Abstract:
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for manufacturing implantable medical devices, such as intravascular stents, wherein the medical device has a surface treated to promote the migration of endothelial cells onto the surface of the medical device. In particular, the surface of the medical device has at least one groove formed therein, the at least one groove may have a drug-eluting polymer disposed therein or a drug-eluting polymer coating may be provided on the surface of the medical device and grooves formed in the drug eluting polymer coating.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending, commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/861,219, filed May 18, 2001, which claims priority from provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/206,060, filed May 19, 2000, now expired, and is a continuation-in-part of co-pending, commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/716,146, filed Nov. 17, 2000 and is a continuation-in-part of co-pending, commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/103,576, filed May 9, 2011, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to methods and apparatus for manufacturing medical devices, including endoluminal stents, wherein the medical device has at least one groove on at least a first surface of the device that is generally in contact with endothelial tissue and blood flow when implanted within the body. A drug-eluting polymer is disposed within the groove, but does not otherwise cover the surface of the endoluminal stent, the groove having a drug-eluting polymer treated to promote the migration of endothelial cells onto the inner surface of the intravascular stent. 
         [0003]    Various types of intravascular or endoluminal stents have been used in recent years. An intravascular stent generally refers to a device used for the support of living tissue during the healing phase, including the support of internal structures. Intravascular stents, or stents, placed endoluminally, as by use of a catheter device, have been demonstrated to be highly efficacious in initially restoring patency to sites of vascular occlusion. Intravascular stents, or stents, may be of the balloon-expandable type, such as those of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,733,665; 5,102,417; or 5,195,984, which are distributed by Johnson &amp; Johnson Interventional Systems, of Warren, N.J., as the PALMAZ and the PALMAZ-SCHATZ balloon-expandable stents or balloon expandable stents of other manufacturers, as are known in the art. Other types of intravascular stents are known as self-expanding stents, such as Nitinol coil stents or self-expanding stents made of stainless steel wire formed into a zigzag tubular configuration. 
         [0004]    Intravascular stents are used, in general, as a mechanical means to solve the most common problems of percutaneous balloon angioplasty, such as elastic recoil and intimal dissection. One problem intraluminal stent placement shares with other revascularization procedures, including bypass surgery and balloon angioplasty, is restenosis of the artery. An important factor contributing to this possible reocclusion at the site of stent placement is injury to, and loss of, the natural nonthrombogenic lining of the arterial lumen, the endothelium. Loss of the endothelium, exposing the thrombogenic arterial wall matrix proteins, along with the generally thrombogenic nature of prosthetic materials, initiates platelet deposition and activation of the coagulation cascade. Depending on a multitude of factors, such as activity of the fibrinolytic system, the use of anticoagulants, and the nature of the lesion substrate, the result of this process may range from a small mural to an occlusive thrombus. Secondly, loss of the endothelium at the interventional site may be critical to the development and extent of eventual intimal hyperplasia at the site. Previous studies have demonstrated that the presence of an intact endothelial layer at an injured arterial site can significantly inhibit the extent of smooth muscle cell-related intimal hyperplasia. Rapid re-endothelialization of the arterial wall, as well as endothelialization of the prosthetic surface, or inner surface of the stent, are therefore critical for the prevention of low-flow thrombosis and for continued patency. Unless endothelial cells from another source are somehow introduced and seeded at the site, coverage of an injured area of endothelium is achieved primarily, at least initially, by migration of endothelial cells from adjacent arterial areas of intact endothelium. 
         [0005]    Those skilled in the art will understand that the term “intravascular stent” is intended to mean a stent that is placed within the body&#39;s vascular system. It will also be understood that the term “endoluminal stent” is intended to mean a stent that is placed within a body lumen. The vascular system being luminal, the term “endoluminal” is understood to encompass “intravascular” but not the reverse. While the present invention is described with specific reference to intravascular stents, one skilled in the art will understand that endoluminal stents are also contemplated as being within the scope of the invention. 
         [0006]    Although an in vitro biological coating to a stent in the form of seeded endothelial cells on metal stents has been previously proposed, there are believed to be serious logistic problems related to live-cell seeding, which may prove to be insurmountable. Thus, it would be advantageous to increase the rate at which endothelial cells from adjacent arterial areas of intact endothelium migrate upon the inner surface of the stent exposed to the flow of blood through the artery. At present, most intravascular stents are manufactured of stainless steel and such stents become embedded in the arterial wall by tissue growth weeks to months after placement. This favorable outcome occurs consistently with any stent design, provided it has a reasonably low metal surface and does not obstruct the fluid, or blood, flow through the artery. Furthermore, because of the fluid dynamics along the inner arterial walls caused by blood pumping through the arteries, along with the blood/endothelium interface itself, it has been desired that the stents have a very smooth surface to facilitate migration of endothelial cells onto the surface of the stent. In fact, it has been reported that smoothness of the stent surface after expansion is crucial to the biocompatibility of a stent, and thus, any surface topography other than smooth is not desired. Christoph Hehriein, et. al., Influence of Surface Texture and Charge On the Biocompatibility of Endovascular Stents, Coronary Artery Disease, Vol. 6, pages 581-586(1995). After the stent has been coated with serum proteins, the endothelium grows over the fibrin-coated metal surface on the inner surface of the stent until a continuous endothelial layer covers the stent surface, in days to weeks. Endothelium renders the thrombogenic metal surface protected from thrombus deposition, which is likely to form with slow or turbulent flow. At present, all intravascular stents made of stainless steel, or other alloys or metals, are provided with an extremely smooth surface finish, such as is usually obtained by electropolishing the metallic stent surfaces. Although presently known intravascular stents, specific including the PALMAZ and the PALMAZ-SCHATZ balloon-expandable stents have been demonstrated to be successful in the treatment of coronary disease, as an adjunct to balloon angioplasty, intravascular stents could be even more successful and efficacious, if the rate and/or speed of endothelial cell migration onto the inner surface of the stent could be increased. It is believed that providing at least one groove disposed in the inner surface of a stent increases the rate of migration of endothelial cells upon the inner surface of the stent after it has been implanted. Accordingly, the art has sought methods and apparatus for manufacturing an intravascular stent with at least one groove disposed in the inner surface of the stent. 
         [0007]    The present invention relates generally to an implantable device for in vivo delivery of bioactive compounds. The present invention provides an implantable structural material having a three-dimensional conformation suitable for loading a bioactive agent into the structural material, implanting the structural material in vivo and releasing the bioactive agent from the structural agent to deliver a pharmacologically acceptable level of the bioactive agent to an internal region of a body. More particularly, the present invention relates to an implantable medical device, such as an endoluminal stent, stent-graft, graft, valves, filters, occluders, osteal implant or the like, having cavitated regions with micropores that communicate a bioactive agent from the cavity to an area external the stent. 
         [0008]    The present invention may be used for any indication where it is desirable to deliver a bioactive agent to a local situs within a body over a period of time. For example, the present invention may be used in treating vascular occlusive disease, disorders or vascular injury, as an implantable contraceptive for delivery of a contraceptive agent delivered intrauterine or subcutaneously, to carry an anti-neoplastic agent or radioactive agent and implanted within or adjacent to a tumor, such as to treat prostate cancer, for time-mediated delivery of immunosuppresents, antiviral or antibiotic agents for treating of autoimmune disorders such as transplantation rejection or acquired immune disorders such as HIV, or to treat implant or non-implant-related inflammation or infections such as endocarditis. 
         [0009]    Occlusive diseases, disorders or trauma cause patent body lumens to narrow and restrict the flow or passage of fluid or materials through the body lumen. One example of occlusive disease is arteriosclerosis in which portions of blood vessels become occluded by the gradual build-up of arteriosclerotic plaque, this process is also known as stenosis. When vascular stenosis results in the functional occlusion of a blood vessel the vessel must be returned to its patent condition. Conventional therapies for treatment of occluded body lumens include dilatation of the body lumen using bioactive agents, such as tissue plasminogen activator (TPA) or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) gene transfers which have improved blood flow and collateral development in ischemic limb and myocardium (S. Yla-Herttuala,  Cardiovascular gene therapy,  Lancet, Jan. 15, 2000), surgical intervention to remove the blockage, replacement of the blocked segment with a new segment of endogenous or exogenous graft tissue, or the use of a catheter-mounted device such as a balloon catheter to dilate the body lumen or an artherectomy catheter to remove occlusive material. The dilation of a blood vessel with a balloon catheter is called percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. During angioplasty, a balloon catheter in a deflated state is inserted within an occluded segment of a blood vessel and is inflated and deflated a number of times to expand the vessel. Due to the inflation of the balloon catheter, the plaque formed on the vessel walls cracks and the vessel expands to allow increased blood flow through the vessel. 
