Patent ID: 7572298

Claim:
An implantable medical device, comprising: a body and a first lubricated surface for contacting tissue, or a second surface of said device, or a surface of a second medical device, the implantable device comprising a biocompatible, biodegradable composition, the composition comprising a biocompatible, biodegradable polymer having a glass transition temperature and a melting point and a biocompatible, biodegradable wax having a melting point, said biocompatible, biodegradable wax present in an amount greater than about 5% by weight, wherein: a) the wax is selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers of lactide, glycolide, epsilon-caprolactone, para-dioxanone, trimethylene carbonate, alkyl derivatives of trimethylene carbonate and monoglyceride polyesters having an inherent viscosity of less than about 0.7 g/dl as measured in chloroform at 25° C.; and b) the concentration of the wax at the first lubricated surface of the implantable device is greater than the concentration of the wax in the body of the implantable device and is achieved by heat treatment of the device at a temperature that is above the melting point of the wax and the glass transition temperature of the polymer and lower than the melting point of the polymer, thereby providing the lubricated surface.