Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides medical devices 10 that each include a plurality of fibers 22, substantially all of the plurality of fibers 22 each including a portion having a maximum diameter of at least five micrometers, wherein substantially all of fibers 22 form a layer on at least one external surface of medical device 10. In another aspect, the present invention provides methods of manufacturing medical devices 10, the methods including the steps of: (a) applying a layer comprising a plurality of fibers 22 to at least one surface of medical device 10; and (b) matching the value of the Young's modulus of the layer to ±35% (in some embodiments to ±20%) of the value of the Young's modulus of an animal tissue.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention provides indented structures that each include (a) a body defining a plurality of indentations, substantially all of the plurality of indentations including a surface layer including a biologically active substance; and (b) a body surface, wherein each of the plurality of indentations opens onto the body surface through a plurality of openings, and wherein the biologically active substance is not substantially present on the body surface. Examples of structures of the present invention include medical devices, such as medical devices that are completely or partially implantable into a living body. The surface layer of the indentations (or at least some of the indentations) of the medical devices of the invention may include biologically active molecules, such as proteins, that promote the growth of cells into and/or within the indentations, thereby promoting the acceptance of the implanted device by the living body.