         [0010]    In approximately sixty percent of angioplasty cases, the blood vessel remains patent. However, the restenosis rate of approximately forty percent is unacceptably high. Endoluminal stents of a wide variety of materials, properties and configurations have been used post-angioplasty in order to prevent restenosis and loss of patency in the vessel. 
         [0011]    While the use of endoluminal stents has successfully decreased the rate of restenosis in angioplasty patients, it has been found that a significant restenosis rate continues to exist even with the use of endoluminal stents. It is generally believed that the post-stenting restenosis rate is due, in major part, to a failure of the endothelial layer to regrow over the stent and the incidence of smooth muscle cell-related neointimal growth on the luminal surfaces of the stent. Injury to the endothelium, the natural nonthrombogenic lining of the arterial lumen, is a significant factor contributing to restenosis at the situs of a stent. Endothelial loss exposes thrombogenic arterial wall proteins, which, along with the generally thrombogenic nature of many prosthetic materials, such as stainless steel, titanium, tantalum, Nitinol, etc. customarily used in manufacturing stents, initiates platelet deposition and activation of the coagulation cascade, which results in thrombus formation, ranging from partial covering of the luminal surface of the stent to an occlusive thrombus. Additionally, endothelial loss at the site of the stent has been implicated in the development of neointimal hyperplasia at the stent situs. Accordingly, rapid re-endothelialization of the arterial wall with concomitant endothelialization of the body fluid or blood contacting surfaces of the implanted device is considered critical for maintaining vasculature patency and preventing low-flow thrombosis. To prevent restenosis and thrombosis in the area where angioplasty has been performed, anti-thrombosis agents and other biologically active agents can be employed. 
         [0012]    It has been found desirable to deliver bioactive agents to the area where a stent is placed concurrently with stent implantation. Many stents have been designed to delivery bioactive agents to the anatomical region of stent implantation. Some of these stents are biodegradable stents which are impregnated with bioactive agents. Examples of biodegradable impregnated stents are those found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,500,013, 5,429,634, and 5,443,458. Other known bioactive agent delivery stents include a stent disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,348 in which a bioactive agent is impregnated into filaments which are woven into or laminated onto a stent. U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,456 discloses a hydrophilic stent that may include a bioactive agent adsorbed which can include a biologically active agent disposed within the hydrophilic material of the stent. Other bioactive agent delivery stents disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,201,778, 5,282,823, 5,383,927; 5,383,928, 5,423,885, 5,441,515, 5,443,496, 5,449,382, 4,464,450, and European Patent Application No. 0 528 039. Other devices for endoluminal delivery of bioactive agents are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,797,485, 4,203,442, 4,309,776, 4,479,796, 5,002,661, 5,062,829, 5,180,366, 5,295,962, 5,304,121, 5,421,826, and International Application No. WO 94/18906. A directional release bioactive agent stent is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,071,305 in which a stent is formed of a helical member that has a groove in the abluminal surface of the helical member. A bioactive agent is loaded into the groove prior to endoluminal delivery and the bioactive agent is therefore in direct apposition to the tissue that the bioactive agent treats. Finally, International Application No. WO 00/18327 discloses a drug delivery stent in which a tubular conduit is wound into a helical stent. The tubular conduit has either a single continuous lumen or dual continuous lumens that extend the entire length of the conduit. The tubular conduit has regions or segments thereof that has pores to permit drug “seepage” from the conduit. One end of the tubular conduit is in fluid flow communication with a fluid delivery catheter, which introduces a fluid, such as drug into the continuous lumen and through the pores. 
         [0013]    Where bioabsorbable or non-bioabsorbable polymer-based or polymer-coated stents have been used, the polymers may cause an immune inflammatory response once the drug is eluted out of the polymer. Where a polymer is employed as the bioactive agent carrier, it is, therefore, desirable to either isolate or limit exposure of the polymer to body tissues in order to reduce or limit the possibility of immune inflammatory response after the bioactive agent has eluted. By disposing the polymer only in the grooves leaving the remaining device surface uncovered, the contact or surface are for interaction between tissue and polymer is limited. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    As used herein the term “bioactive agent” is intended to include one or more pharmacologically active compounds which may be in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and, optionally, additional ingredients such as antioxidants, stabilizing agents, permeation enhancers, and the like. Examples of bioactive agents which may be used in the present invention include but are not limited to antiviral drugs, antibiotic drugs, steroids, fibronectin, anti-clotting drugs, anti-platelet function drugs, drugs which prevent smooth muscle cell growth on inner surface wall of vessel, heparin, heparin fragments, aspirin, coumadin, tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), urokinase, hirudin, streptokinase, antiproliferatives, e.g., methotrexate, cisplatin, fluorouracil, Adriamycin, antioxidants, e.g., ascorbic acid, beta carotene, vitamin E, antimetabolites, thromboxane inhibitors, non-steroidal and steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppresents, such as rapomycin, beta and calcium channel blockers, genetic materials including DNA and RNA fragments, complete expression genes, antibodies, lymphokines, growth factors, e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF)), prostaglandins, leukotrienes, laminin, elastin, collagen, nitric oxide (NO) and integrins. 
         [0015]    The use of the term “groove” is intended to be construed as an elongate channel, recess or depression, having a length, a width and a depth, the length being greater than the width and the depth being less than a distance between the first surface and second surface of the medical device. The groove may have a wide variety of transverse cross-sectional shapes as described hereinafter, and may have a wide variety of elongate shapes, including linear, curvilinear, meandering, zigzag, sinusoidal, or the like relative to the surface in which the groove resides. The groove may also have constant or variable widths and depths along its length. Provided, however, that at no point along the groove&#39;s length may the depth of the groove be greater than the distance between the first surface and second surface of the medical device, that is, a groove is not a slot, even where the slot may be bounded by or in close proximity with an adjacent layer of material, such as in a coiling tubular sheet stent. In the instance of medical device consisting of a coiled sheet of material having successive adjacent layers of the sheet material, the grooves will have a depth less than the thickness of the single sheet before it is coiled and not pass through or form slots passing through any single layer of a coiled medical device. 
         [0016]    The inventive structural material has a three dimensional conformation having a geometry and construction in there is at least one groove in a surface of the structural material and a vehicle or carrier, such as a polymer, for holding or adsorbing the bioactive agent and permitting it to elute from the vehicle or carrier once implanted into the body. The bioactive agent vehicle is disposed only in the at least one groove and does not otherwise cover the surface of the structural material. The three dimensional conformation of the structural material may assume a cylindrical, tubular, planar, spherical, curvilinear or other general shape which is desired and suited for a particular implant application. For example, in accordance with the present invention there is provided an endoluminal stent that is made of a plurality of structural members that define a generally tubular shape for the endoluminal stent. At least some of the plurality of structural members are comprised of the inventive structural material and have at least one groove on at least an inner surface of the stent. Alternate types of implantable devices contemplated by the present invention include, without limitation, stent-grafts, grafts, heart valves, venous valves, filters, occlusion devices, catheters, osteal implants, implantable contraceptives, implantable anti-tumor pellets or rods, or other implantable medical devices. 
         [0017]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an endoluminal stent for delivery of bioactive agents. The stent may have plural structural elements or may be made of a single structural element formed into a generally tubular, diametrically expansible stent. At least one groove is provided in at least one of the luminal or inner surface or the abluminal or outer surface of the stent that retains the bioactive agents and permits elution of the bioactive agent therefrom. The at least one groove may be linear, curved, serpentine, zigzag or other configuration in the surface of the stent such that when implanted, at least a portion of the at least one groove is oriented generally parallel to an axis of blood flow within a blood vessel to promote endothelial cell migration and proliferation along the axis of the at least one groove. 
