Abstract:
An intralumen medical device comprising anti-inflamatory and anti-thrombotic or anti-coagulant drugs, agents or compounds may be utilized in the treatment of vascular disease. The intralumen medical device is selectively coated with the drugs, agents or compounds for local delivery, thereby increasing their effectiveness and reducing potential toxicity associated with systemic use. The selective coating is utilized to ensure that the specific drugs, agents or compounds come into contact with or are delivered to the appropriate tissues and/or fluids for maximum effectiveness.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/850,482, filed on May 7, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/575,480, filed on May 19, 2000 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/204,417 filed May 12, 2000, and a continuation-in-part application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/061,568, filed on Apr. 16, 1998. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to the administration of drug combinations for the prevention and treatment of vascular disease, and more particularly to an intraluminal medical device for the local delivery of one or more therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of vascular disease caused by injury.  
         [0004]     2. Discussion of the Related Art  
         [0005]     Many individuals suffer from circulatory disease caused by a progressive blockage of the blood vessels that perfuse the heart and other major organs with nutrients. More severe blockage of blood vessels in such individuals often leads to hypertension, ischemic injury, stroke, or myocardial infarction. Atherosclerotic lesions, which limit or obstruct coronary blood flow, are the major cause of ischemic heart disease. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is a medical procedure whose purpose is to increase blood flow through an artery. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is the predominant treatment for coronary vessel stenosis. The increasing use of this procedure is attributable to its relatively high success rate and its minimal invasiveness compared with coronary bypass surgery. A limitation associated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is the abrupt closure of the vessel which may occur immediately after the procedure and restenosis which occurs gradually following the procedure. Additionally, restenosis is a chronic problem in patients who have undergone saphenous vein bypass grafting. The mechanism of acute occlusion appears to involve several factors and may result from vascular recoil with resultant closure of the artery and/or deposition of blood platelets and fibrin along the damaged length of the newly opened blood vessel.  
         [0006]     Restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is a more gradual process initiated by vascular injury. Multiple processes, including thrombosis, inflammation, growth factor and cytokine release, cell proliferation; cell migration and extracellular matrix synthesis each contribute to the restenotic process.  
         [0007]     While the exact mechanism of restenosis is not completely understood, the general aspects of the restenosis process have been identified. In the normal arterial wall, smooth muscle cells proliferate at a low rate, approximately less than 0.1 percent per day. Smooth muscle cells in the vessel walls exist in a contractile phenotype characterized by eighty to ninety percent of the cell cytoplasmic volume occupied with the contractile apparatus. Endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi, and free ribosomes are few and are located in the perinuclear region. Extracellular matrix surrounds the smooth muscle cells and is rich in heparin-like glycosylaminoglycans which are believed to be responsible for maintaining smooth muscle cells in the contractile phenotypic state (Campbell and Campbell, 1985).  
         [0008]     Upon pressure expansion of an intracoronary balloon catheter during angioplasty, smooth muscle cells within the vessel wall become injured, initiating a thrombotic and inflammatory response. Cell derived growth factors such as platelet derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, epidermal growth factor, thrombin, etc., released from platelets, invading macrophages and/or leukocytes, or directly from the smooth muscle cells provoke proliferative and migratory responses in medial smooth muscle cells. These cells undergo a change from the contractile phenotype to a synthetic phenotype characterized by only a few contractile filament bundles, extensive rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi and free ribosomes. Proliferation/migration usually begins within one to two days post-injury and peaks several days thereafter (Campbell and Campbell, 1987; Clowes and Schwartz, 1985).  
         [0009]     Daughter cells migrate to the intimal layer of arterial smooth muscle and continue to proliferate and secrete significant amounts of extracellular matrix proteins. Proliferation, migration and extracellular matrix synthesis continue until the damaged endothelial layer is repaired at which time proliferation slows within the intima, usually within seven to fourteen days post-injury. The newly formed tissue is called neointima. The further vascular narrowing that occurs over the next three to six months is due primarily to negative or constrictive remodeling.  
         [0010]     Simultaneous with local proliferation and migration, inflammatory cells invade the site of vascular injury. Within three to seven days post-injury, inflammatory cells have migrated to the deeper layers of the vessel wall. In animal models employing either balloon injury or stent implantation, inflammatory cells may persist at the site of vascular injury for at least thirty days (Tanaka et al., 1993; Edelman et al., 1998). Inflammatory cells therefore are present and may contribute to both the acute and chronic phases of restenosis.  
