Radiopaque drug-filled prosthesis and method of making same

Abstract

An implantable prosthesis can comprise a strut having a lumen, and radiopaque particles within the lumen. The radiopaque particles placed within the lumen can improve visualization of the prosthesis during an implantation procedure. The radiopaque particles can be bonded to each other to prevent the radiopaque particles from escaping out of the strut.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of making an implantable prosthesis, the method comprising:
 placing radiopaque particles within a lumen of a strut; and followed by bonding the radiopaque particles to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bonding includes sintering the radiopaque particles together. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bonding includes causing diffusion of atoms from adjoining radiopaque particles to points of contact between the adjoining radiopaque particles. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the bonding includes allowing the points of contact to be separated by gaps between the radiopaque particles, and the gaps contain a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising introducing a therapeutic agent into the lumen and between the radiopaque particles. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the lumen is surrounded by a metal layer of the strut, and the method further comprises forming holes at predetermined locations through the metal layer, the holes allowing the therapeutic agent to be introduced into the lumen or released out from the lumen or both introduced into and released out from the lumen. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein surface areas of the metal layer between the holes are non-porous with respect to the therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lumen is surrounded by a metal layer of the strut, and the method further comprising bonding the radiopaque particles to the metal layer. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the bonding of the radiopaque particles to the metal layer includes causing diffusion of atoms from the radiopaque particles to points of contact between the radiopaque particles and the metal layer.