Patent ID: 7824699

Claim:
An implantable prosthetic device comprising an implantable prosthesis and a drug delivery device installed in the prosthesis, the implantable prosthesis having an outer surface contour and the installed drug delivery device having a solid outer surface and an outer surface contour, the drug delivery device being installed within a recess in the outer surface contour of the implantable prosthesis whereby the outer surface contour of the installed drug delivery device generally follows the outer surface contour of the implantable prosthesis, the drug delivery device being operable for releasing a therapeutic agent into the body of an animal following implantation of the prosthetic device within the body of the animal, the drug delivery device comprising a biodegradable polymer and a therapeutic agent, the therapeutic agent being released into the body of the animal during biodegradation of the biodegradable polymer over a predefined dosing period.