Abstract: A polymeric heat shrinkable tubular sheath for mounting about a balloon on a dilatation catheter by heat treating at a temperature which does not detrimentally effect the properties of the balloon to shrink the sheath onto the balloon. The tubular sheath is preferably heated to a temperature above body temperature, e.g. 40<100.degree. C., preferably less than 85.degree. C., to heat shrink the sheath onto the balloon. A presently preferred polymeric material is a copolymer of ethylene(75%) and methyl acrylate (25%). The heat shrinkable sheath has an inner lumen with minimum dimensions large enough to facilitate the advancement of the sheath over the exterior of a dilatation balloon without the need for a great deal of manual manipulation by the physician or other operator prior to heat shrinking.

Abstract: A polymeric heat shrinkable tubular sheath for mounting about a balloon on a dilatation catheter by heat treating at a temperature which does not detrimentally effect the properties of the balloon to shrink the sheath onto the balloon. The tubular sheath is preferably heated to a temperature above body temperature, e.g. 40<100.degree. C., preferably less than 85.degree. C., to heat shrink the sheath onto the balloon. A presently preferred polymeric material is a copolymer of ethylene(75%) and methyl acrylate (25%). The heat shrinkable sheath has an inner lumen with minimum dimensions large enough to facilitate the advancement of the sheath over the exterior of a dilatation balloon without the need for a great deal of manual manipulation by the physician or other operator prior to heat shrinking.

Abstract: A polymeric heat shrinkable tubular sheath for mounting about a balloon on a dilatation catheter by heat treating at a temperature which does not detrimentally effect the properties of the balloon to shrink the sheath onto the balloon. The tubular sheath is preferably heated to a temperature above body temperature, e.g. 40.degree.<100.degree. C., preferably less than 85.degree. C., to heat shrink the sheath onto the balloon. A presently preferred polymeric material is a copolymer of ethylene(75%) and methyl acrylate (25%). The heat shrinkable sheath has an inner lumen with minimum dimensions large enough to facilitate the advancement of the sheath over the exterior of a dilatation balloon without the need for a great deal of manual manipulation by the physician or other operator prior to heat shrinking.

Abstract: An apparatus and method in which a coating is wetted with a solvent to initiate dissolution of soluble coating portions and the hydraulic pressure of the solvent at the surface of the coating is repeatedly increased and decreased to assist in the dissolution of the soluble coating portions. A brush with an array of bristles reciprocating in a path perpendicular to the coating may be utilized to produce the increasing and decreasing hydraulic pressure. Also, the coating may be immersed in the solvent to wet it and to initiate dissolution of the soluble coating portions.