Drug-delivery element for an elongate implantable medical device component

[0025]The present invention is directed to an elongate drug-delivery element for an implantable medical device having one or more components. Embodiments of the present invention include an elongate drug-delivery element releasably carrying (e.g., covered with, impregnated with, etc.) one or more drugs. Aspects of the present invention are directed to an elongate drug-delivery element for an implantable elongate carrier member, lead, catheter or the like (collectively and generally referred to as an “elongate component” or “carrier member”) of an implantable medical device. As used herein, an “elongate” element or component is an element or component having a length that is substantially greater than its width and its height.

[0026]Embodiments of the elongate drug-delivery element are physically separate from the implantable medical device having one or more implantable components. As such, the drug-delivery element may be manufactured separately from the device components, which is ref