A metallic composite coating, and methods for forming same, for an implantable medical device is disclosed. The first and second groups of pieces are operatively arranged to stack and interlock with one another to form a cylindrically shaped structure. The invention provides assay methods for the prevention of growth of tumors, for assays for compounds useful in the prevention of tumors and compounds obtainable by such assays. The operating mode selector unit is designed such that it identifies the defined input signal as one from a group of different defined input signals. A trunk cover has a guide rail on each side of the shade element. The parallel IO terminals generally include one or more data IO terminals configured to transmit data and commands, a clock terminal configured to receive a clock signal, and a write protect terminal configured to receive a write protection signal.