Guidewires having a vapor deposited primer coat

Abstract

An intraluminal device having an adhesive primer coat formed of a carbonaceous material and a lubricious top coat of a hydrophilic polymeric material. The invention also comprises the methods of making such intraluminal devices. The primer coat of the invention may comprise pure carbon, or a carbon based material such as a polymer. Preferably, the primer coat has a thickness of about 0.1 to about 2 μm. In a presently preferred embodiment, the primer coat is applied using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), but in certain embodiments, physical vapor deposition (PVD) may be suitable. The deposited primer coat forms an effective substrate for adhesion of the hydrophilic polymer top coat.

1 - 12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . An intraluminal stent having a primer coat formed of carbonaceous material and vapor deposited on at least a portion of the device such that the coated portion is unexposed to a blood flow.  
   
   
       14 . The intraluminal stent of  claim 13 , wherein the primer coat has a uniform thickness of not more than about 2 μm.  
   
   
       15 . The intraluminal stent of  claim 13 , wherein the primer coat is selected from the group consisting of carbon, plasma polymerized nylon, plasma polymerized polyurethane, plasma polymerized polyethylene, and plasma polymerized hydrocarbons.  
   
   
       16 . The intraluminal stent of  claim 13 , wherein the primer coat is vapor deposited on the entire device.  
   
   
       17 . A method of making an intraluminal stent having a lubricious surface, comprising: 
 applying a primer coat formed of a carbonaceous material on at least a portion of the device by vapor deposition; and    applying a hydrophilic polymeric coat on at least a portion of the primer coat.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the primer coat is applied until the primer coat is about 0.1 μm to about 2 μm thick.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the primer coat is applied by chemical vapor deposition.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the primer coat is applied by physical vapor deposition.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the carbonaceous primer coat is substantially pure carbon.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein substantially pure carbon includes source materials such as graphite and pyrolytic carbon.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the substantially pure carbon primer coat is applied on at least a portion of the device by physical vapor deposition.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the primer coat is a carbon-based material.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the carbon-based primer coat is applied on at least a portion of the device by chemical vapor deposition.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the carbon-based primer coat comprises a plasma polymerized coat such that the resulting polymer coat includes an amorphous structure having groups in the structure other than monomer groups of the source materials.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the carbon-based primer coat is selected from the group consisting of plasma polymerized nylon, plasma polymerized polyethylene, plasma polymerized polypropylene, and plasma polymerized polyurethane.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the source materials of the carbon-based primer coat include adipic acid, hexanediamine, and hydrocarbons.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the hydrophilic polymer coat is selected from the group consisting of poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone), polyethylene oxide, and methacrylates.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the hydrophilic polymer coat is applied by vapor deposition.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the hydrophilic polymer coat is applied by dipping.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the hydrophilic polymer coat is applied by spraying.  
   
   
       33 . A method of making an intraluminal stent having a carbonaceous primer coat for facilitating the adhesion of a polymeric top coat, comprising: 
 applying a primer coat formed of a carbonaceous material on at least a portion of the device by vapor deposition.