         [0018]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a metal thin film, coiling stent, formed of a planar sheet of metal thin film which is coiled into a tubular structure having successive windings of the planar sheet of metal thin film. At least one surface of the planar sheet of metal thin film has at least one groove in the surface such that upon coiling, the at least one groove resides, in full or at least in part, on either the ultimate outer or abluminal surface or the ultimate inner or luminal surface of the coiled stent. 
         [0019]    In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a bioabsorbable polymer formed in a solid or tubular cylindrical shape and having a bioactive agent associated therewith and elutable therefrom. At least one of a plurality of grooves are formed on at least an outer surface of the polymeric cylinder. The cylinder is implantable sub-dermally and the grooves serve to promote endothelial cell growth onto and across the surface Other than described herein, the present invention does not depend upon the particular geometry, material, material properties or configuration of the stent. 
         [0020]    In accordance with the invention, the foregoing advantage has been achieved through the present methods and apparatus for manufacturing an endoluminal stent with at least one groove disposed in the inner surface of the stent. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a endoluminal stent by first forming a stent having an inner surface and an outer surface; and then forming at least one groove in the inner surface of the stent by etching the inner surface with a mechanical process. 
         [0022]    Various mechanical etching processes can be used. In one preferred embodiment, a mandrel is placed inside the stent, and then a mechanical force is provided to impart at least one groove formed on the outer surface of the mandrel to the inner surface of the stent. Such mechanical force may be provided by one or more calendaring rollers rotating against the outer surface of the stent, or by one or more stamping devices disposed about the outer surface of the stent. The mandrel may have an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of the stent when the stent is expanded. 
         [0023]    In another preferred embodiment, the mechanical etching process may comprise the steps of placing an impression roller inside the stent, and rotating the impression roller within the stent to impart at least one groove formed on the exterior of the impression roller into the inner surface of the stent. 
         [0024]    In still another preferred embodiment, the mechanical etching process may comprise the steps of disposing the stent upon an expanding mandrel in the unexpanded configuration of the mandrel, and then expanding the mandrel outwardly to impart at least one groove on the outer surface of the mandrel to the inner surface of the stent. Particularly, the expanding mandrel may be formed of a plurality of mating and tapered segments having at least one groove on the outer surface. 
         [0025]    In another preferred embodiment, the mechanical etching process may comprise the step of moving a tapered mandrel into and along the inner surface of the stent. During the movement, the tapered mandrel provides a cutting force, which cuts at least one groove onto the inner surface of the stent. Particularly, the stent is in an expanded configuration, and the tapered mandrel either has a plurality of cutting teeth on its outer surface, or has an outer surface with a metal cutting profile. More particularly, the cutting teeth may be abrasive particles including diamond chips and tungsten carbide chips. 
         [0026]    In another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a metallic intravascular stent by first forming a stent having an inner surface and an outer surface; and then forming at least one groove on the inner surface of the stent by etching the inner surface with a chemical process. Preferably, the chemical process may comprise the steps of coating the inner surface of the stent with a photosensitive material; inserting a mask into the stent; irradiating the inner surface of the stent by a light source; removing the mask from the stent; and etching light exposed areas to produce at least one groove In the inner surface of the stent. The mask may be disposed upon a deflated balloon before its insertion, and the balloon becomes expanded after the insertion. The light source may be a coaxial light source with multiple beams of light in a single plane, and may be displaced along the longitudinal axis of the stent. During the etching process, either the light source may be driven by a stepper motor for rotational movements, or the mask maybe driven for rotational movements with the light source fixed. 
         [0027]    In still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a metallic intravascular stent by first forming a stent having an inner surface and an outer surface; and then forming at least one groove on the inner surface of the stent by etching the inner surface with a laser. 
         [0028]    In yet another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a metallic intravascular stent by first forming a stent having an inner surface and an outer surface; and then forming at least one groove in the inner surface of the stent by etching the inner surface with an electric discharge machining process. The electric discharge machining process may include the steps of inserting an electric discharge machining electrode into the stent; rotating the electrode within the stent; and providing current to the electrode to cut at least one groove into the inner surface of the stent. 
         [0029]    It has been found that by providing at least one groove on the inner surface of an endoluminal stent, the rate of endothelial cell attachment onto the stent and the rate of migration of endothelial cells along the grooves and the inner surface of the stent is also increased. This leads to a significantly more rapid development of a healthy endothelium at the site of stent placement. 
         [0030]    In still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a stent having at least one groove on the inner surface of the stent and a drug-eluting polymer is disposed within the groove, but not otherwise on the inner surface of the stent. This configuration will allow the benefits of the more rapid development of a healthy endothelium than that associated with stents not having the groove, as well as the benefits from the presence of bioactive agents or drugs that can act to suppress cellular 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a partial cross sectional perspective view of a portion of a intravascular stent embedded within an arterial wall of a patient; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the outlined portion of  FIG. 1  denoted as  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is a partial cross-sectional, perspective view corresponding to  FIG. 1  after the passage of time; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the outlined portion of  FIG. 3  denoted as  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of the stent and artery of  FIGS. 1 and 3  after a further passage of time; 
           [0036]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the outlined portion of  FIG. 5  denoted as  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view of the stent and artery of  FIG. 5 , taken along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 , and illustrates rapid endothelialization resulting in a thin neointimal layer covering the stent; 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  is a plan view of an interior portion of an unexpanded intravascular stent in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0039]      FIGS. 9-16  are various embodiments of an exploded view of a groove taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 , illustrating various cross-sectional configurations and characteristics of various embodiments of grooves in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 17  is an exploded perspective view of a calendaring apparatus for manufacturing stents in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 18  is a partial cross-sectional view of a stamping apparatus for manufacturing stents in accordance with the present invention, looking down the longitudal axis of a mandrel; 
           [0042]      FIG. 19  is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus utilizing an impression roller to manufacturer stents in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 20  is an exploded perspective view of an expanding mandrel apparatus for manufacturing stents in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 21  is a partial cross-sectional view of the mandrel of  FIG. 20 , taken along lines  21 - 21  of  FIG. 20 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 22  is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus utilizing a tapered mandrel to manufacture stents in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0046]      FIG. 23  is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus utilizing a chemical removal method to manufacture stents in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0047]      FIG. 23A  is a partial cross-sectional exploded view of a portion of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 23B  is a partial cross-sectional exploded view of a portion of  FIG. 23 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 24A  is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus utilizing a rotating coaxial light source to inscribe microgrooves inside an intact tubular stent in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0050]      FIG. 24B  is an exploded perspective view of an apparatus utilizing a rotating mask and fixed light source to inscribe microgrooves inside an intact tubular stent in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0051]      FIG. 25  is an exploded perspective view of an electric discharge machining apparatus for manufacturing stents in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0052]      FIGS. 26-33  are various embodiments of an exploded view of a groove taken along line  9 - 9  of  FIG. 8 , illustrating various cross-sectional configurations and characteristics of various embodiments of grooves having a drug eluting polymer disposed within the groove in accordance with the present invention 
       
