A biocompatible carrier and a composition for forming the carrier are disclosed. The carrier is made from an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer which can serve as a reservoir, allowing for the local delivery and sustained release of actinomycin D. The carrier can be formed from the ethylene vinyl alcohol, copolymer, a dimethylsulfoxide solvent, and actinomycin D. Alternatively, the carrier can be formed from an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, a dimethylsulfoxide solvent, actinornycin D, and a wetting fluid. The carrier can serve as a coating for a prosthesis, for example a stent. The composition is applied to a surface of the prosthesis and essentially all of the dimethylsulfoxide solvent or dimethylsulfoxide solvent/wetting fluid is removed or allowed to evaporate to form the coating.
CROSS-REFERENCE
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/540,242, filed on Mar. 31, 2000, and is a continuation-in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/470,559, filed on Dec. 23, 1999, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/390,855, filed Sep. 3, 1999 and U.S. Pat. No. 09/390,069, filed Sep. 3, 1999.
A composition comprising an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer and a dimethyl acetamide solvent is provided for forming a coating on prostheses such as stents. The composition can include an active agent or therapeutic substance. Methods are also provided for coating the stents.
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device having an interior is provided that includes holding the medical appliance from an outside surface, inserting a spray nozzle in a first opening accessing the interior of the medical appliance, and spraying the coating on an inside surface of the medical appliance with the spray nozzle. The method may include inserting a further spray nozzle in a second opening accessing the interior of the medical appliance. The spray nozzle and the further spray nozzle may be opposingly arranged to form a radial nozzle. A device adapted to hold a medical appliance is provided that includes at least two wires and a tensioning arrangement adapted to introduce tension into the two wires. The at least two wires may be adapted to support the medical appliance from an exterior of the medical appliance. An apparatus for coating an interior of a medical appliance is provided. A medical appliance having a differential coating applied by the method is provided. An apparatus for coating an exterior of a medical appliance is provided.
Coatings for implantable devices or endoluminal prosthesis, such as stents, are provided, including a method of forming the coatings. The coatings can be used for the delivery of an active ingredient or a combination of active ingredients.