         [0011]     Numerous agents have been examined for presumed anti-proliferative actions in restenosis and have shown some activity in experimental animal models. Some of the agents which have been shown to successfully reduce the extent of intimal hyperplasia in animal models include: heparin and heparin fragments (Clowes, A. W. and Karnovsky M., Nature 265: 25-26, 1977; Guyton, J. R. et al., Circ. Res., 46: 625-634, 1980; Clowes, A. W. and Clowes, M. M., Lab. Invest. 52: 611-616, 1985; Clowes, A. W. and Clowes, M. M., Circ. Res. 58: 839-845, 1986; Majesky et al., Circ. Res. 61: 296-300, 1987; Snow et al., Am. J. Pathol. 137: 313-330, 1990; Okada, T. et al., Neurosurgery 25: 92-98, 1989), colchicine (Currier, J. W. et al., Circ. 80: 11-66, 1989), taxol (Sollot, S. J. et al., J. Clin. Invest. 95: 1869-1876, 1995), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (Powell, J. S. et al., Science, 245: 186-188, 1989), angiopeptin (Lundergan, C. F. et al. Am. J. Cardiol. 17 (Suppl. B):132B-136B, 1991), cyclosporin A (Jonasson, L. et al., Proc. Natl., Acad. Sci., 85: 2303, 1988), goat-anti-rabbit PDGF antibody (Ferns, G. A. A., et al., Science 253: 1129-1132, 1991), terbinafine (Nemecek, G. M. et al., J. Pharmacol. Exp. Thera. 248: 1167-1174, 1989), trapidil (Liu, M. W. et al., Circ. 81: 1089-1093, 1990), tranilast (Fukuyama, J. et al., Eur. J. Pharmacol. 318: 327-332, 1996), interferon-gamma (Hansson, G. K. and Holm, J., Circ. 84: 1266-1272, 1991), rapamycin (Marx, S. O. et al., Circ. Res. 76: 412-417, 1995), corticosteroids (Colburn, M. D. et al., J. Vasc. Surg. 15: 510-518, 1992), see also Berk, B. C. et al., J. Am. Coll. Cardiol. 17: 111B-117B, 1991), ionizing radiation (Weinberger, J. et al., Int. J. Rad. Onc. Biol. Phys. 36: 767-775, 1996), fusion toxins (Farb, A. et al., Circ. Res. 80: 542-550, 1997) antisense oligonucleotides (Simons, M. et al., Nature 359: 67-70, 1992) and gene vectors (Chang, M. W. et al., J. Clin. Invest. 96: 2260-2268, 1995). Anti-proliferative effects on smooth muscle cells in vitro have been demonstrated for many of these agents, including heparin and heparin conjugates, taxol, tranilast, colchicine, ACE inhibitors, fusion toxins, antisense oligonucleotides, rapamycin and ionizing radiation. Thus, agents with diverse mechanisms of smooth muscle cell inhibition may have therapeutic utility in reducing intimal hyperplasia.  
         [0012]     However, in contrast to animal models, attempts in human angioplasty patients to prevent restenosis by systemic pharmacologic means have thus far been unsuccessful. Neither aspirin-dipyridamole, ticlopidine, anti-coagulant therapy (acute heparin, chronic warfarin, hirudin or hirulog), thromboxane receptor antagonism nor steroids have been effective in preventing restenosis, although platelet inhibitors have been effective in preventing acute reocclusion after angioplasty (Mak and Topol, 1997; Lang et al., 1991; Popma et al., 1991). The platelet GP IIb/IIIa receptor, antagonist, Reopro is still under study but has not shown promising results for the reduction in restenosis following angioplasty and stenting. Other agents, which have also been unsuccessful in the prevention of restenosis, include the calcium channel antagonists, prostacyclin mimetics, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, serotonin receptor antagonists, and anti-proliferative agents. These agents must be given systemically, however, and attainment of a therapeutically effective dose may not be possible; anti-proliferative (or anti-restenosis) concentrations may exceed the known toxic concentrations of these agents so that levels sufficient to produce smooth muscle inhibition may not be reached (Mak and Topol, 1997; Lang et al., 1991; Popma et al., 1991).  
         [0013]     Additional clinical trials in which the effectiveness for preventing restenosis utilizing dietary fish oil supplements or cholesterol lowering agents has been examined showing either conflicting or negative results so that no pharmacological agents are as yet clinically available to prevent post-angioplasty restenosis (Mak and Topol, 1997; Franklin and Faxon, 1993: Serruys, P. W. et al., 1993). Recent observations suggest that the antilipid/antioxidant agent, probucol may be useful in preventing restenosis but this work requires confirmation (Tardif et al., 1997; Yokoi, et al., 1997). Probucol is presently not approved for use in the United States and a thirty-day pretreatment period would preclude its use in emergency angioplasty. Additionally, the application of ionizing radiation has shown significant promise in reducing or preventing restenosis after angioplasty in patients with stents (Teirstein et al., 1997). Currently, however, the most effective treatments for restenosis are repeat angioplasty, atherectomy or coronary artery bypass grafting, because no therapeutic agents currently have Food and Drug Administration approval for use for the prevention of post-angioplasty restenosis.  
         [0014]     Unlike systemic pharmacologic therapy, stents have proven effective in significantly reducing restenosis. Typically, stents are balloon-expandable slotted metal tubes (usually, but not limited to, stainless steel), which, when expanded within the lumen of an angioplastied coronary artery, provide structural support through rigid scaffolding to the arterial wall. This support is helpful in maintaining vessel lumen patency. In two randomized clinical trials, stents increased angiographic success after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, by increasing minimal lumen diameter and reducing, but not eliminating, the incidence of restenosis at six months (Serruys et al., 1994; Fischman et al., 1994).  
         [0015]     Additionally, the heparin coating of stents appears to have the added benefit of producing a reduction in sub-acute thrombosis after stent implantation (Serruys et al., 1996). Thus, sustained mechanical expansion of a stenosed coronary artery with a stent has been shown to provide some measure of restenosis prevention, and the coating of stents with heparin has demonstrated both the feasibility and the clinical usefulness of delivering drugs locally, at the site of injured tissue.  
         [0016]     Accordingly, there exists a need for effective drugs and drug delivery systems for the effective prevention and treatment of neointimal thickening that occurs after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and stent implantation while minimizing the risk associated with clot formation.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     The drug combinations and delivery devices of the present invention provide a means for overcoming the difficulties associated with the methods and devices currently in use as briefly described above.  
         [0018]     In accordance with one aspect, the present invention is directed to an intraluminal medical device. The intraluminal medical device comprising an expandable scaffold structure having a substantially tubular body, the tubular body having an inner surface facing the lumen of a blood vessel and an outer surface facing, and in an expanded state, contacting the innermost wall of a blood vessel, and at least one layer of one or more anti-proliferative compounds affixed only to at least a portion of the outer surface of the tubular body.  