    
    
       [0053]    While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention of that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0054]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an intravascular stent  200  is illustrated being disposed within an artery  290  in engagement with arterial wall  210 . For illustrative purposes only, intravascular stent  200 , shown in  FIGS. 1-6  is a Palmaz.™. balloon-expandable stent, as is known in the art, stent  200  having an inner surface  201  and an outer surface  202 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate stent  200  shortly after it has been placed within artery  290 , and after stent  200  has been embedded into arterial wall  210 , as is known in the art.  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate what may be generally characterized as correct placement of an intravascular stent. Stent  200  preferably includes a plurality of metal members, or struts,  203 , which may be manufactured of stainless steel, or other metal materials, as is known in the art. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , correct placement of stent  200  results in tissue mounds  211  protruding between the struts  203 , after struts  203  have been embedded in the arterial wall  210 . Struts  203  also form troughs, or linear depressions,  204  in arterial wall  210 . Dependent upon the degree of blockage of artery  290 , and the type and amount of instrumentation utilized prior to placement of stent  200 , the mounds of tissue  211  may retain endothelial cells (not shown). 
         [0055]    With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , after the passage of time, a thin layer of thrombus  215  rapidly fills the depressions  204 , and covers the inner surfaces  201  of stent  200 . As seen in  FIG. 4 , the edges  216  of thrombus  215  feather toward the tissue mounds  211  protruding between the struts  203 . The endothelial cells which were retained on tissue mounds  211  can provide for reendothelialization of arterial wall  210 . 
         [0056]    With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , endothelial regeneration of artery wall  210  proceeds in a multicentric fashion, as illustrated by arrows  217 , with the endothelial cells migrating to, and over, the struts  203  of stent  200  covered by thrombus  215 . Assuming that the stent  200  has been properly implanted, or placed, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the satisfactory, rapid endothelialization results in a thin tissue layer  218 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . As is known in the art, to attain proper placement, or embedding, of stent  200 , stent  200  must be slightly overexpanded. In the case of stent  200 , which is a balloon-expandable stent, the balloon diameter chosen for the final expansion of stent  200  must be 10% to 15% larger than the matched diameter of the artery, or vessel, adjacent the site of implantation. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the diameter Di of the lumen  219  of artery  290  is satisfactory. If the reendothelialization of artery wall  210  is impaired by underexpansion of the stent or by excessive denudation of the arterial wall prior to, or during, stent placement, slower reendothelialization occurs. This results in increased thrombus deposition, proliferation of muscle cells, and a decreased luminal diameter Di, due to the formation of a thicker neointimal layer. 
         [0057]    With reference to  FIG. 8 , an intravascular stent  300  in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. For illustrative purposes only, the structure of intravascular stent  300  is illustrated as being a PALMAZ balloon-expandable stent, as is known in the art, illustrated in its initial, unexpanded configuration. It should be understood that the improvement of the present invention is believed to be suitable for use with any intravascular stent having any construction or made of any material as will be hereinafter described. Similarly, the improvement of the present invention in methods for manufacturing intravascular stents, is also believed to be applicable to the manufacturing of any type of intravascular stent as will also be hereinafter described. 
         [0058]    As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , intravascular stent, or stent,  300  has an inner surface  301 , and an outer surface  302 , outer surface  302  normally being embedded into arterial wall  210  in an abutting relationship. In accordance with the present invention, the inner surface  301  of stent  300  is provided with at least one groove  400 . If desired, as will be hereinafter described in greater detail, a plurality of grooves  400  could be provided on, or in, inner surface  301  of stent  300 . The at least one groove  400 , or grooves, of the present invention may be provided in, or on, the inner surface  301  of stent  300  in any suitable manner, such as by: abrading the inner surface  301  of stent  300  to provide the at least one groove  400 ; a chemical or mechanical etching process; use of a laser or laser etching process; use of a diamond-tipped tool; use of any suitable abrasive material; or use of any tool or process, which can provide the desired groove, or grooves,  400  in, or on, the inner surface  301  of stent  300 , as will be hereinafter described in greater detail. 
         [0059]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , the at least one groove, or grooves,  400  may be disposed with its longitudinal axis  410  being disposed substantially parallel with the longitudinal axis  305  of stent  300 . Alternatively, the longitudinal axis  410  of the at least one groove  400  may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  305  of stent  300 , as illustrated by groove  400 ″″; or the longitudinal axis  410  of the groove may be disposed at an obtuse, or acute, angle with respect to the longitudinal axis  305  of stent  300 , as illustrated by groove  400 ′. The angle that groove  400 ′ makes with respect to longitudinal axis  305  is either an acute or an obtuse angle dependent upon from which direction the angle is measured with respect to the longitudinal axis  305  of stent  300 . For example, if the angle between the longitudinal axis of groove  400 ′ and longitudinal axis  305  is measured as indicated by arrows A, the angle is an acute angle. If the angle is measured, as at arrows B, the angle is an obtuse angle. 
         [0060]    Still with reference to  FIG. 8 , a plurality of grooves  400  may be provided on the inner surface  301  of stent  300 , two grooves  400  being shown for illustrative purposes only. Instead of a plurality of individual grooves, such as grooves  400 , a single groove  400 ″ could be provided in a serpentine fashion, so as to cover as much of the inner surface  301  of stent  300  as desired. Similarly, the grooves could be provided in a cross-hatched manner, or pattern, as shown by grooves  400 ″′. Grooves  400 ,  400 ′,  400 ″,  400 ″′, and  400 ″″ could be provided alone or in combination with each other, as desired, to provide whatever pattern of grooves is desired, including a symmetrical, or an asymmetrical, pattern of grooves. It should be noted that the angular disposition and location of the various grooves  400 - 400 ″″ will vary and be altered upon the expansion of stent  300  within artery  201  ( FIG. 1 ), stent  300  being illustrated in its unexpanded configuration in  FIG. 8 . Similarly, if stent  300  were a stent made of wire or lengths of wire, the disposition and angular orientation of the grooves formed on such wire, or wire members, would similarly be altered upon the expansion and implantation of such stent. It should be further noted, as previously discussed, that the groove, or grooves, may be provided in, or on, the inner surface of any intravascular stent, so as to increase the rate of migration of endothelial cells on, and over, the inner surface of the intravascular stent. 
