Patent ID: 7699890

Claim:
A stent comprising a strut element, wherein the strut element includes a solid metallic inner core having an inner side and an opposed, outer side, an outer layer disposed on the outer side, the outer layer being a first porous layer of metallic material formed by particles, filaments or fibers sintered to the inner core, and an inner layer disposed on the inner side, the inner layer being a second porous layer of metallic material formed by particles, filaments or fibers sintered to the inner core, wherein the strut is formed from a metallic sheet such that the solid core causes a therapeutic agent impregnated in the second porous layer to flow only in a radially inward direction after the stent has been implanted in a vessel, and wherein the stent is configured for being radially expanded by a balloon and for providing support to a body vessel after the stent has been radially expanded by the balloon.