The invention relates to a directional drug delivery stent which includes
an elongated or tubular member having a cavity containing a biologically
active agent. In one embodiment, the active agent is diffused from the
reservoir directly to the walls of a body lumen, such as a blood vessel,
through directional delivery openings arranged on an outer surface of the
elongated member. Another variation of the stent includes an osmotic
engine assembly for controlling the delivery of the active agent from the
reservoir. The drugs which may be applied by the directional delivery
stent include, but are not limited to, steroids, anti-inflammatory agents,
restenosis preventing drugs, anti-thrombotic drugs, and tissue growth
regulating drugs. The invention also relates to a method of using the
directional drug delivery stent.