Abstract: A bioresorbable drug delivery stent includes a substantially cylindrical expandable stent formed of a bioresorbable or bioresorbable material and a plurality of reservoirs or openings formed in the stent containing a beneficial agent matrix comprising a bioresorbable material and a drug. The bioresorbable stent material can be a bioresorbable metal alloy, a bioresorbable polymer, or other bioresorbable material which has sufficient structural integrity to support a lumen, such as a blood vessel lumen for a predetermined period of time. The reservoirs containing the beneficial agent matrix allow delivery of the beneficial agent, such as an anti-restenotic drug, for an administration period which is generally equal to or less than a time that the bioresorbable stent is retained in the lumen.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the level of restenosis following a stent placement medical intervention involves the continuous administration of a dose of an anti-restenotic agent , such as paclitaxel, from the stent to vascular tissue in need of treatment in a controlled, extended ,and substantially linear drug release profile. The method of substantially linear extended release increases the therapeutic effectiveness of administration of a given dosage. In one example, a method of reducing restenosis includes delivering paclitaxel from a stent to an artery at a minimum release rate of 1 percent of the total dosage of paclitaxel on the stent per day throughout an entire administration period from the time of implantation of the stent until the time that substantially all the paclitaxel is released from the stent.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for treatment of vulnerable plaque provide local delivery of one or more plaque stabilizing agents. Delivery of the plaque stabilizing agents described herein stabilize vulnerable plaques at and downstream of an implantation site can reduce the occurrence of rupture of these plaques. An expandable medical device for delivering a therapeutic agent locally to a vulnerable plaque includes an implantable medical device body configured to be implanted within a coronary artery, and a therapeutic dosage of a therapeutic agent for stabilization of vulnerable plaque. The therapeutic agent is affixed in openings in the implantable medical device body in a manner such that the therapeutic agent is released to the vulnerable plaque at a therapeutic dosage and over an administration period effective to stabilize the vulnerable plaque.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the local delivery of therapeutic agents reduces myocardial tissue damage due to ischemia. A local delivery device is used for delivery of the therapeutic agents into a coronary artery which feeds the ischemic myocardial tissue. According to one example, an implantable medical device for delivering insulin locally to myocardial tissue includes a therapeutic dosage of insulin in a biocompatible polymer affixed to a stent. The therapeutic dosage of insulin is released from the stent at a therapeutic dosage and over an administration period effective to reduce ischemic injury of the myocardial tissue.

Abstract: A method for treating blood vessel occlusions in the heart delivers an angiogenic agent from an implantable device locally to the walls of the blood vessel over an extended administration period sufficient to establish self sustaining blood vessels. An expandable medical device for delivery of angiogenic agents includes openings in the expandable medical device struts to deliver one or more angiogenic agents to promote angiogenesis. The device can sequentially deliver a plurality of agents to promote angiogenesis to treat, for example, disorders and conditions associated with chronic total occlusions.