Radio-opaque polymeric biomaterials

Abstract

Iodinated and/or brominated derivatives of aromatic dihydroxy monomers are prepared and polymerized to form radio-opaque polymers. The monomers may also be copolymerized with other dihydroxy monomers. The iodinated and brominated aromatic dihydroxy monomers can be employed as radio-opacifying, biocompatible non-toxic additives for other polymeric biomaterials. Radio-opaque medical implants and drug delivery devices for implantation prepared from the polymers of the present invention are also disclosed.

1 . A radio-opaque polymer comprising monomeric repeating units with one or more iodine or bromine substituted aromatic rings.  
     
     
         2 . The radio-opaque polymer of  claim 1 , comprising aromatic rings with more than one iodine or bromine ring-substituent.  
     
     
         3 . The radio-opaque polymer of  claim 1 , comprising a poly(alkylene oxide) block copolymer.  
     
     
         4 . A tissue-implantable or blood-contacting radio-opaque medical device comprising the radio-opaque polymer of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         5 . The radio-opaque medical device of  claim 4 , wherein said device is formed from or coated with said radio-opaque polymer.  
     
     
         6 . An angioplastic stent coated with or formed from the radio-opaque polymer of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         7 . A drug delivery device comprising a biologically or pharmaceutically active compound in combination with a polymer of  claim 1 , wherein said active compound is present in an amount effective for therapeutic site-specific or systemic drug delivery.  
     
     
         8 . The drug delivery device of  claim 7 , wherein said active compound is covalently bonded to said polymer.  
     
     
         9 . The drug delivery device of  claim 7 , wherein said active compound is physically admixed with said polymer or physically embedded or dispersed in a matrix formed by said polymer.  
     
     
         10 . A method of producing a radio-opaque polymer comprising polymerizing a monomer comprising an iodide- or bromide-substituted aromatic ring, in the presence or absence of other polymerizable compounds.  
     
     
         11 . A biocompatible angioplastic stent formed from or coated with a biocompatible polymer, said polymer comprising a drug for delivery by said stent, wherein said drug is physically admixed with said polymer or said drug is a pendant group covalently bonded to said polymer.