         [0019]     In accordance with another aspect, the present invention is directed to an intraluminal medical device. The intraluminal medical device comprising an expandable scaffold structure having a substantially tubular body, the tubular body including one or more hoop elements configured to be the primary radial load-bearing elements of the expandable scaffold structure and one or more connector elements connecting adjacent hoop elements to form a substantially tubular structure having a luminal surface and an abluminal surface, the one or more connector elements and the one or more hoop elements having a predetermined wall thickness, wherein the wall thickness is defined by the radial distance between the abluminal surface and the luminal surface, and at least one layer of one or more anti-proliferative compounds affixed only to at least a portion of the abluminal surface of the tubular body.  
         [0020]     In accordance with another aspect, the present invention is directed to an intraluminal medical device. The intraluminal medical device comprising an expandable scaffold structure having a substantially tubular body, the tubular body including one or more hoop elements configured to be the primary radial load-bearing elements of the expandable scaffold structure and one or more connector elements connecting adjacent hoop elements to form a substantially tubular structure having a luminal surface facing the lumen of a blood vessel and an abluminal surface facing, and in an expanded state, contacting the innermost wall of a blood vessel, the one or more connector elements and the one or more hoop elements having a predetermined wall thickness, wherein the wall thickness is defined by the radial distance between the luminal surface and the abluminal surface, and at least one layer of one or more anti-proliferative compounds affixed only to at least a portion of the abluminal surface of the tubular body.  
         [0021]     In accordance with another aspect, the present invention is directed to an intraluminal medical device. The intraluminal medical device comprising an expandable scaffold structure having a substantially tubular body, the tubular body including one or more hoop elements configured to be the primary radial load-bearing elements of the stent and one or more connector elements connecting adjacent hoop elements to form a substantially tubular structure having a luminal surface facing the lumen of a blood vessel and an abluminal surface facing, and in an expanded state, contacting the innermost wall of a blood vessel, the one or more connector elements and the one or more hoop elements having a predetermined wall thickness, wherein the wall thickness is defined by the radial distance between the luminal surface and the abluminal surface; and at least one layer of one or more anti-proliferative compounds affixed only to at least a portion of the abluminal surface of the tubular body and at least a portion of the wall thickness.  
         [0022]     In accordance with another aspect, the present invention is directed to an intraluminal medical device. The intraluminal medical device comprising an expandable scaffold structure having a substantially tubular body, the tubular body including one or more hoop elements configured to be the primary radial load-bearing elements of the expandable scaffold structure and one or more connector elements connecting adjacent hoop elements to form a substantially tubular structure having a luminal surface facing the lumen of a blood vessel and an abluminal surface facing, and in an expanded state, contacting the innermost wall of a blood vessel, the one or more connector elements and the one or more hoop elements having a predetermined wall thickness, wherein the wall thickness is defined by the radial distance between the luminal surface and the abluminal surface, at least one layer of one or more anti-proliferative compounds affixed only to at least a portion of the abluminal surface of the tubular body; and at least one layer of one or more anti-thrombotic compounds affixed to the at least one anti-proliferative layer.  
         [0023]     In accordance with another aspect, the present invention is directed to an intraluminal medical device. The intraluminal medical device comprising an expandable scaffold structure having a substantially tubular body, the tubular body including one or more hoop elements configured to be the primary radial load-bearing elements of the stent and one or more connector elements connecting adjacent hoop elements to form a substantially tubular structure having a luminal surface facing the lumen of a blood vessel and an abluminal surface facing, and in an expanded state, contacting the innermost wall of a blood vessel, the one or more connector elements and the one or more hoop elements having a predetermined wall thickness, wherein the wall thickness is defined by the radial distance between the luminal surface and the abluminal surface, at least one layer of one or more anti-proliferative compounds affixed only to at least a portion of the abluminal surface of the tubular body and at least a portion of the wall thickness, and at least one layer of one or more anti-thrombotic compounds affixed to the at least one anti-proliferative layer.  
         [0024]     The intraluminal medical device of the present invention utilizes one or more drugs, agents or compounds for the prevention and treatment of vascular disease caused by injury. An intraluminal medical device, for example, a stent may be coated with one or more drugs, agents or compounds that reduce smooth muscle cell proliferation, reduce inflammation and reduce thrombosis. Essentially, stents or other similar medical devices, e.g. grafts, in combination with one or more drugs, agents or compounds which prevent or reduce smooth muscle cell proliferation, reduce thrombosis and reduce inflammation may provide the most efficacious treatment of restenosis and other vascular tissue injury/disease. The local administration of these drugs, agents or compounds will result in higher vessel tissue concentrations and lower toxicity due to reduced dosages than that associated with systemic delivery of the same drugs, agents or compounds.  
         [0025]     The intraluminal medical device of the present invention may be selectively coated with the drugs, agents or compounds such that the most efficient delivery of the drugs, agents or compounds may be achieved. For example, the drugs, agents or compounds for preventing or reducing smooth muscle cell proliferation may be incorporated into the device on the surface which comes in direct contact with the affected tissue while the drugs, agents or compounds for inhibiting coagulation may be incorporated into the device on the surface which comes into contact with the blood. Alternately, nothing may be placed on the surface that comes into contact with the blood.  
