Nanoparticle loaded electrospun implants or coatings for drug release

Abstract

Medical devices, such as stents, including a fibrous layer including particles are disclosed. Methods of forming such medical devices using electrospinning are disclosed.

1 . A stent comprising:
 a stent scaffolding composed of a plurality of fibrous structural elements, wherein the fibrous structural elements are composed of a network of polymer fibers, wherein the fibrous structural elements include particles that are encapsulated within the fibers, partially encapsulated within the fibers, and entrapped between the fibers of the fibrous layer.   
     
     
         2 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer fibers are formed from a hydrogel, shape memory polymer, bioabsorbable polymer, biostable polymer, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the particles are formed from biostable polymer; a bioabsorbable polymer; a biosoluble material; a biopolymer; a biostable metal; a bioerodible metal; a block copolymer of a bioabsorbable polymer or a biopolymer; a ceramic material such as a bioabsorbable glass; salts; fullerenes; lipids; and carbon nanotubes. 
     
     
         4 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous network exhibits shape memory properties. 
     
     
         5 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the particles, fibers, or both comprise an active agent. 
     
     
         6 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein an average pore size of the fibrous layer is 250 nm-20 μm. 
     
     
         7 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein a void fraction of the fibrous layer is 20-85%. 
     
     
         8 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein a concentration of particles in the structural elements is 0.5-50 vol %. 
     
     
         9 . The stent of  claim 1 , wherein the fibers are composed of poly(L-lactide).