio-opaque, biocompatible stent of  claim 5  wherein said aromatic dihydroxy monomer is a diphenol compound substituted on at least one ring with at least one bromine or iodine atom.  
   
   
       7 . The radio-opaque, biocompatible stent of  claim 1  wherein said polymer comprises one or more polymeric blocks selected from the group consisting of iodine-containing polyarylates, iodine-containing polycarbonates, bromine-containing polyarylates, bromine-containing polycarbonates, and combinations of two or more thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The radio-opaque, biocompatible stent of  claim 7  wherein said polymer further comprises one or more poly(alkylene oxide) blocks.  
   
   
       9 . The radio-opaque, biocompatible stent of  claim 1  wherein said stent is formed from said polymer.  
   
   
       10 . The radio-opaque, biocompatible stent of  claim 9  wherein said stent is formed via extrusion, compression molding, injection molding, solvent casting, spin casting, or combinations of two or more thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The radio-opaque, biocompatible stent of  claim 1  wherein said stent is coated with said polymer.