Abstract: A method for producing a bioactive surface on an endoprosthesis, or on the balloon (3) of a balloon catheter (1) is described, wherein the surface (15) of the endoprosthesis, or the surface (4) of the balloon (3) is softened. The surface (15) of the endoprosthesis, or the surface (4) of the balloon (3) is moistened with a solution (6) of an active ingredient (7), and the solvent (8) is separated from the active ingredient (7). In addition, a balloon (3) of a balloon catheter (1) is disclosed, which comprises an uncoated surface (4), wherein an unencapsulated active ingredient (7) is embedded at least partially into the material of the surface (4). Furthermore, a balloon catheter (1) is described, which comprises a balloon (3) according to the invention. In addition, an endoprosthesis, particularly a polymer stent is described, which comprises an uncoated surface (15), wherein an active ingredient (7) is embedded at least partially into the material of the surface (15).

Abstract: A metallic endoprosthesis is provided and causes no significant artefacts on images taken by magnetic resonance tomography (MRT), as a result of the combination of the production materials with a special design, which permits an evaluation of the externally adjacent region and the lumen of the endoprosthesis by means of MRT. The endoprosthesis is made from a material with a magnetisability similar to human tissue. The design of the endoprosthesis is such that the members or wires of the endoprosthesis run extensively along the longitudinal axis of the endoprosthesis, without forming a closed circuit in a plane which is essentially perpendicular to the endoprosthesis longitudinal axis.

Abstract: The present invention describes a deposition method for applying an active ingredient onto an endoprosthesis with a thin polymer coating. By means of the inventive deposition method which can be carried out in a technically easy way it is possible to bring about a slow and largely constant active ingredient release, as shown in III. 1 using tretinoin as the example. Since further processing steps are not necessary after the application of the active ingredient(s), no destruction of the active ingredient by the application of a second polymer coating, for example, has to be feared. Thus, relatively unstable active ingredients, such as tretinoin, can also be applied onto the endoprosthesis without any problems.