Method of varying amounts of heparin coated on a medical device to control treatment thereon

The present invention addresses two previously unresolved problems simultaneously. First, the question concerning the amount of heparin applied to a stent is resolved. That is, the invention set forth herein will demonstrate that by varying the amount of heparin, the practitioner can actually more adequately determine whether in fact the patient will receive the correct dosage to address the problem, and at the right time in which to address the problem. Second, the problem of applying the heparin coating to a stent is addressed. There, specifically, the invention turns to the fashion in which to apply multiple layers of heparin coating to the stent, and to thereby variably adjust the dosage applied to the patient at the lesion site. The present invention does so by providing a method and device for coating a stent with multiple layers of heparin coating. By so doing, the heparin coating is absorbed by the body in a degree which varies with the amount of heparin applied. Thus, contrary to formerly popular belief, the present method allows for the significant adjustment of heparin therapy. And, the stent so coated allows for the variable application of such heparin therapy at the lesion site.