Metallic structures incorporating bioactive materials and methods for creating the same
One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising providing an electrochemical solution comprising metal ions and a bioactive material such as bioactive molecules, and then contacting the electrochemical solution and a substrate. A bioactive composite structure is formed on the substrate using an electrochemical process, where the bioactive composite structure includes a metal matrix and the bioactive material within the metal matrix.
1 . A method comprising:
(a) providing an electrochemical solution comprising metal ions and a bioactive material;
(b) contacting the electrochemical solution and a substrate; and
(c) forming a bioactive composite structure on the substrate using an electrochemical process, wherein the bioactive composite structure includes a metal matrix and the bioactive material within the metal matrix.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the metal ions in the electro chemical solution are derived from metal salts, and wherein the electrochemical solution further comprises a reducing agent.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the electrochemical process is an electroless deposition process.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the bioactive composite structure is in the form of a layer on the substrate.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein the substrate is a sacrificial substrate, and wherein the method further includes:
(d) removing the sacrificial substrate from the bioactive composite structure.
6 . The method of claim 5 wherein the substrate and the bioactive composite structure form a coated stent.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein the bioactive material comprises a drug.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein the matrix comprises nickel, chromium, gold, silver, copper, cobalt, or alloyed combinations thereof.
9 . The method of claim 1 wherein the electrochemical process is an electrolytic deposition process.
10 . The method of claim 1 further comprising: forming a topcoat on the bioactive composite structure.
11 . The method of claim 10 wherein the topcoat comprises a metal.
12 . The method of claim 10 wherein the topcoat comprises a polymeric material.
13 . The method of claim 10 wherein the topcoat comprises a self-assembled monolayer.
14 . A bioactive composite structure comprising:
(a) a metal matrix, wherein the metal matrix is formed using an electrochemical process; and
(b) a bioactive material within the metal matrix.
15 . The bioactive composite structure of claim 14 wherein the bioactive composite structure forms a stent.
16 . The bioactive composite structure of claim 14 wherein the bioactive composite structure is in the form of a layer on a stent.
17 . The bioactive composite structure of claim 14 wherein the bioactive material comprises drugs.
18 . The bioactive composite structure of claim 14 wherein the metal matrix comprises a metal alloy.
19 . The bioactive composite structure of claim 14 wherein an average void size of the metal matrix is less than about 100 angstroms.
20 . The bioactive composite structure of claim 14 wherein the bioactive composite structure is in the form of a layer.
21 .- 124 . (canceled)