Methods for the application of a polymer-free coating onto a medical
device using plasma electrolytic deposition, comprising: (i) optionally
applying a metal precoating onto a medical device; (ii) placing the
medical device in an electrolyte solution comprising an electrolyte; and
(iii) establishing an electric potential under plasma electrolytic
deposition conditions between an electrode and the medical device, such
that the plasma electrolytic deposition conditions are adequate to
sustain deposition from the electrolyte solution onto the surface of the
medical device to form the coating. The invention also relates to coating
compositions and coated medical devices, such as stents, made according
to these methods. If desired, the polymer-free coating can be a
drug-eluting coating.