Abstract: An implant having a coating comprising a polymer matrix is swollen in a pharmaceutical solution whereby pharmaceutically active compound is imbibed into the polymer matrix. When the product is implanted, release of the pharmaceutically active compound from the coating takes place. The polymer is preferably formed from ethylenically unsaturated monomers including a zwitterionic monomer, most preferably 2-methacryloyloxyethyl-2?-trimethylammoniumethyl-phosphate inner salt. The monomers from which the polymer is formed may further include surface binding monomers, such as hydrophobic group containing monomers, and crosslinkable monomers, the content of which may be used to control the swellability. Preferably the implant is a stent and the coating of polymer on the exterior wall surface is thicker than the coating of polymer on the interior surface. Release of the drug may be controlled by selection of comonomers. The implant is suitably a stent for use in the cardiovascular system.

Abstract: An implant having a coating comprising a polymer matrix is swollen in a pharmaceutical solution whereby pharmaceutically active compound is imbibed into the polymer matrix. When the product is implanted, release of the pharmaceutically active compound from the coating takes place. The polymer is preferably formed from ethylenically unsaturated monomers including a zwitterionic monomer, most preferably 2-methacryloyloxyethyl-2?-trimethylammoniumethylphosphate inner salt. The monomers from which the polymer is formed may further include surface binding monomers, such as hydrophobic group containing monomers, and crosslinkable monomers, the content of which may be used to control the swellability. Preferably the implant is a stent and the coating of polymer on the exterior wall surface is thicker than the coating of polymer on the interior surface. Release of the drug may be controlled by selection of comonomers. The implant is suitably a stent for use in the cardiovascular system.

Abstract: An implant having a coating comprising a polymer matrix is swollen in a pharmaceutical solution whereby pharmaceutically active compound is imbibed into the polymer matrix. When the product is implanted, release of the pharmaceutically active compound from the coating takes place. The polymer is preferably formed from ethylenically unsaturated monomers including a zwitterionic monomer, most preferably 2-methacryloyloxyethyl-2′-trimethylammoniumethylphosphate inner salt. The monomers from which the polymer is formed may further include surface binding monomers, such as hydrophobic group containing monomers, and crosslinkable monomers, the content of which may be used to control the swellability. Preferably the implant is a stent and the coating of polymer on the exterior wall surface is thicker than the coating of polymer on the interior surface. Release of the drug may be controlled by selection of comonomers. The implant is suitably a stent for use in the cardiovascular system.

Abstract: An implant, usually a stent, has a coating of a cross-linked water swellable polymer matrix preferably having a dry thickness of at least 0.1 &mgr;m, and a pharmaceutically active compound, the polymer having pendant cationic and pendant zwitterionic groups. The active is usually an anionic compound such as a nucleic acid. The polymer is peferably formed from 2-methacyloy-loxyethyl-2′-trimethylammoniumethyl phosphate inner salt, trialkylammoniumalkyl(meth)acrylate and a cross-linkable monomer such as &ohgr;-(trialkoxysilyl)alkyl(meth)acrylate, optionally with a termonomer such as a higher alkyl (meth)acrylate. The stent is coated with polymer, cross-linked then contacted with a solution or dispersion of active compound in a solvent which swells the polymer whereby the active is absorbed into the polymer matrix. The stent is delivered by usual means into a body lumen and the actives released over an extended period of time into the wall of the lumen and/or fluid flowing therein.

Abstract: An implant, usually a stent, has a coating of a cross-linked water swellable polymer matrix preferably having a dry thickness of at least 0.1 &mgr;m, and a pharmaceutically active compound, the polymer having pendant cationic and pendant zwitterionic groups. The active is usually an anionic compound such as a nucleic acid. The polymer is peferably formed from 2-methacyloyloxyethyl-2′-trimethylammoniumethyl phosphate inner salt, trialkylammoniumalkyl(meth)acrylate and a cross-linkable monomer such as &ohgr;(trialkoxysilyl)alkyl(meth)acrylate, optionally with a termonomer such as a higher alkyl(meth)acrylate. The stent is coated with polymer, cross-linked then contacted with a solution or dispersion of active compound in a solvent which swells the polymer wehereby the active is absorbed into the polymer matrix. The stent is delivered by usual means into a body lumen and the active is released over an extended period of time into the wall of the lumen and/or fluid flowing therein.

Abstract: An implant, usually a stent, has a coating of a cross-linked water swellable polymer matrix preferably having a dry thickness of at least 0.1 &mgr;m, and a pharmaceutically active compound, the polymer having pendant cationic and pendant zwitterionic groups. The active is usually an anionic compound such as a nucleic acid. The polymer is peferably formed from 2-methacyloyloxyethyl-2′-trimethylammoniumethyl phosphate inner salt, trialkylammoniumalkyl(meth)acrylate and a cross-linkable monomer such as &ohgr;(trialkoxysilyl)alkyl(meth)acrylate, optionally with a termonomer such as a higher alkyl(meth)acrylate. The stent is coated with polymer, cross-linked then contacted with a solution or dispersion of active compound in a solvent which swells the polymer wehereby the active is absorbed into the polymer matrix. The stent is delivered by usual means into a body lumen and the active is released over an extended period of time into the wall of the lumen and/or fluid flowing therein.