a method of coating an article is provided . the method includes : preparing a solution including a bioactive agent and a carbon nanotube precursor ; treating the solution to form carbon nanotubes ; and applying the solution to the article . a method of producing a medical device is provided . the method includes : forming a core of the medical device with a pattern on a surface of the core and assembling a multi - walled carbon nanotube array on the pattern on the surface . the pattern on the surface may determine an orientation of the multi - walled carbon nanotube array . a method of manufacturing a medical appliance is provided . the method includes creating a mixture of a carbon nanotube precursor and a polymer and injecting the mixture into a mold . the mold forms the mixture into a shape of the medical appliance . a method of forming a nanotube tissue scaffold is provided . the method includes forming a nanotube precursor and treating the nanotube precursor to form the nanotube tissue scaffold . the nanotube tissue scaffold is electrically conductive .