a medical device provided with at least a partial surface coating of a thermoplastic copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkylvinylether that is free of cross - linking monomers and curing agents . the fluoropolymer coating is preferably an amorphous thermoplastic , is highly inert and biocompatible , has elastomeric characteristics that provide desirable mechanical properties such as good flexibility and durability . these characteristics allow the coating to be considered “ functionally transparent ” because it withstands mechanical deformations required for the assembly , deployment , expansion , and placement of medical devices , without any adverse effect on the mechanical and biological functionality of the coated device . further , its inertness , derived from the perfluorocarbon structure , contributes to its functionally transparent nature . the coating can be provided with various liquid or solid additives , can be loaded with large quantities of additives including a wide range of therapeutic agents , and has excellent drug elution characteristics when elutable additives are used . the desirable mechanical characteristics are surprising given the absence of cross - linking monomers and curing agents that would otherwise render such materials inadequately biocompatible . the perfluoroalkylvinylether may be perfluoromethylvinylether , perfluoroethylvinylether or perfluoropropylvinylether .