Patent ID: 8128690

Claim:
A bioactive agent-eluting endoluminal stent, comprising: a. a plurality of metal tubular structural support members each having a lumen and a tubular wall circumferentially surrounding the lumen, the plurality of metal tubular structural support members being formed into the bioactive agent-eluting endoluminal stent, a plurality of welds joining two adjacent tubular structural support members of the plurality of metal tubular structural support members, and a plurality of non-welded regions separating the plurality of welds; b. a plurality of openings passing through the tubular wall and in fluid flow communication with the lumen of at least some of the metal tubular structural support members; and c. a bioactive agent disposed within the lumen of at least some of the plurality of metal tubular structural support members and capable of being eluted therefrom through one or more of the plurality of openings.