Methods for forming a composite stent with regioselective material

1. A method of forming a coating on a stent, comprising:

applying a solution to a stent, the stent being made from a first material, wherein the solution comprises a second material having a creep compliance of about 0.5 GPa −1 to about 10.0 GPa −1 ; and

solidifying the second material on the stent;

wherein the solidified second material forms at least two bands in contact with a surface of the stent, each of the bands covering a discrete region of the stent spaced apart from the other band(s);

wherein at least one of the bands at least partially covers or bridges a window of the stent; and

wherein there are formed at least two bands of the at least two bands each of which is an unperforated hollow cylinder encircling the stent.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solution is applied to a region of the stent that is substantially adjacent to an end of the stent but not in the middle of the stent.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein a modulus of elasticity of the second material is lower than a modulus of elasticity of the first material.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the solution comprises dripping the solution onto the stent.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the solution comprises a therapeutic agent.

6. A method of forming a coating on a stent, comprising:

applying a solution comprising a first material onto a stent, the stent being made from a second material, wherein a modulus of elasticity of the first material is lower than a modulus of elasticity of the second material; and

solidifying the first material on the stent;

wherein the solidified first material forms at least two bands in contact with a surface of the stent, each of the bands covering a discrete region of the stent separated from the other band(s);

wherein at least one of the bands at least partially covers or bridges a window of the stent; and

wherein there are formed at least two bands of the at least two bands each of which is an unperforated hollow cylinder encircling the stent.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein applying the solution comprises dripping the solution onto the stent.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the solution is applied to a region of the stent that is substantially adjacent to an end of the stent but not the middle of the stent.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least two bands which are unperforated hollow cylinders encircling the stent has a width of about 0.5 mm to about 3.0 mm.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least two bands which are unperforated hollow cylinders encircling the stent has a thickness of about 1.0 microns to about 5.0 microns.

11. The method of claim 4 , wherein dripping the solution comprises disposing the solution, the solution being a viscous solution having a liquid fiber consistency, on the surface of the stent.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the viscosity of the solution is about 5 cP to about 1000 cP at room temperature.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the viscosity of the solution is about 50 cP to about 500 cP at room temperature.

14. The method of claim 6 , wherein the first material has a creep compliance of about 0.5 GPa −1 to about 10 GPa −1 .

15. The method of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the at least two bands which are unperforated hollow cylinders encircling the stent has a width of about 0.5 mm to about 3.0 mm.

16. The method of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the at least two bands which are unperforated hollow cylinders encircling the stent has a thickness of about 1.0 microns to about 5.0 microns.

17. The method of claim 7 , wherein dripping the solution comprises disposing the solution, the solution being a viscous solution having a liquid fiber consistency, on the surface of the stent.

18. The method of claim 6 , wherein the viscosity of the solution is about 5 cP to about 1000 cP at room temperature.

19. The method of claim 6 , wherein the viscosity of the solution is about 50 cP to about 500 cP at room temperature.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least two bands in contact with the surface of the stent are spaced apart by an uncoated stent segment.

21. The method of claim 6 , wherein the at least two bands in contact with the surface of the stent are separated by an uncoated surface of the stent.

22. A method of forming a coating on a stent comprising:

dripping a viscous solution comprising a first material onto a stent, the stent being made from a second material, wherein a modulus of elasticity of the first material is lower than a modulus of elasticity of the second material; and

solidifying the first material on the stent to form at least two bands in contact with a surface of the stent, each of the bands covering a discrete region of the stent separated from the other band(s);

wherein dripping the solution comprises disposing the viscous solution, the solution having a liquid fiber consistency, on the surface of the stent to form at least two concentric annular bands having a substantially tubular diameter of approximately 0.5 to approximately 5.0 microns.