         [0061]    With reference to  FIGS. 9-16 , various embodiments of groove  400  will be described in greater detail. In general, as seen in  FIG. 9 , groove  400  has a width W, a depth D, and a length L ( FIG. 8 ). The width W and depth D may be the same, and not vary, along the length L of the groove  400 . Alternatively, the width W of the groove may vary along the length L of the groove  400 . Alternatively, the depth D of the groove may vary along the length L of the at least one groove. Alternatively, both the width W and the depth D of the groove  400  may vary along the length of the at least one groove. Similarly, as with the location and angular disposition of groove, or grooves,  400  as described in connection with  FIG. 8 , the width W, depth D, and length L of the groove, or grooves,  400  can vary as desired, and different types and patterns of grooves  400  could be disposed on the inner surface  301  of stent  300 . 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIGS. 9-16 , groove  400  may have a variety of different cross-sectional configurations. As desired, the cross-sectional configuration of the groove, or grooves,  400  may vary along the length L of the groove; or the cross-sectional configuration of the groove may not vary along the length of the at least one groove  400 . Similarly, combinations of such cross-sectional configurations for the grooves could be utilized. The cross-sectional configuration of the groove, or grooves,  400  may be substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis  410  of groove  400  as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 ; or the cross-sectional configuration of the at least one groove may be substantially asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis  410  of the least one groove, as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 16 . The cross-sectional configurations of groove  400  can assume a variety of shapes, some of which are illustrated in  FIGS. 9-16 , and include those cross-sectional configurations which are substantially: square shaped ( FIG. 9 ); U shaped ( FIG. 10 ); triangular, or V shaped ( FIG. 1 ); rectangular shaped ( FIG. 12 ); and triangular, or keyway shaped ( FIG. 13 ). The wall surface  303  of each groove  400  may be substantially smooth, such as illustrated in  FIGS. 9-13 , or wall surface  303  may be jagged, or roughened, as illustrated in  FIGS. 14 and 16 . As illustrated in  FIG. 15 , wall surface  303  could also be provided with at least one protrusion  304  and at least one indentation  305  if desired, and additional protrusions and indentations  304 ,  305  could be provided as desired. 
         [0063]    The depth D of groove, or grooves,  400  may fall within a range of approximately one-half to approximately ten microns. The width W of groove, or grooves,  400 , may fall within a range of approximately two to approximately forty microns. Of course, the width W and depth D could be varied from the foregoing ranges, provided the rate of migration of endothelial cells onto stent  300  is not impaired. The length L of groove  400  may extend the entire length of stent  300 , such as groove  400  of  FIG. 8 ; or the length L′ of a groove may be less than the entire length of stent  300 , such as groove  400 ″″ in  FIG. 8 . The groove, or grooves, of the present invention may be continuous, or discontinuous, along inner surface  301  of stent  300 . 
         [0064]    The portion of the inner surface  301  of stent  300  which has not been provided with a groove, or grooves,  400  in accordance with the present invention, may have any suitable, or desired, surface finish, such as an electropolished surface, as is known in the art, or may be provided with whatever surface finish or coating is desired. It is believed that when at least one groove in accordance with the present invention is disposed, or provided, on, or in, the inner surface  301  of an intravascular stent  300 , after the implantation of stent  300 , the rate of migration of endothelial cells upon the inner surface  301  of stent  300  will be increased over that rate of migration which would be obtained if the inner surface  301  were not provided with at least one groove in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0065]    To manufacture intravascular stents with at least one groove disposed in the inner surface of the stent, the current best technology for inscribing microgrooves on metals seems to be photoetching. The present invention provides improved methods of inscribing the grooved pattern inside an intact tubular stent. 
         [0066]    With reference to  FIG. 17 , a calendaring apparatus  450  is illustrated forming at least one groove  400  (not shown) on, or in, the inner surface  301  of stent blank  300 . Calendaring apparatus  450  includes at least one calendaring roller  451  and an inner mandrel  452 . Calendaring roller  451  is provided with a bearing shaft  453  and a pinion gear  454 , which is driven by a gear drive  455  and gear drive apparatus  456 . Bearing shaft  453  is received in a bearing block  457 , which has a groove  458  for receipt of bearing shaft  453 . Bearing block  457  also includes a bottom plate  459  and bearing block  457  is movable therein, in the direction shown by arrows  460 , as by slidably mating with slots  461  formed in bottom plate  459 . Bearing block  457  is further provided with an opening, or bearing journal,  465  for rotatably receiving mounting hub  466  disposed upon the end of mandrel  452 . Calendaring roller is rotated in the direction shown by arrow  467  and bears against the outer surface  302  of stent blank  300 , with a force sufficient to impart the groove pattern  468  formed on the outer surface of mandrel  452  to the inner surface  301  of stent blank  300 . Mandrel  452  will have a raised groove pattern  468  on the outer surface of mandrel  452 , corresponding to the desired groove, or grooves,  400  to be formed on, or in, the inner surface  301  of stent  300 . The raised groove pattern  468  of mandrel  452  must be hardened sufficiently to enable the formation of many stents  300  without dulling the groove pattern  468  of mandrel  452 . Mandrel  452  may have a working length corresponding to the length of the stent  300  and an overall length longer than its working length, to permit the receipt of mandrel mounting hub  466  within bearing block  457  and mounting hub  466  within gear drive apparatus  456 . 
         [0067]    Still with reference to  FIG. 17 , the outer diameter of mandrel  452  is preferably equal to the inner diameter of the stent  300  in its collapsed state. The groove pattern  468  may correspond to the desired groove pattern of groove, or grooves,  400  to be formed on the inner surface  301  of stent  300  after stent  300  has been fully expanded. If the desired groove pattern upon expansion of stent  300  is to have the groove, or grooves  400  become parallel to each other upon expansion of the stent  300 , along the longitudal axis of the expanded stent  300 , groove pattern  468 , or the pre-expanded groove pattern, must have an orientation to obtain the desired post expansion groove pattern, after radial expansion of stent  300 . Stent  300  may be pre-expanded slightly to facilitate its placement on the mandrel  452  in order to prevent scratching of the stent  300 . Mandrel  452  may include an orientation mechanism, or pin  469  which mates with a corresponding notch  469 ′ on stent blank  300 , in order to insure proper orientation of stent blank  300  with respect to mandrel  452 . Stent  300  may be crimped circumferentially around mandrel  452  after it has been properly oriented. The force to impart the desired groove pattern  468  upon, or in, the inner surface  301  of stent  300  is provided by calendaring roller  451 . 
         [0068]    With reference to  FIG. 18 , an alternative structure is provided to impart the desired groove pattern in, or upon, the inner surface  301  of stent blank  300 . In lieu of calendaring roller  451 , a punch press, or stamping apparatus,  470  may be utilized to force the inner surface  301  of stent  300  upon the groove pattern  468  of mandrel  452 . Stamping apparatus  470  may include a hydraulic cylinder  471  and hydraulic piston  472 , attached to a stamping segment  473 . The inner surface  474  of stamping segment  473  has a radius of curvature which matches the outer radius of curvature  475  of stent  300 , when it is disposed upon mandrel  452 . If desired, a plurality of stamping devices  470 ′ may be disposed about the outer surface  302  of stent  300 , or alternatively a single stamping device  470  may be utilized, and stent  300  and mandrel  452  may be rotated to orient the stent  300  beneath the stamping segment  473 . 
