Development, implantation, in vivo elution, and retrieval of a biocompatible, sustained release subretinal drug delivery system.

A biocompatible, sustained-release subretinal drug-delivery platform was developed to overcome the therapeutic accessibility limitations of current retinal disease treatments. The prototype implants were fabricated by coating nitinol, poly(methyl methacrylate) or chromic gut core filaments, with a drug-eluting polymer matrix. The polymer coatings are manufactured and coated by SurModics.

Combining local drug delivery and implantable medical devices.

The targeted, controlled local delivery of a drug by an implant is the optimum method of treating a range of conditions. This review of product developments discusses potential future device applications and progress with novel techniques employing drug delivery matrices and coating methods.

Advancements in blood-compatible coatings.

Heparin-based coatings substantially improve the performance of a variety of blood-contacting medical devices. Recently, it has also been shown that nonheparin-based, synthetic coatings are promising for medical device applications where biological molecules are not desired or appropriate. This article reports on recent work.