Patent ID: 8070797

Claim:
An implantable stent comprising: a stent sidewall structure comprising (a) a stent strut body having a surface defined by the stent strut body or by a surface coating on the stent strut body, the surface comprising a metal, a metal oxide, a ceramic oxide, or inert carbon; (b) the surface defining a plurality of cavities therein, at least some of the cavities being in fluid communication with the surface and at least one cavity being defined by a cavity surface having a plurality of pores therein; (c) a second coating composition comprising a first therapeutic agent, wherein the second coating composition is disposed within a portion of at least one of the cavities; and (d) a cap disposed in the at least one of the cavities and covering the second coating composition, wherein the cap is within the at least one of the cavities and wherein at least some of the pores in the cavity surface being not covered by the cap and being in fluid communication with the surface, thereby causing the first therapeutic agent to release through the pores to the surface and to not substantially release from the cavity directly to the surface.