         [0069]    With reference to  FIG. 19 , the desired grooves  400  may be formed on the inner surface  301  of stent blank  300  by an impression roller  480  which serves as the inner mandrel. Impression roller  480  is supported at its ends by roller bearing block  481 , similar in construction to previously described bearing block  457 . Similarly, a gear drive, or drive gear mechanism,  482  may be provided, which is also similar in construction to gear drive  455 . Impression roller  480  has a bearing shaft  483  at one end of impression roller  480 , bearing shaft  483  being received by an opening, or journal bearing,  484  in bearing block  481 . The other end of impression roller  480  may have a pinion gear  485  which is received within rotating ring gear  486  in gear drive mechanism  482 . A backup housing, such as a two-part backup housing  487 ,  487 ′ may be provided for fixedly securing stent blank  300  while impression roller  480  is rotated within stent blank  300  to impart groove pattern  468  formed on the exterior of impression roller  480  to the inner surface  301  of stent blank  300 . 
         [0070]    With reference to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , an expanding mandrel apparatus  500  for forming the desired at least one groove  400  on, or in, the inner surface  301  of stent blank  300  is illustrated. Expanding mandrel  501  is preferably formed of a plurality of mating and tapered segments  502  having the desired groove pattern  468  formed on the outer surface  503  of each segment  502 . Stent blank  300  is disposed upon expanding mandrel  501  in the unexpanded configuration of expanding mandrel  501 , stent blank  300  being oriented with respect to mandrel  501 , as by the previously described notch  469 ′ and pin  469 . A backup housing  487  and  487 ′, as previously described in connection with  FIG. 19 , may be utilized to retain stent blank  300  while expanding mandrel  501  is expanded outwardly to impart the desired groove pattern  468  upon, or in, the inner surface  301  of stent blank  300 . In this regard, expanding mandrel  501  is provided with a tapered interior piston  505 , which upon movement in the direction of arrow  506  forces mandrel segments  502  outwardly to assume their desired expanded configuration, which forces groove pattern  468  on mandrel  501  against the inner surface  301  of stent blank  300 . O-rings  507  may be utilized to secure stent  300  upon mandrel  501 . 
         [0071]    With reference to  FIG. 22 , a tapered mandrel groove forming apparatus  530  is illustrated. Tapered mandrel  531  is supported by a mandrel support bracket, or other suitable structure,  532  to fixedly secure tapered mandrel  531  as shown in  FIG. 22 . The end  533  of tapered mandrel  531 , has a plurality of cutting teeth  534  disposed thereon. The cutting teeth  534  may be abrasive particles, such as diamond chips, or tungsten carbide particles or chips, which are secured to tapered mandrel  531  in any suitable manner, and the cutting teeth  534  form the desired groove, or grooves,  400  on, or in, the inner surface  301  of stent blank  300 . Alternatively, instead of cutting teeth  534 , the outer surface  535  of tapered mandrel  531  could be provided with a surface comparable to that formed on a metal cutting file or rasp, and the file, or rasp, profile would form the desired grooves  400 . A stent holding fixture  537  is provided to support stent blank  300  in any desired manner, and the stent holding fixture  367  may be provided with a piston cylinder mechanism,  368 ,  369  to provide relative movement of stent  300  with respect to tapered mandrel  531 . Alternatively, stent  300  can be fixed, and a suitable mechanism can be provided to move tapered mandrel  531  into and along the inner surface  301  of stent  300 . Preferably, stent  300  is in its expanded configuration. 
         [0072]    With reference to  FIGS. 23 ,  23 A and  23 B, a chemical removal technique and apparatus  600  for forming the desired groove, or grooves,  400  on, or in, the interior surface  301  of stent blank  300  is illustrated. A stent holding fixture  601  is provided, and holding fixture  601  may be similar in construction to that of stent holding fixture  367  of  FIG. 22 . Again, stent blank  300  is provided with an orientation notch, or locator slot,  469 ′. A photo mask  602  is formed from a material such as Mylar film. The dimensions of the mask,  602  correspond to the inner surface area of the inner surface  301  of stent  300 . The mask  602  is formed into a cylindrical orientation to form a mask sleeve  603 , which is wrapped onto a deflated balloon  605 , such as a balloon of a conventional balloon angioplasty catheter. A conventional photoresist material is spin coated onto the inner surface  301  of stent blank  300 . The mask sleeve  603 , disposed upon balloon  605  is inserted into stent  300 , and balloon  605  is expanded to force the mask sleeve  603  into an abutting relationship with the photoresist coated inner surface  301  of stent  300 . Balloon  605  may be provided with an orientation pin  606  which corresponds with an orientation notch  607  on mask sleeve  603 , which in turn is also aligned with locator slot  469 ′ on stent blank  300 . The expansion of balloon  605  is sufficient to sandwich mask sleeve  603  into abutting contact with the photoresist coated inner surface  301  of stent  300 ; however, the balloon  605  is not inflated enough to squeeze the photoresist material off the stent  300 . The interior surface  301  of stent  300  is then irradiated through the inside of the balloon  605  through the balloon wall, as by a suitable light source  610 . Balloon  605  is then deflated and mask sleeve  603  is removed from the interior of stent  300 . The non-polymerized photoresist material is rinsed off and the polymerized resist material is hard baked upon the interior of stent  300 . The groove, or grooves  400  are then chemically etched into the non-protected metal surface on the interior surface  301  of stent  300 . The baked photoresist material is then removed by either conventional chemical or mechanical techniques. 
         [0073]    Alternatively, instead of using a Mylar sheet as a mask  602  to form mask sleeve  603 , mask  602  may be formed directly upon the outer surface of balloon  605 , as shown in  FIG. 23A . The production of mask  602  directly upon the balloon outer surface can be accomplished by physically adhering the mask  602  onto the outer surface of balloon  605 , or by forming the mask  602  onto the surface of balloon  605  by deposition of the desired groove pattern  468  by deposition of UV absorbing material by thin film methods. In the case of utilizing mask sleeve  603  as shown in  FIG. 23B , the balloon material must be compliant enough so as to prevent creases from the balloon wall which may shadow the resulting mask  602 . In the case of mask  602  being formed on balloon  605  as shown in  FIG. 23A , a non-compliant balloon  605  should be used, so as not to distort the resulting image by the stretching of the compliant balloon wall. If on the other hand, the mask  602  is physically adhered to the outer wall of balloon  605 , a compliant balloon  605  may be used provided the mask  602  is adhered to the balloon  605  when the balloon  605  is in its fully expanded diameter. 
         [0074]    With reference to  FIGS. 24A and 24B , a method is shown for creating grooves inside an intact tubular stent  300 , which involves casting patterned light inside a stent  300  previously coated with photosensitive material as discussed, for example, in connection with  FIG. 23  (PSM). The light exposed areas are subjected to chemical etching to produce the grooved pattern. This method involves using a coaxial light source  800  with multiple small beams  801  of light in a single plane. The light source  800  could be displaced along the longitudinal axis of the tube, or stent  300 , at a rate consistent with adequate exposure of the photosensitive material. Computer driven stepper motors could be utilized to drive the light source in the x and y planes, which would allow for interlacing grooves (see  FIG. 24A ). One pass could create 1 mm spacing, while the next pass creates 500 μm, and so on. 
