The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 27, 2005
Filed:
Oct. 23, 2000
Steven Z. Wu, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Deborra Sanders-millare, San Jose, CA (US);
Sameer Harish, Fremont, CA (US);
Ryan J. Santos, San Jose, CA (US);
LI Chen, San Jose, CA (US);
Steven Z. Wu, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Deborra Sanders-Millare, San Jose, CA (US);
Sameer Harish, Fremont, CA (US);
Ryan J. Santos, San Jose, CA (US);
Li Chen, San Jose, CA (US);
Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus and associated method for delivering a therapeutic substance to a vascular lumen, using an implantable prosthesis, such as a stent, which has grooves or trenches formed thereon. The grooves are formed on specific regions of the stent struts to increase the flexibility of the stent. The grooves also provide a therapeutic material carrying capability for treating intravascular ailments, such as instent restenosis and thrombosis. The therapeutic material loading of the grooves can be accomplished in several ways. For example, a pure therapeutic material or a pre-mixed material with a polymer solution, which enhances the adhesion properties of the material, may be deposited directly in to the grooves using conventional spray or modified dip techniques. In another example, a microextruded monofilament therapeutic material can be wound about the stent, such that the monofilament becomes embedded in the grooves.