Inventors:
Lee Fox - Jupiter FL, US
Peter Haaland - Louisville CO, US
Michael Kalter - Tequesta FL, US
International Classification:
A61F 2/06
Abstract:
The present invention discloses implantable devices that resist adhesion of colloidal particles such as are present in biological fluids, and methods for their manufacture. In a particular embodiment, the device may be an endovascular stent and a method for its production, for reducing, and preferably eliminating, restenosis. This objective is accomplished by recognizing the fundamental coupling between the surface texture and composition, on one hand, and the drag and adhesive forces acting on a colloidal particle, on the other. The surfaces of the device are first exposed to fluid flow whereby they are polished via a micro and/or nano-abrasive media so that they are featureless on length scales that are commensurate with the sizes of colloidal particles that initiate restenosis. Secondly, the surface is treated with a thin coating that reduces, or preferably eliminates, hydrogen bonding with colloidal particles. In one embodiment, processes for treatment of such implantable devices are taught which result in targeted reduction of structural micro-anomalies in such devices and targeted reduction or elimination of the propensity for occlusive deposits to form therein, whereby properties of selective adherence of particular cell types are derived.