         [0026]     The intraluminal medical device of the present invention makes use of various techniques and methodologies of affixing therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds to intraluminal medical devices. Accordingly, delivery of these drugs, agents or compounds may be optimally achieved. Since the drugs, agents or compounds are locally delivered, the patient, as well as the physician, will not have to be concerned with the need for continuous administration, e.g. orally or intravenously. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]     The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a view along the length of an exemplary stent (ends not shown) prior to expansion showing the exterior surface of the stent and the characteristic banding pattern in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the stent of  FIG. 1  having reservoirs in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a band of the stent of  FIG. 1  having drug coatings thereon in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a band of the stent of  FIG. 1  having drug coatings thereon in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a band of the stent of  FIG. 1  having drug coatings thereon in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a partial, planar representation of a second exemplary stent in accordance with the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]     The drug combinations and delivery devices of the present invention may be utilized to effectively prevent and treat vascular disease, and in particular, vascular disease caused by injury. Various medical treatment devices utilized in the treatment of vascular disease may ultimately induce further complications. For example, balloon angioplasty is a procedure utilized to increase blood flow through an artery and is the predominant treatment for coronary vessel stenosis. However, as stated above, the procedure typically causes a certain degree of damage to the vessel wall, thereby potentially exacerbating the problem at a point later in time. Although other procedures and diseases may cause similar injury, the present invention will be described with respect to the treatment of restenosis and related complications following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.  
         [0035]     As stated previously, the implantation of a coronary stent in conjunction with balloon angioplasty is highly effective in treating acute vessel closure and may reduce the risk of restenosis. Intravascular ultrasound studies (Mintz et al., 1996) suggest that coronary stenting effectively prevents vessel constriction and that most of the late luminal loss after stent implantation is due to plaque growth, probably related to neointimal hyperplasia. The late luminal loss after coronary stenting is almost two times higher than that observed after conventional balloon angioplasty. Thus, inasmuch as stents prevent at least a portion of the restenosis process, a combination of drugs, agents or compounds, which prevents smooth muscle cell proliferation, reduces inflammation and reduces coagulation or prevents smooth muscle cell proliferation by multiple mechanisms, reduces inflammation and reduces coagulation combined with a stent may provide the most efficacious treatment for post-angioplasty restenosis. The systemic use of drugs, agents or compounds in combination with the local delivery of the same or different drugs, agents or compounds may also provide a beneficial treatment option.  
         [0036]     The local delivery of multiple drugs, agents or compounds from a stent has the following advantages; namely, the prevention of vessel recoil and remodeling through the scaffolding action of the stent and the prevention of multiple components of neointimal hyperplasia or restenosis as well as a reduction in inflammation and thrombosis. This local administration of drugs, agents or compounds to stented coronary arteries may also have additional therapeutic benefit. For example, higher tissue concentrations of the drugs, agents, or compounds can be achieved utilizing local delivery, rather than systemic administration. In addition, reduced systemic toxicity may be achieved utilizing local delivery rather than systemic administration while maintaining higher tissue concentrations. Also in utilizing local delivery from a stent rather than systemic administration, a single procedure may suffice with better patient compliance. An additional benefit of combination drug/agent/compound therapy may be to reduce the dose of each of the therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds, thereby limiting their toxicity, while still achieving a reduction in restenosis, inflammation and thrombosis. Local stent-based therapy is therefore a means of improving the therapeutic ratio (efficacy/toxicity) of anti-restenosis, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic drugs, agents or compounds.  
         [0037]     There are a multiplicity of stent designs that may be utilized following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Although any number of stent designs may be utilized in accordance with the present invention, for simplicity, one particular stent will be described in exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The skilled artisan will recognize that any number of stents may be utilized in connection with the present invention.  
         [0038]     A stent is commonly used as a tubular structure left inside the lumen of a duct to relieve an obstruction. Commonly, stents are inserted into the lumen in a non-expanded form and are then expanded autonomously, or with the aid of a second device in situ. A typical method of expansion occurs through the use of a catheter-mounted angioplasty balloon which is inflated within the stenosed vessel or body passageway in order to shear and disrupt the obstructions associated with the wall components of the vessel and to obtain an enlarged lumen.  
         [0039]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary stent  100  which may be utilized in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The expandable cylindrical stent  100  comprises a fenestrated structure for placement in a blood vessel, duct or lumen to hold the vessel, duct or lumen open, more particularly for protecting a segment of artery from restenosis after angioplasty. The stent  100  may be expanded circumferentially and maintained in an expanded configuration, that is circumferentially or radially rigid. The stent  100  is axially flexible and when flexed at a band, the stent  100  avoids any externally-protruding component parts.  
         [0040]     The stent  100  generally comprises first and second ends with an intermediate section therebetween. The stent  100  has a longitudinal axis and comprises a plurality of longitudinally disposed bands  102 , wherein each band  102  defines a generally continuous wave along a line segment parallel to the longitudinal axis. A plurality of circumferentially arranged links  104  maintain the bands  102  in a substantially tubular structure. Essentially, each longitudinally disposed band  102  is connected at a plurality of periodic locations, by a short circumferentially arranged link  104  to an adjacent band  102 . The wave associated with each of the bands  102  has approximately the same fundamental spatial frequency in the intermediate section, and the bands  102  are so disposed that the wave associated with them are generally aligned so as to be generally in phase with one another. As illustrated in the figure, each longitudinally arranged band  102  undulates through approximately two cycles before there is a link to an adjacent band  102 .  
         [0041]     The stent  100  may be fabricated utilizing any number of methods. For example, the stent  100  may be fabricated from a hollow or formed stainless steel tube that may be machined using lasers, electric discharge milling, chemical etching or other means. The stent  100  is inserted into the body and placed at the desired site in an unexpanded form. In one embodiment, expansion may be effected in a blood vessel by a balloon catheter, where the final diameter of the stent  100  is a function of the diameter of the balloon catheter used.  
         [0042]     It should be appreciated that a stent  100  in accordance with the present invention may be embodied in a shape-memory material, including, for example, an appropriate alloy of nickel and titanium or stainless steel. In this embodiment after the stent  100  has been formed it may be compressed so as to occupy a space sufficiently small as to permit its insertion in a blood vessel or other tissue by insertion means, wherein the insertion means include a suitable catheter, or flexible rod. On emerging from the catheter, the stent  100  may be configured to expand into the desired configuration where the expansion is automatic or triggered by a change in pressure, temperature or electrical stimulation.  
