Loading and release of water-insoluble drugs

Abstract

A medical device, polymer composition, and method for delivering substantially water-insoluble drugs to tissue at desired locations within the body. At least a portion of the exterior surface of the medical device is provided with a polymer coating. Incorporated in the polymer coating is a solution of at least one substantially water-insoluble drug in a volatile organic solvent. The medical device is positioned to a desired target location within the body, whereupon the drug diffuses out of the polymer coating.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An angioplasty method for delivering paclitaxel to an inner wall of a blood vessel of a patient which comprises
 introducing into the blood vessel of the patient an angioplasty balloon of a medical device having an expandable, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon, the balloon having an outer surface and a dried layer comprising paclitaxel on the outer surface of the balloon, said layer being the only layer on the balloon, and wherein the paclitaxel is not incorporated within a containment layer; and   deploying the balloon to perform angioplasty on the vessel.   
     
     
         2 . An angioplasty method for delivering paclitaxel to an inner wall of a blood vessel of a patient which comprises
 introducing into the blood vessel of the patient an angioplasty device of a medical device adapted for introduction into the vascular system of a patient, the medical device including the angioplasty device and a dried layer comprising paclitaxel on an outer surface of the angioplasty device, said layer being the only layer on the angioplasty device, and wherein the paclitaxel is not incorporated within a containment layer; and   deploying the angioplasty device to perform angioplasty on the blood vessel.   
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the dried layer consists essentially of paclitaxel. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the dried layer consists essentially of paclitaxel and at least one other bioactive substance. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the dried layer is characterized by being dried onto the outer surface of the balloon by applying a solution including paclitaxel to the outer surface of the balloon and evaporating solvent from the solution. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the dried layer consists essentially of paclitaxel. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the dried layer consists essentially of paclitaxel and at least one other bioactive substance. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein the dried layer is characterized by being dried onto the outer surface of the angioplasty device by applying a solution including paclitaxel to the outer surface of the angioplasty device and evaporating solvent from the solution.