Medical devices and methods of making the same

Abstract

Medical devices, such as endoprostheses, and related methods are disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An endoprosthesis, comprising:
 a generally tubular member comprising a bioerodible material selected from the group consisting of bioerodible metals, bioerodible metal alloys, and combinations thereof, the generally tubular member having a first region defining an interior surface of the generally tubular member and a second region defining an exterior surface of the generally tubular member,   wherein the first region has a first pore density, and the second region has a second pore density that is higher than the first pore density.   
     
     
         2 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 1 , further comprising a polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 2 , wherein the polymer is supported by the generally tubular member. 
     
     
         4 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 2 , wherein the polymer is disposed within the first and/or second groups of said pores of the generally tubular member. 
     
     
         5 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 2 , comprising a composite including a therapeutic agent and the polymer. 
     
     
         6 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the generally tubular member includes an exterior surface and an interior surface defining the lumen, and the first region of the at least one component defines at least a portion of the interior surface. 
     
     
         7 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 6 , wherein the second region of the at least one component defines at least a portion of the exterior surface. 
     
     
         8 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the first region has a first average pore volume and the second region has a second average pore volume that is greater than the first pore density. 
     
     
         9 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 1 , wherein the first region and the second region each comprise non-interconnected pores. 
     
     
         10 . An endoprosthesis, comprising:
 a generally tubular member comprising a bioerodible material selected from the group consisting of bioerodible metals, bioerodible metal alloys, and combinations thereof, the generally tubular member having at least one pore; and   a polymer disposed within the at least one pore.   
     
     
         11 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 10 , wherein the polymer is bioerodible. 
     
     
         12 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 10 , comprising a composite including the polymer and the therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         13 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 10 , wherein the generally tubular member comprises a plurality of non-interconnected pores. 
     
     
         14 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 13 , wherein the generally tubular member comprises at least a first porous region and a second porous region. 
     
     
         15 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 14 , the non-interconnected closed pores in the first porous region have a first average volume and the non-interconnected closed pores in the second porous region having a second average volume that is greater than the first average volume. 
     
     
         16 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 14 , the non-interconnected closed pores in the first porous region have a first pore density and the non-interconnected closed pores in the second porous region having a second pore density that is greater than the first pore density. 
     
     
         17 . An endoprosthesis, comprising:
 a generally tubular member having a lumen and including at least one component selected from the group consisting of struts, bands, and combinations thereof,   wherein the at least one component comprises a reservoir surrounded by a matrix having at least one pore and comprising a bioerodible material selected from the group consisting of bioerodible metals, bioerodible metal alloys, and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         18 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 17 , wherein the reservoir contains a therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         19 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 17 , wherein the reservoir comprises a plurality of non-interconnected pores. 
     
     
         20 . The endoprosthesis of  claim 19 , wherein the reservoir comprises at least a first porous region and a second porous region having different average pore densities or different average pore volumes.