         [0043]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention utilizing the stent  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated, the stent  100  may be modified to comprise one or more reservoirs  106 . Each of the reservoirs  106  may be opened or closed as desired. These reservoirs  106  may be specifically designed to hold the drugs, agents or compounds to be delivered. Regardless of the design of the stent  100 , it is preferable to have the drugs, agents or compounds dosage applied with enough specificity and a sufficient concentration to provide an effective dosage in the lesion area. In this regard, the reservoir size in the bands  102  is preferably sized to adequately apply the drugs, agents or compounds dosage at the desired location and in the desired amount.  
         [0044]     In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the entire inner and outer surface of the stent  100  may be coated with various drug, agent or compound combinations in therapeutic dosage amounts. A detailed description of various drugs, agents, or compounds as well as exemplary coating techniques is described below. It is, however, important to note that the coating techniques may vary depending on the drugs, agents or compounds. Also, the coating techniques may vary depending on the material forming the stent or other intraluminal medical device.  
         [0045]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is illustrated a partial planar view of a second exemplary stent  600  in accordance with the present invention. The exemplary stent  600  comprises a plurality of hoop components  602  interconnected by a plurality of flexible connectors  604 . The hoop components  602  are formed as a continuous series of substantially circumferentially oriented radial strut members  606  and alternating radial arc members  608 . Although shown in planar view, the hoop components  602  are essentially ring members that are linked together by the flexible connectors  604  to form a substantially tubular stent structure. The combination of radial strut members  106  and alternating radial arc members  608  form a substantially sinusoidal pattern. Although the hoop components  602  may be designed with any number of design features and assume any number of configurations, in the exemplary embodiment, the radial strut members  606  are wider in their central regions  610 . This design feature may be utilized for a number of purposes, including, increased surface area for drug delivery.  
         [0046]     The flexible connectors  604  are formed from a continuous series of substantially longitudinally oriented flexible strut members  612  and alternating flexible arc members  614 . The flexible connectors  604 , as described above, connect adjacent hoop components  602  together. In this exemplary embodiment, the flexible connectors  604  have a substantially N-shape with one end being connected to a radial arc member on one hoop component and the other end being connected to a radial arc member on an adjacent hoop component. As with the hoop components  602 , the flexible connectors  604  may comprise any number of design features and any number of configurations. In the exemplary embodiment, the ends of the flexible connectors  604  are connected to different portions of the radial arc members of adjacent hoop components for ease of nesting during crimping of the stent. It is interesting to note that with this exemplary configuration, the radial arcs on adjacent hoop components are slightly out of phase, while the radial arcs on every other hoop component are substantially in phase. In addition, it is important to note that not every radial arc on each hoop component need be connected to every radial arc on the adjacent hoop component.  
         [0047]     It is important to note that any number of designs may be utilized for the flexible connectors or connectors in an intraluminal scaffold or stent. For example, in the design described above, the connector comprises two elements, substantially longitudinally oriented strut members and flexible arc members. In alternate designs, however, the connectors may comprise only a substantially longitudinally oriented strut member and no flexible arc member or a flexible arc connector and no substantially longitudinally oriented strut member.  
         [0048]     The substantially tubular structure of the stent  600  provides the scaffolding for maintaining the patentcy of substantially tubular organs, such as arteries. The stent  600  comprises a luminal surface and an abluminal surface. The distance between the two surfaces defines the wall thickness as is described in detail above. The stent  600  has an unexpanded diameter for delivery and an expanded diameter, which roughly corresponds to the normal diameter of the organ into which it is delivered. As tubular organs such as arteries may vary in diameter, different size stents having different sets of unexpanded and expanded diameters may be designed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. As described herein, the stent  600  may be formed form any number of absorbable and non-absorbable metallic materials, including cobalt-based alloys, iron-based alloys, titanium-based alloys, magnesium alloys, refractory-based alloys and refractory metals as well as non-metallic materials such as absorbable and non-absorbable polymers and ceramics.  
         [0049]     Rapamycin is a macroyclic triene antibiotic produced by streptomyces hygroscopicus as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,992. It has been found that rapamycin among other things inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells in vivo. Accordingly, rapamycin may be utilized in treating intimal smooth muscle cell hyperplasia, restenosis, and vascular occlusion in a mammal, particularly following either biologically or mechanically mediated vascular injury, or under conditions that would predispose a mammal to suffering such a vascular injury. Rapamycin functions to inhibit smooth muscle cell proliferation and does not interfere with the re-endothelialization of the vessel walls.  
         [0050]     Rapamycin reduces vascular hyperplasia by antagonizing smooth muscle proliferation in response to mitogenic signals that are released during an angioplasty. Inhibition of growth factor and cytokine mediated smooth muscle proliferation at the late GI phase of the cell cycle is believed to be the dominant mechanism of action of rapamycin. However, rapamycin is also known to prevent T-cell proliferation and differentiation when administered systemically. This is the basis for its immunosuppresive activity and its ability to prevent graft rejection.  
         [0051]     As used herein, rapamycin includes rapamycin and all analogs, derivatives and congeners that bind FKBP12 and possesses the same pharmacologic properties as rapamycin.  
         [0052]     Although the anti-proliferative effects of rapamycin may be achieved through systemic use, superior results may be achieved through the local delivery of the compound. Essentially, rapamycin is effective in the tissues, which are in proximity to the compound, and has diminished effect as the distance from the delivery device increases. In order to take advantage of this effect, one would want rapamycin to be in direct contact with the lumen walls. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, rapamycin is incorporated into the outer surface of the stent or portions thereof. Essentially, the rapamycin is preferably incorporated into the stent  100 , illustrated in  FIG. 1 , where the stent  100  makes contact with the lumen wall.  
