Abstract: The medical articles which including the following: (a) a ceramic or metallic region whose surface includes a plurality of depressions, (b) a multilayer coating region including multiple polyelectrolyte layers deposited over the surface of the ceramic or metallic region; and (c) a therapeutic agent disposed beneath or within the multilayer coating region. According to another aspect of the present invention, medical articles are provided, which include: (a) a ceramic or metallic region, (b) a multilayer coating region including multiple polyelectrolyte layers deposited over a surface of the ceramic or metallic region, the multilayer coating region including a plurality of protuberances; and (c) a therapeutic agent disposed within regions beneath the protuberances. Also described herein are methods of making such medical articles, and methods of administering a therapeutic agent to a patent using such medical articles.

Abstract: The medical articles which comprise the following: (a) a ceramic or metallic region whose surface comprises a plurality of depressions, (b) a multilayer coating region comprising multiple polyelectrolyte layers deposited over the surface of the ceramic or metallic region; and (c) a therapeutic agent disposed beneath or within the multilayer coating region. According to another aspect of the present invention, medical articles are provided, which comprise: (a) a ceramic or metallic region, (b) a multilayer coating region comprising multiple polyelectrolyte layers deposited over a surface of the ceramic or metallic region, the multilayer coating region comprising a plurality of protuberances; and (c) a therapeutic agent disposed within regions beneath the protuberances. Also described herein are methods of making such medical articles, and methods of administering a therapeutic agent to a patent using such medical articles.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a stent made of a relatively inflexible material yet which can still be moved from the crimped or radially contracted insertion position to the radially expanded deployed position. In one embodiment, portions of the stent are made out of relatively inflexible material and are connected together with a hinge connection.