MEDICAL DEVICE COATINGS FOR RELEASING A THERAPEUTIC AGENT AT MULTIPLE RATES

Medical device coatings are provided that simultaneously release a therapeutic agent at different rates from different portions of the medical device coating. In a first embodiment, medical device coatings are provided that include particles comprising a therapeutic agent with two or more different particles sizes within a single layer on a surface of the implantable device. In a second embodiment, medical device coatings are provided having a higher concentration of the therapeutic agent in a first region of the coating than in a second region of the coating. In a third embodiment, medical device coatings are provided that are formed by certain coating processes wherein the droplet size of a spray coating solution is changed during the coating process. These coating processes preferably include applying a solution comprising a therapeutic agent and a suitable solvent to a surface of an implantable medical device. In a fourth embodiment, methods of treatment are provided that include implanting a coated medical device.