         [0053]     Rapamycin may be incorporated into or affixed to the stent in a number of ways. In the exemplary embodiment, the rapamycin is directly incorporated into a polymeric matrix and sprayed onto the outer surface of the stent. The rapamycin elutes from the polymeric matrix over time and enters the surrounding tissue. The rapamycin preferably remains on the stent for at least three days up to approximately six months, and more preferably between seven and thirty days.  
         [0054]     Any number of non-erodible polymers may be utilized in conjunction with the rapamycin. In the preferred embodiment, the polymeric matrix comprises two layers. The base layer comprises a solution of ethylene-co-vinylacetate and polybutylmethacrylate. The rapamycin is incorporated into this base layer. The outer layer comprises only polybutylmethacrylate and acts as a diffusion barrier to prevent the rapamycin from eluting too quickly. The thickness of the outer layer or top coat determines the rate at which the rapamycin elutes from the matrix. Essentially, the rapamycin elutes from the matrix by diffusion through the polymer molecules. Polymers are permeable and/or semi-permiable, thereby allowing solids, liquids and gases to escape therefrom. The total thickness of the polymeric matrix is in the range from about 1 micron to about 20 microns or greater.  
         [0055]     The ethylene-co-vinylacetate, polybutylmethacrylate and rapamycin solution may be incorporated into or onto the stent in a number of ways. For example, the solution may be sprayed onto the stent or the stent may be dipped into the solution. In one exemplary embodiment, the solution is sprayed onto the stent and then allowed to dry. In another exemplary embodiment, the solution may be electrically charged to one polarity and the stent electrically changed to the opposite polarity. In this manner, the solution and stent will be attracted to one another. In using this type of spraying process, waste may be reduced and more precise control over the thickness of the coat may be achieved.  
         [0056]     Since rapamycin acts by entering the surrounding tissue, it is preferably only affixed to the surface of the stent making contact with one tissue. Typically, only the outer surface of the stent makes contact with the tissue. Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, only the outer surface of the stent is coated with rapamycin.  
         [0057]     The circulatory system, under normal conditions, has to be self-sealing, otherwise continued blood loss from an injury would be life threatening. Typically, all but the most catastrophic bleeding is rapidly stopped though a process known as hemostasis. Hemostasis occurs through a progression of steps. At high rates of flow, hemostasis is a combination of events involving platelet aggregation and fibrin formation. Platelet aggregation leads to a reduction in the blood flow due to the formation of a cellular plug while a cascade of biochemical steps leads to the formation of a fibrin clot.  
         [0058]     Fibrin clots, as stated above, form in response to injury. There are certain circumstances where blood clotting or clotting in a specific area may pose a health risk. For example, during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, the endothelial cells of the arterial walls are typically injured, thereby exposing the sub-endothelial cells. Platelets adhere to these exposed cells. The aggregating platelets and the damaged tissue initiate further biochemical process resulting in blood coagulation. Platelet and fibrin blood clots may prevent the normal flow of blood to critical areas. Accordingly, there is a need to control blood clotting in various medical procedures. Compounds that do not allow blood to clot are called anti-coagulants. Essentially, an anti-coagulant is an inhibitor of thrombin formation or function. These compounds include drugs such as heparin and hirudin. As used herein, heparin includes all direct or indirect inhibitors of thrombin or Factor Xa.  
         [0059]     In addition to being an effective anti-coagulant, heparin has also been demonstrated to inhibit smooth muscle cell growth in vivo. Thus, heparin may be effectively utilized in conjunction with rapamycin in the treatment of vascular disease. Essentially, the combination of rapamycin and heparin may inhibit smooth muscle cell growth via two different mechanisms in addition to the heparin acting as an anti-coagulant.  
         [0060]     Because of its multifunctional chemistry, heparin may be immobilized or affixed to a stent in a number of ways. For example, heparin may be immobilized onto a variety of surfaces by various methods, including the photolink methods set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,959,078 and 4,722,906 to Guire et al. and U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,229,172; 5,308,641; 5,350,800 and 5,415,938 to Cahalan et al. Heparinized surfaces have also been achieved by controlled release from a polymer matrix, for example, silicone rubber, as set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,837,313; 6,099,562 and 6,120,536 to Ding et al.  
         [0061]     In one exemplary embodiment, heparin may be immobilized onto the stent as briefly described below. The surface onto which the heparin is to be affixed is cleaned with ammonium peroxidisulfate. Once cleaned, alternating layers of polyethylenimine and dextran sulfate are deposited thereon. Preferably, four layers of the polyethylenimine and dextran sulfate are deposited with a final layer of polyethylenimine. Aldehyde-end terminated heparin is then immobilized to this final layer and stabilized with sodium cyanoborohydride. This process is set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,613,665; 4,810,784 to Larm and U.S. Pat. No.  5 , 049 , 403  to Larm et al.  
         [0062]     Unlike rapamycin, heparin acts on circulating proteins in the blood and heparin need only make contact with blood to be effective. Accordingly, if used in conjunction with a medical device, such as a stent, it would preferably be only on the side that comes into contact with the blood. For example, if heparin is to be administered via a stent, it would only have to be on the inner surface of the stent to be effective.  
         [0063]     In a preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, a stent may be utilized in combination with rapamycin and heparin to treat vascular disease. In this exemplary embodiment, the heparin is immobilized to the inner surface of the stent so that it is in contact with the blood and the rapamycin is immobilized to the outer surface of the stent so that it is in contact with the surrounding tissue.  FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-section of a band  102  of the stent  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated, the band  102  is coated with heparin  108  on its inner surface  110  and with rapamycin  112  on its outer surface  114 .  
