An implantable catheter or shunt for draining fluid from a body cavity.
The catheter or shunt body has a wall structure that carries one or more
therapeutic agents in a manner enabling release of the therapeutic agent
from the wall structure in situ after surgical implantation of the
catheter or shunt body. The therapeutic agent can be gradually released
over time to prevent infection, inhibit tissue ingrowths, and/or provide
some other desired medicinal purpose. As an example, the therapeutic
agent can be rapamycin or an mTOR inhibitor. According to some
contemplated embodiments of the present invention, the therapeutic agent
carried by the catheter/shunt is rechargeable or refillable in situ so
that the therapeutic agent can be gradually released from the
catheter/shunt over the expected useful life of the catheter/shunt.