Preparation and Characterization of Drug Contained Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer Coatings on 316L Stainless Steel

Ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer coatings were prepared on (316L) stainless steel instead of 316L stainless coronary stent as taxol carrier. The coatings consist of three layers:base coat, drug and polymer matrix and top coat. Glutaraldehyde was used to crosslink the top coatings asymmetrically. The characteristics and release behaviors of the coatings were investigated. The (results) show that all the coatings prepared under vacuum keep smooth and dense without porosity on the (surface.) After being crosslinked, the coating surface has no change, while the tensile strength enhances and the swelling rate and drug solubility decrease in the coatings, simultaneity the diffusion of drug molecular is restricted, the release time is prolonged, taxol can be sustained released up to 15 days.