Differential delivery of nitric oxide

Abstract

This invention relates to devices and methods for the local, differential delivery of nitric oxide within the body. The devices include devices having at least two differing nitric oxide donor compounds, such as nitric oxide donor compounds having differing half-lives and nitric oxide donor compounds having different release mechanisms. The devices also include devices having at least two chemically distinct compositions to which nitric oxide donor compounds are adsorbed or attached or within which the donor compounds are disposed. The devices are typically used to increase local nitric oxide concentration in the body upon placement of the medical article at a delivery position on or within a patient. The methods of the present invention include a method of treating an atherosclerotic lesion which comprises: exposing the lesion to a first higher concentration of nitric oxide effective to reduce the number of cells within the lesion; and subsequently exposing the lesion to a second lower concentration of nitric oxide effective to inhibit restenosis. The methods of the present invention also include methods for preferentially providing differing nitric oxide donor compounds within different tissues to effect therapy.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.