US6506437B1 — Methods of coating an implantable device having d…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 130 words

A method of depositing a polymer into a plurality of depots formed in an outer surface of a stent comprising: applying a composition comprising a polymer and a solvent to said plurality of depots, wherein said act of applying said composition is performed at a first gas pressure; applying a second gas pressure to said composition in said depots, wherein said second gas pressure is greater than said first gas pressure and less than the pressure which causes phase separation or precipitation of said polymer in said composition, and wherein said second gas pressure is sufficient to remove air pockets from said composition in said depots; and removing said solvent from said composition, wherein a polymeric deposit is formed substantially free from air pockets in said depots of said stent.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 130 words

A method of depositing a polymer into a plurality of depots formed in an outer surface of a stent comprising: applying a composition comprising a polymer and a solvent to said plurality of depots, wherein said act of applying said composition is performed at a first gas pressure; applying a second gas pressure to said composition in said depots, wherein said second gas pressure is greater than said first gas pressure and less than the pressure which causes phase separation or precipitation of said polymer in said composition, and wherein said second gas pressure is sufficient to remove air pockets from said composition in said depots; and removing said solvent from said composition, wherein a polymeric deposit is formed substantially free from air pockets in said depots of said stent.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises a therapeutic substance.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 2 , wherein said therapeutic substance is selected from a group consisting of antineoplastic, antimitotic, antiinflammatory, antiplatelet, anticoagulant, antifibrin, antithrombin, antiproliferative, antibiotic, antioxidant, and antiallergic substances and combinations thereof.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 2 , wherein said therapeutic substance is selected from a group consisting of radioisotopes and radiopaque substances.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein said second gas pressure is a gauge pressure of about 29.4 PSI to about 58.8 PSI.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein said second gas pressure is greater than atmospheric pressure.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of applying said composition to said depots comprises applying said composition to said stent and allowing said composition to penetrate into said depots.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 7 , further comprising removing said composition from portions of said outer surface of said stent outside of said depots.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a polymeric topcoat at least over said depots.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein said second pressure is applied for a duration of about 0.5 minutes to about 20 minutes.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 1 , wherein said first pressure is at least atmospheric pressure.

Claim 13

Independent Claim 135 words

A method of loading a substance into a plurality of depots of a stent comprising: applying a composition including a polymer and a solvent to said depots, said composition having a polymer content between about 0.5% and 20% by weight, and wherein said act of applying said composition is performed at a first gas pressure of at least atmospheric pressure; placing the stent in a sealable pressure chamber; and applying a second gas pressure to said composition, said second gas pressure being a gauge pressure of about 29.4 PSI to about 58.8 PSI, wherein said second gas pressure is greater than said first gas pressure and less than the pressure which causes phase separation or precipitation of said polymer in said composition and is sufficient to remove air pockets from said composition in said depots.

Claim 14

Independent Claim 135 words

A method of loading a substance into a plurality of depots of a stent comprising: applying a composition including a polymer and a solvent to said depots, said composition having a polymer content between about 0.5% and 20% by weight, and wherein said act of applying said composition is performed at a first gas pressure of at least atmospheric pressure; placing the stent in a sealable pressure chamber; and applying a second gas pressure to said composition, said second gas pressure being a gauge pressure of about 29.4 PSI to about 58.8 PSI, wherein said second gas pressure is greater than said first gas pressure and less than the pressure which causes phase separation or precipitation of said polymer in said composition and is sufficient to remove air pockets from said composition in said depots.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 12 , wherein said polymer is selected from a group consisting of bioabsorbable polymers, biomolecules, and biostable polymers.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 13 , wherein said composition further comprises a therapeutic substance.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method of claim 14 , wherein said therapeutic substance is selected from a group consisting of antineoplastic, antimitotic, antiinflammatory, antiplatelet, anticoagulant, antifibrin, antithrombin, antiproliferative, antibiotic, antioxidant, and antiallergic substances and combinations thereof.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 14 , wherein said therapeutic substance is selected from a group consisting of radioisotopes.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 14 , further comprising applying a polymeric topcoat over said depots.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 12 , further comprising removing said solvent from said composition.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 12 , wherein said second pressure is applied for a duration of about 0.5 minutes to about 20 minutes.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 123 words

