A device for treating a target area of a vessel wall of a vessel within a
human or animal body, the device comprising: an expandable portion for
radially expanding the device from a contracted configuration allowing
travel within the vessel to the target area to an expanded configuration
allowing treatment of the target area; a protective sheath stretch-fitted
over the expandable portion to exert a compressive force on the
expandable portion for radially contracting the device from its expanded
configuration to its contracted configuration, and for exerting a
compressive force on the expandable portion in its contracted
configuration; and at least two spaced apart treatment implements
extending radially outwardly from the expandable portion, wherein in the
device's contracted configuration the implements are shielded within the
protective sheath, and in its expanded configuration the thickness of the
sheath decreases to expose the implements for contact with the target
area of the vessel wall. A protective sheath for fitting to a device for
treating a target area of a vessel wall of a vessel within a human or
animal body, a balloon catheter sheath loading device and method for
loading a tubular sheath onto a balloon catheter, and a method of
treating one or more target areas of a vessel wall within a human or
animal body are also disclosed.