         [0075]    Rotational movements could introduce variability in the groove direction for zig-zag, spiral or undulating patterns. Alternatively, the light source  800  could be fixed as shown in FIG.  24 B, and the beams would be as narrow and long as the grooves needed on the inner surface of the mask  602 . Stepping of the mask  602  would allow narrow spacing of the grooves. 
         [0076]    With reference to  FIG. 25 , an EDM process and apparatus  700  provide the desired groove, or grooves,  400  upon the interior  301  of stent  300 . A non-conductive stent alignment and holding fixture  701 ,  701 ′, similar in construction to backup housings  487 ,  487 ′, previously described, are provided for holding stent like blank  300 . A bearing block assembly  702 , similar to bearing block assembly  481  of  FIG. 19 , is provided along with an indexing and current transfer disk  703  provided within a drive gear mechanism  704 , which is similar in construction to drive gear mechanisms  482  and  455 , previously described in connection with  FIGS. 19 and 17 . An electric discharge machining (“EDM”) electrode  710  having bearing shafts  711 ,  712 , disposed at its ends, for cooperation with bearing block assembly  702  and disk  703 , respectively, is rotated within stent blank  300 . Current is provided to the raised surfaces, or groove pattern,  468 , of electrode  710  to cut the desired groove, or grooves  400  into the inner surface  301  of stent  300 . 
         [0077]    Finally, turning to  FIGS. 26-33  there is illustrate the another embodiment of the present invention which includes a polymer-filled groove  800 . Like the foregoing described embodiments of the at least one groove  400  described with reference to  FIGS. 9-16 , the polymer-filled groove  800  may have a variety of different cross-sectional configurations. As desired, the cross-sectional configuration of the groove, or grooves,  800  may vary along the length L of the groove; or the cross-sectional configuration of the groove may not vary along the length of the at least one groove  800 . Similarly, combinations of such cross-sectional configurations for the grooves could be utilized. The cross-sectional configuration of the groove, or grooves,  800  may be substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of groove  800 ; or the cross-sectional configuration of the at least one groove may be substantially asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the least one groove. The cross-sectional configurations of groove  400  can assume a variety of shapes, some of which are illustrated in  FIGS. 26-33 , and include those cross-sectional configurations which are substantially: square shaped ( FIG. 26 ); U shaped ( FIG. 27 ); triangular, or V shaped ( FIG. 28 ); rectangular shaped ( FIG. 29 ); and truncated triangular, or keyway shaped ( FIG. 30 ). The wall surface  303  of each groove  800  may be substantially smooth, such as illustrated in  FIGS. 26-30 , or wall surface  303  may be jagged, or roughened, as illustrated in  FIGS. 31 and 33 . As illustrated in  FIG. 32 , wall surface  303  could also be provided with at least one protrusion  304  and at least one indentation  305  if desired, and additional protrusions and indentations  304 ,  305  could be provided as desired. 
         [0078]    The depth D of groove, or grooves,  800  may fall within a range of approximately one-half to approximately ten microns. The width W of groove, or grooves,  800 , may fall within a range of approximately two to approximately forty microns. Of course, the width W and depth D could be varied from the foregoing ranges, provided the rate of migration of endothelial cells onto stent  300  is not impaired. The length L of groove  800  may extend the entire length of stent  300 , such as groove  400  of  FIG. 8 ; or the length L′ of a groove  800  may be less than the entire length of stent  300 , such as groove  400 ″″ in  FIG. 8 . The groove, or grooves, of the present invention may be continuous, or discontinuous, along inner surface  301  of stent  300 . 
         [0079]    A biocompatible polymer  810  is disposed within at least a portion of groove  800 , and more preferably at least a substantial portion of groove  800 . Biocompatible polymer  810  is of the type capable of eluting bioactive agents. Specific bioactive agent eluting polymers are well known in the art and are hereby incorporated by reference. 
         [0080]    The biocompatible polymer  810  is present only in the groove  800  and not otherwise on either the inner surface  301  or the outer surface  302  of the stent  300 . As discussed above, the portion of the inner surface  301  or outer surface  302  of stent  300  which has not been provided with a groove, or grooves,  800 , and therefore does not have polymer  810  thereupon, may have any suitable, or desired, surface finish, such as an electropolished surface, as is known in the art, or may be provided with whatever surface finish or coating is desired. It has been found that when at least one groove in accordance with the present invention is disposed, or provided, on, or in, the inner surface  301  of an intravascular stent  300 , after the implantation of stent  300 , the rate of attachment, migration and proliferation of endothelial cells upon the inner surface  301  of stent  300  is increased over that rate of attachment, migration and proliferation observed in stents that do not have the at least one groove in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0081]    Table 1, below, summarizes the migration distance of endothelial cells onto metal, polymer and hybrid metal-polymer coupon surfaces both with and without grooves in accordance with the present invention. The tests reflected in Table 1 were conducted by preparing metal coupon samples which were 1 cm square of either All coupon samples are 1 cm square 316L Stainless steel or L605 Cobalt-Chrome with exposed metal surfaces electropolished and passivated. Coupon thickness was between about 0.020″-0.025″. Parylene C was coated onto the coupons by chemical vapor deposition to a thickness between 2-3 microns. Groove dimensions were 12 microns in width and 3 microns in depth with 12 micron spacing between adjacent grooves. Three replicates of each sample type were used. 
         [0082]    The metal only coupons were cute using wire electrical discharge machining (EDM), mechanically polished, then electropolished, passivated in acid and then cleaned and packaged. The parylene C coated coupons were cut from a sheet of metal, coated with parylene C and then cleaned and packaged. The Parylene C coated, grooved coupons were cut from a metal sheet, mechanically polished, grooves were formed by laser ablation and then the entire surface, including the groove pattern was coated with Parylene C as noted above, the coated coupon was then cleaned and packaged. The Parylene C coated coupon with an exterior surface having metal grooves was prepared by cutting the coupons from a metal sheet, mechanically polishing, followed by coating with Parylene C as described above, then forming a groove pattern by laser ablation through the Parylene coating and into the metal coupon, then electropolishing to a final groove depth, followed by passivating the exposed metal, neutralizing the passivation, cleaning and packaging the coupons. Finally, the coupons having Parylene filled grooves with an exposed exterior metal surface were prepared by cutting the coupons from a metal sheet, mechanically polishing the coupon, laser ablating the groove pattern into the metal coupon, then coating the coupon with Parylene, mechanically polishing or planarizing the grooved surface to expose the metal land areas between adjacent grooves, ultrasonically cleaning the coupon, electropolishing the exposed metal, passivating the exposed metal, neutralizing the passivating acid, cleaning and packaging the coupon. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Endothelial Cell 
               