A method of depositing a substance in depots of an implantable device, comprising: applying said substance in a liquid carrier to said device wherein said substance and said liquid carrier are allowed to penetrate into said depots; placing said device in a sealable pressure chamber; applying a first pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to said device so as to significantly reduce the size of the air pockets in said depots; removing said liquid carrier from said device while applying a second pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to maintain the reduced size of the air pockets; and applying a third pressure to said device subsequent to said removal of said liquid carrier wherein said third pressure is less than said first and second pressures.

Claim 23

Independent Claim 123 words

A method of depositing a substance in depots of an implantable device, comprising: applying said substance in a liquid carrier to said device wherein said substance and said liquid carrier are allowed to penetrate into said depots; placing said device in a sealable pressure chamber; applying a first pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to said device so as to significantly reduce the size of the air pockets in said depots; removing said liquid carrier from said device while applying a second pressure greater than atmospheric pressure to maintain the reduced size of the air pockets; and applying a third pressure to said device subsequent to said removal of said liquid carrier wherein said third pressure is less than said first and second pressures.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 20 , wherein said substance is a polymer.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 20 , wherein said substance is a drug.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 20 , wherein said substance is a mixture of a polymer and a drug.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 20 , wherein said first pressure does not cause phase separation or precipitation of said substance in said liquid carrier.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 16 words

The method of claim 20 , wherein said first pressure is equal to said second pressure.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 22 words

The method of claim 20 , wherein said application of said substance is performed while said device is in said pressure chamber.

Claim 30

Independent Claim 78 words

A method of depositing a substance in depots of a stent, comprising: applying a composition including a substance to said stent wherein said composition penetrates into said depots of said stent; and applying a pressure to said composition to essentially remove air pockets or reduce the size of air pockets from said composition in said depots, wherein said pressure does not cause phase separation or precipitation of said substance in said composition in said depots of said stent.

Claim 31

Independent Claim 78 words

A method of depositing a substance in depots of a stent, comprising: applying a composition including a substance to said stent wherein said composition penetrates into said depots of said stent; and applying a pressure to said composition to essentially remove air pockets or reduce the size of air pockets from said composition in said depots, wherein said pressure does not cause phase separation or precipitation of said substance in said composition in said depots of said stent.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 27 , wherein said substance includes a drug.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 27 , wherein said substance includes a polymer.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 27 , wherein said substance is a mixture of a polymer and a drug.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method of claim 27 , wherein said composition includes a solvent and wherein said method additionally comprises allowing said solvent to evaporate.

Claim 36

Independent Claim 101 words

A method of depositing a substance in depots of an implantable device, comprising: applying said substance in a liquid carrier to said device wherein said substance and said liquid carrier are allowed to penetrate into said depots; placing said device in a sealable pressure chamber; applying a first pressure to said device so as to significantly eliminate or reduce the size of the air pockets in said depots; removing said liquid carrier from said device; and applying a second pressure to said device subsequent to said removal of said liquid carrier wherein said second pressure is less than said first pressure.

Claim 37

Independent Claim 101 words

A method of depositing a substance in depots of an implantable device, comprising: applying said substance in a liquid carrier to said device wherein said substance and said liquid carrier are allowed to penetrate into said depots; placing said device in a sealable pressure chamber; applying a first pressure to said device so as to significantly eliminate or reduce the size of the air pockets in said depots; removing said liquid carrier from said device; and applying a second pressure to said device subsequent to said removal of said liquid carrier wherein said second pressure is less than said first pressure.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2006-01-13	2006-07-15	2007-01-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2010-01-13	2010-07-15	2011-01-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2014-01-13	2014-07-15	2015-01-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Methods of coating an implantable device having depots formed in a surface thereof

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