         [0064]     In an alternate exemplary embodiment, the stent may comprise a heparin layer immobilized on its inner surface, and rapamycin and heparin on its outer surface. Utilizing current coating techniques, heparin tends to form a stronger bond with the surface it is immobilized to then does rapamycin. Accordingly, it may be possible to first immobilize the rapamycin to the outer surface of the stent and then immobilize a layer of heparin to the rapamycin layer. In this embodiment, the rapamycin may be more securely affixed to the stent while still effectively eluting from its polymeric matrix, through the heparin and into the surrounding tissue.  FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-section of a band  102  of the stent  100  illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As illustrated, the band  102  is coated with heparin  108  on its inner surface  110  and with rapamycin  112  and heparin  108  on its outer surface  114 .  
         [0065]     There are a number of possible ways to immobilize, i.e., entrapment or covalent linkage with an erodible bond, the heparin layer to the rapamycin layer. For example, heparin may be introduced into the top layer of the polymeric matrix. In other embodiments, different forms of heparin may be directly immobilized onto the top coat of the polymeric matrix, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . As illustrated, a hydrophobic heparin layer  116  may be immobilized onto the top coat layer  118  of the rapamycin layer  112 . A hydrophobic form of heparin is utilized because rapamycin and heparin coatings represent incompatible coating application technologies. Rapamycin is an organic solvent-based coating and heparin is a water-based coating.  
         [0066]     As stated above, a rapamycin coating may be applied to stents by a dip, spray or spin coating method, and/or any combination of these methods. Various polymers may be utilized. For example, as described above, polyethylene-co-vinyl acetate and polybutyl methacrylate blends may be utilized. Other polymers may also be utilized, but not limited to, for example, polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene and polyethylbutyl methacrylate-co-hexyl methacrylate. Also as described above, barrier or top coatings may also be applied to modulate the dissolution of rapamycin from the polymer matrix. In the exemplary embodiment described above, a thin layer of heparin is applied to the surface of the polymeric matrix. Because these polymer systems are hydrophobic and incompatible with the hydrophilic heparin, appropriate surface modifications may be required.  
         [0067]     The application of heparin to the surface of the polymeric matrix may be performed in various ways and utilizing various biocompatible materials. For example, in one embodiment, in water or alcoholic solutions, polyethylene imine may be applied on the stents, with care not to degrade the rapamycin (e.g., pH&lt;7, low temperature), followed by the application of sodium heparinate in aqueous or alcoholic solutions. As an extension of this surface modification, covalent heparin may be linked on polyethylene imine using amide-type chemistry (using a carbondiimide activator, e.g. EDC) or reductive amination chemistry (using CBAS-heparin and sodium cyanoborohydride for coupling). In another exemplary embodiment, heparin may be photolinked on the surface, if it is appropriately grafted with photo initiator moieties. Upon application of this modified heparin formulation on the covalent stent surface, light exposure causes cross-linking and immobilization of the heparin on the coating surface. In yet another exemplary embodiment, heparin may be complexed with hydrophobic quaternary ammonium salts, rendering the molecule soluble in organic solvents (e.g. benzalkonium heparinate, troidodecylmethylammonium heparinate). Such a formulation of heparin may be compatible with the hydrophobic rapamycin coating, and may be applied directly on the coating surface, or in the rapamycin/hydrophobic polymer formulation.  
         [0068]     It is important to note that the stent may be formed from any number of materials, including various metals, polymeric materials and ceramic materials. Accordingly, various technologies may be utilized to immobilize the various drug, agent, compound combinations thereon. In addition, the drugs, agents or compounds may be utilized in conjunction with other percutaneously delivered medical devices such as grafts and profusion balloons.  
         [0069]     In addition to utilizing an anti-proliferative and anti-coagulant, anti-inflammatories may also be utilized in combination therewith. One example of such a combination would be the addition of an anti-inflammatory corticosteroid such as dexamethasone with an anti-proliferative, such as rapamycin, cladribine, vincristine, taxol, or a nitric oxide donor and an anti-coagulant, such as heparin. Such combination therapies might result in a better therapeutic effect, i.e., less proliferation as well as less inflammation, a stimulus for proliferation, than would occur with either agent alone. The delivery of a stent comprising an anti-proliferative, anti-coagulant, and an anti-inflammatory to an injured vessel would provide the added therapeutic benefit of limiting the degree of local smooth muscle cell proliferation, reducing a stimulus for proliferation, i.e., inflammation and reducing the effects of coagulation thus enhancing the restenosis-limiting action of the stent.  
         [0070]     In other exemplary embodiments of the inventions, growth factor or cytokine signal transduction inhibitor, such as the ras inhibitor, R115777, or a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, such as tyrphostin, might be combined with an anti-proliferative agent such as taxol, vincristine or rapamycin so that proliferation of smooth muscle cells could be inhibited by different mechanisms. Alternatively, an anti-proliferative agent such as taxol, vincristine or rapamycin could be combined with an inhibitor of extracellular matrix synthesis such as halofuginone. In the above cases, agents acting by different mechanisms could act synergistically to reduce smooth muscle cell proliferation and vascular hyperplasia. This invention is also intended to cover other combinations of two or more such drug agents. As mentioned above, such drugs, agents or compounds could be administered systemically, delivered locally via drug delivery catheter, or formulated for delivery from the surface of a stent, or given as a combination of systemic and local therapy.  