               
                 Sample 
                   
                 Migration Distance 
               
               
                 No. 
                 Material Description 
                 (mm/10 days) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1a 
                 316L Stainless Steel—Electropolished 
                 1.75 ± 0.25 
               
               
                   
                 and ungrooved 
               
               
                 2a 
                 316L Stainless Steel—Parylene C 
                 0.167 ± 0.14  
               
               
                   
                 Coated and ungrooved 
               
               
                 3a 
                 316 L Stainless Steel—Grooved and 
                 1.68 ± 0.38 
               
               
                   
                 Parylene C Coated 
               
               
                 4a 
                 316L Stainless Steel—Parylene C 
                 4.93 ± 0.1  
               
               
                   
                 Coated and Grooved through Parylene to 
               
               
                   
                 expose metal 
               
               
                 5a 
                 316L Stainless Steel—Grooved and 
                 5.0 ± 0.0 
               
               
                   
                 Parylene C filling the grooves with 
               
               
                   
                 exposed metal lands between grooves 
               
               
                 1 
                 CoCr L605—Electropolished and 
                 1.125 ± 0.11  
               
               
                   
                 ungrooved 
               
               
                 2 
                 CoCr L605—Parylene C Coated and 
                 0.1 ± 0.0 
               
               
                   
                 ungrooved 
               
               
                 3 
                 CoCr L605—Parylene C Coated and 
                 5.0 ± 0.0 
               
               
                   
                 Grooved through Parylene to expose metal 
               
               
                 4 
                 CoCr L605—Grooved and Parylene C 
                 3.95 ± 0.16 
               
               
                   
                 filling the grooves with exposed metal 
               
               
                   
                 lands between grooves 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0083]    As will be understood from Table 1, both the Parylene filled metal grooves and the Parylene covered landing regions between exposed metal grooves exhibited significantly greater endothelial cell migration when compared to a bare metal surface, an ungrooved Parylene coated metal surface or a grooved Parylene coated metal surface without metal exposed. 
         [0084]    It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials, or embodiments shown and described, as obvious modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.