Importance

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Abstract

Medical devices comprising a balloon and a therapeutic agent disposed over the balloon. In one embodiment, an expandable sheath covers the balloon, and the expandable sheath is coated with the therapeutic agent. As the balloon is inflated, the sheath expands and causes the coating of therapeutic agent to break apart. In another embodiment, the balloon has a balloon wall comprising an outermost layer and one or more inner layers. The outermost layer is less compliant than the inner layer(s) such that cracks will form in the outermost layer as the balloon is inflated. The coating of therapeutic agent breaks apart when the relatively less compliant outermost layer cracks with the inflation of the balloon. Also disclosed are methods for making a medical device having a balloon.

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First Claim