Medical devices, and in particular implantable medical devices, may be
coated to minimize or substantially eliminate a biological organism's
reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. The
medical devices may be coated with any number of biocompatible materials.
Therapeutic drugs, agents or compounds may be mixed with the
biocompatible materials and affixed to at least a portion of the medical
device. In addition to reducing or substantially eliminating a biological
organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the
organism, the medical device in combination with one or more therapeutic
drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to treat various vascular
diseases, for example, restenosis and vulnerable plaque. In the case of
vulnerable plaque, one or more drugs, agents or compounds may be utilized
to treat the various aspects of vulnerable plaque and these drugs, agents
and/or compounds may be released with a given release profile for the
most effective treatment. Various materials and coating methodologies may
be utilized to maintain the drugs, agents or compounds on the medical
device until delivered and positioned.