Coated stent

Abstract

A pharmacological agent is applied to a stent in dry, micronized form over a sticky base coating. A membrane forming polymer, selected for its ability to allow the diffusion of the pharmacological agent therethrough, is applied over the entire stent.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method for coating a stent, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a stent;    applying a base layer of sticky material to selected surfaces of said stent;    applying pharmacological agent in micronized, dry form to selected surfaces coated by said base layer; and    applying a membrane forming polymer coating through which said pharmacological agent is able to diffuse to all surfaces of said stent.    
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said base layer is applied to all surfaces of said stent.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said stent is masked so as to apply said base layer to only selected surfaces of said stent.  
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said pharmacological agent is applied to all surfaces having said base layer applied thereto.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said stent is masked so as to apply said pharmacological agent to only selected surfaces coated with said base coat.  
     
     
         6 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein a plurality of pharmacological agents are applied to selected surfaces having said base layer applied thereto.  
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 6   , wherein said plurality of pharmacological agents comprises a uniform mixture.  
     
     
         8 . The method of    claim 6   , wherein selected pharmacological agents of said plurality of pharmacological agents are applied.  
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein, the base layer is selected from the group consisting of vitronectin, fibronectin, gelatin and collagen.  
     
     
         10 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said base layer is applied by dipping.  
     
     
         11 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said pharmacological agent is applied by rolling said stent in a mass of said pharmacological agent.  
     
     
         12 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said pharmacological agent is applied by blowing said dry, micronized particles onto said stent.  
     
     
         13 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said membrane forming polymer comprises EVa.  
     
     
         14 . The method of    claim 1   , wherein said membrane forming polymer comprises a fluoropolymer film.  
     
     
         15 . A coated stent, comprising: 
 an expandable structure;    a base coating of sticky material;    an intermediate coating of pharmacological agent in dry, micronized form; and    an outer coating of membrane forming polymer through which said pharmacological agent is capable of diffusing.    
     
     
         16 . The coated stent of    claim 12   , wherein said base coating is present on only selected surfaces of said expandable structure.  
     
     
         17 . The coated stent of    claim 12   , wherein said pharmacological agent is present on only selected base coated surfaces.  
     
     
         18 . The coated stent of    claim 12   , wherein said intermediate coating comprises a plurality of pharmacological agents.  
     
     
         19 . The coated stent of    claim 15   , wherein said plurality of pharmacological agents is homogeneously distributed throughout said intermediate coating.  
     
     
         20 . The coated stent of    claim 15   , wherein said plurality of pharmacological agents is heterogeneously distributed throughout said intermediate coating.  
     
     
         21 . The coated stent of    claim 17   , wherein said expandable structure has exterior surfaces and interior surfaces and wherein a first of said plurality of pharmacological agents is distributed on said exterior surfaces and a second of said pharmacological agents is distributed on said interior surfaces.  
     
     
         22 . The coated stent of    claim 12   , wherein said outer coating comprises EVA.  
     
     
         23 . The coated stent of    claim 12   , wherein said outer coating comprises a fluoropolymer film.