Abstract: An intravascular stent (26) has a surface coated with a biocompatible layer. The layer contains a diamond like nanocomposite material. This nanocomposite material comprises carbon, hydrogen, silicon and oxygen as constituent elements. The layer has a stress which is less than 150 MPa in order to ensure a high degree of flexibility and a complete expandability. This lower stress is obtained by the inclusion of relatively large amounts of Si:O bonds. In a preferable embodiment the layer with diamond like nanocomposite material covers the stent (26) for 100%. This is obtained by allowing the stent to move freely along a wire during CAVD deposition.

Abstract: Delivery of Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) locally, particularly from an intraluminal prosthesis such as a coronary stent, directly from the surface of the prosthesis or from pores, micropores, or perforations in the stent body, mixed or bound to a polymer coating applied on the endoluminal prosthesis, or mixed or bound to a glue applied to the endoluminal prosthesis, to inhibit inflammation induced by the injury caused by the implantation of the prosthesis and neointimal tissue proliferation and ingrowth of tissue, thereby facilitating the performance of the prosthesis.