The present invention relates to a balloon expandable stent mounted on a
balloon catheter, the entire assembly being overcoated with a coherent
polymer coating, which is preferably substantially continuous over the
circumference and, more preferably, axial length of the stent on the
balloon. The polymer coating improves retention of the stent on the
balloon during delivery and does not adversely effect the deployment
characteristics, nor the balloon failure characteristics. The product is
made by mounting the stent on the balloon and coating the assembly with a
liquid coating composition containing a suitable polymer followed by
curing of the coating. The polymer is biocompatible and preferably
crosslinkable in the coating composition, and crosslinked in the final
product. A suitable polymer is formed from monomers including a
zwitterionic, preferably a phosphoryl choline, group, and monomers
including a trialkoxysilyl group. Preferably the coated product is
contacted with ethylene oxide to provide simultaneous sterilization and
additional curing.