Medical devices

1. A stent device comprising:

a generally tubular member, the member including a porous structure comprising an oxide of titanium, niobium, tantalum, or an alloy thereof, the porous structure defined by a plurality of hollow post-shaped elements, the hollow post-shaped elements separated by a void region therebetween and each hollow post-shaped element defining an internal volume adapted to contain a therapeutic agent, wherein the generally tubular member has a longitudinal axis and the generally hollow post-shaped elements have a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the generally tubular member.

2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the porous structure is of an oxide of titanium.

3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the generally tubular member comprises a therapeutic agent contained in the internal volumes, the void region, or a combination thereof.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from an antithrombogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, or antibiotic.

5. The device of claim 3 , wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from a drug, cell, or genetic material.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the generally tubular member includes a layer of titanium, niobium, tantalum, or an alloy thereof, that has a thickness between about 50 nm and about 500 nm.

7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the porous structure is over said layer.

8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the post-shaped elements have inner diameters of about 5 nm to about 200 nm.

9. The device of claim 8 , wherein the post-shaped elements have inner diameters of about 70 nm to about 100 nm.

10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the post-shaped elements have a post height of about 100 nm to about 200 nm.

11. The device of claim 1 , wherein the porous structure is on an outer surface of the generally tubular member.

12. The device of claim 1 , wherein the generally tubular member comprises titanium, niobium, tantalum, or an alloy thereof.

13. The device of claim 1 , wherein said titanium, niobium, tantalum, or alloy thereof is a layer on a different metal.

14. The device of claim 13 , wherein the different metal is about 90% or more of the thickness of the tubular member.

15. The device of claim 1 , wherein the generally tubular member comprises stainless steel, nitinol, or a cobalt-based alloy.

16. The device of claim 1 , wherein the porous structure includes a polymer.

17. The device of claim 16 , wherein the polymer is a coating over the porous structure.

18. The device of claim 17 , wherein the coating is a diffusion or protective layer.

19. The device of claim 17 , wherein the coating is biodegradable.

20. The device of claim 16 , wherein the polymer includes a therapeutic agent.

21. The device of claim 1 , wherein the porous structure includes a colorant.

22. The device of claim 1 , wherein the device has a color corresponding to light having a wavelength between about 370 nm and about 750 nm.

23. The device of claim 22 , wherein the color corresponds to light having a wavelength of about 420 nm, about 470 nm, about 530 nm, about 580 nm, about 620 nm, or about 700 nm.

24. The device of claim 1 , wherein the hollow post-shaped elements are generally tubular.

25. The device of claim 1 , wherein the porous structure has a post-shaped element density of 10 to 300 post-shaped elements per square micron.

26. The device of claim 1 , wherein the porous structure acts as a grating that preferentially reflects light having a wavelength between 370 nm and 750 nm.

27. The device of claim 1 , wherein the hollow post-shaped elements comprise a closed end.

28. A stent device comprising:

a generally tubular member, the member including a porous structure defined by an plurality of hollow post-shaped elements, the hollow post-shaped elements separated by a void region and each hollow post-shaped element defining an internal volume adapted to contain a therapeutic agent, wherein the generally tubular member has a longitudinal axis and the generally hollow post-shaped elements have a longitudinal axis generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the generally tubular member.

29. The device of claim 28 , wherein the generally tubular member includes a therapeutic agent contained in the internal volumes, the void region, or a combination thereof.

30. The device of claim 29 , wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from an antithrombogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiproliferative, or antibiotic.

31. The device of claim 29 , wherein the therapeutic agent is selected from a drug, cell, or genetic material.

32. The device of claim 28 , wherein the post-shaped elements comprise a porous metal oxide.

33. The device of claim 32 , wherein the porous metal oxide has a thickness between about 50 nm and about 500 nm.

34. The device of claim 32 , wherein the porous metal oxide is on a surface of the generally tubular member.

35. The device of claim 28 , wherein the post-shaped elements have inner diameters between about 5 nm and about 200 nm.

36. The device of claim 28 , wherein the hollow post-shaped elements are generally tubular.

37. The device of claim 28 , wherein the porous structure has a post-shaped element density of 10 to 300 post-shaped elements per square micron.

38. The device of claim 28 , wherein the porous structure acts as a grating that preferentially reflects light having a wavelength between 370 nm and 750 nm.

39. The device of claim 28 , wherein the hollow post-shaped elements comprise a closed end.