         [0071]     Although only a few therapeutic agents are described above, any number of devices may be utilized to deliver therapeutic and pharmaceutic agents including: anti-proliferative/antimitotic agents including natural products such as vinca alkaloids (i.e. vinblastine, vincristine, and vinorelbine), paclitaxel, epidipodophyllotoxins (i.e. etoposide, teniposide), antibiotics (dactinomycin (actinomycin D) daunorubicin, doxorubicin and idarubicin), anthracyclines, mitoxantrone, bleomycins, plicamycin (mithramycin) and mitomycin, enzymes (L-asparaginase which systemically metabolizes L-asparagine and deprives cells which do not have the capacity to synthesize their own asparagine); antiplatelet agents such as G(GP) II b /III a  inhibitors and vitronectin receptor antagonists; anti-proliferative/antimitotic alkylating agents such as nitrogen mustards (mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide and analogs, melphalan, chlorambucil), ethylenimines and methylmelamines (hexamethylmelamine and thiotepa), alkyl sulfonates-busulfan, nirtosoureas (carmustine (BCNU) and analogs, streptozocin), trazenes—dacarbazinine (DTIC); anti-proliferative/antimitotic antimetabolites such as folic acid analogs (methotrexate), pyrimidine analogs (fluorouracil, floxuridine, and cytarabine), purine analogs and related inhibitors (mercaptopurine, thioguanine, pentostatin and 2-chlorodeoxyadenosine {cladribine}); platinum coordination complexes (cisplatin, carboplatin), procarbazine, hydroxyurea, mitotane, aminoglutethimide; hormones (i.e. estrogen); anti-coagulants (heparin, synthetic heparin salts and other inhibitors of thrombin); fibrinolytic agents (such as tissue plasminogen activator, streptokinase and urokinase), aspirin, dipyridamole, ticlopidine, clopidogrel, abciximab; antimigratory; antisecretory (breveldin); anti-inflammatory: such as adrenocortical steroids (cortisol, cortisone, fludrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone, 6α-methylprednisolone, triamcinolone, betamethasone, and dexamethasone), non-steroidal agents (salicylic acid derivatives i.e. aspirin; para-aminophenol derivatives i.e. acetaminophen; indole and indene acetic acids (indomethacin, sulindac, and etodalac), heteroaryl acetic acids (tolmetin, diclofenac, and ketorolac), arylpropionic acids (ibuprofen and derivatives), anthranilic acids (mefenamic acid, and meclofenamic acid), enolic acids (piroxicam, tenoxicam, phenylbutazone, and oxyphenthatrazone), nabumetone, gold compounds (auranofin, aurothioglucose, gold sodium thiomalate); immunosuppressives: (cyclosporine, tacrolimus (FK-506), sirolimus (rapamycin), azathioprine, mycophenolate mofetil); angiogenic agents: vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF); angiotensin receptor blockers; nitric oxide donors; antisense oligionucleotides and combinations thereof; cell cycle inhibitors, mTOR inhibitors, and growth factor receptor signal transduction kinase inhibitors; retenoids; cyclin/CDK inhibitors; HMG co-enzyme reductase inhibitors (statins); and protease inhibitors.  
         [0072]     In an alternate exemplary embodiment, a stent or other intraluminal medical device may be coated on a single side or portion thereof. For example, a stent such as illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  6  may be coated on the outer or abluminal surface with an anti-proliferative agent while the inner or luminal surface remains bare. This coating process may be easily achieved and offers a number of advantages, including a reduction in waste, improved deliverability and ease of manufacturing. Stents and other devices may be coated, electrostatic coating utilizing a number of techniques, including spray coating, electrostatic coating and ink jet printing. As described above, coating one surface or a portion thereof is desirable from the therapeutic perspective.  
         [0073]     In yet another alternate exemplary embodiment, a stent or other intraluminal medical device may be coated on a single side or portion thereof as well as on the sides or a portion thereof. For example, as stated herein, a stent has a luminal surface, an abluminal surface and a wall thickness therebetween. In this exemplary embodiment, the abluminal surface or a portion thereof may be coated with an anti-proliferative agent or any other therapetuc agent, and the walls or sides of the device elements may also be coated with the same or different agent depending on function. In this manner, the surface in contact with the blood remains substantially free of any agent or compound.  
         [0074]     While exemplary embodiments of the invention were described with respect to the treatment of restenosis and related complications following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, it is important to note that the local delivery of drug/drug combinations may be utilized to treat a wide variety of conditions utilizing any number of medical devices, or to enhance the function and/or life of the device. For example, intraocular lenses, placed to restore vision after cataract surgery is often compromised by the formation of a secondary cataract. The latter is often a result of cellular overgrowth on the lens surface and can be potentially minimized by combining a drug or drugs with the device. Other medical devices which often fail due to tissue in-growth or accumulation of proteinaceous material in, on and around the device, such as shunts for hydrocephalus, dialysis grafts, colostomy bag attachment devices, ear drainage tubes, leads for pace makers and implantable defibrillators can also benefit from the device-drug combination approach. Devices which serve to improve the structure and function of tissue or organ may also show benefits when combined with the appropriate agent or agents. For example, improved osteointegration of orthopedic devices to enhance stabilization of the implanted device could potentially be achieved by combining it with agents such as bone-morphogenic protein. Similarly other surgical devices, sutures, staples, anastomosis devices, vertebral disks, bone pins, suture anchors, hemostatic barriers, clamps, screws, plates, clips, vascular implants, tissue adhesives and sealants, tissue scaffolds, various types of dressings, bone substitutes, intraluminal devices, and vascular supports could also provide enhanced patient benefit using this drug-device combination approach. Perivascular wraps may be particularly advantageous, alone or in combination with other medical devices. The perivascular wraps may supply additional drugs to a treatment site. Essentially, any type of medical device may be coated in some fashion with a drug or drug combination which enhances treatment over use of the singular use of the device or pharmaceutical agent.  
         [0075]     Although shown and described is what is believed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is apparent that departures from specific designs and methods described and shown will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art and may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present invention is not restricted to the particular constructions described and illustrated, but should be constructed to cohere with all modifications that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.