Method for roll coating multiple stents

a technology of multiple stents and coatings, applied in the field of holding stents, can solve the problems of inability to administer therapeutics to the target site in a uniform and homogenous manner, inability to meet the needs of patients, so as to facilitate stent handling, improve coating material utilization, and prolong the exposure to coating spray.
US20050158450A1Inactive Publication Date: 2005-07-21BOSTON SCI SCIMED INC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
BOSTON SCI SCIMED INC
Publication Date
2005-07-21
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

An improved method and apparatus for high-volume production of coated stents with highly uniform stent coatings using a roll coating technique is provided. In a first embodiment, uncoated stents are placed onto rotating stent holders with automated stent handling equipment. The holders are mounted on an endless conveyer belt which advances the stents toward a stent coater. As the stents advance through the coater, the holders rotate, thereby rolling the stents about their longitudinal axes as coating material is sprayed toward them, ensuring the stents are uniformly coated on their exterior and interior surfaces. After the conveyer turns to carry the coated stents back toward the loading area, the rotating stents pass again through the coating spray, downstream of the initial coating location, thereby increasing the efficient utilization of the coating material. The conveyer then advances the coated stents to an unloading area for removal before the holders return to the stent loading area to receive new stents.
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Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention generally regards the holding of stents during manufacture to enable the application of therapeutic and / or protective coatings. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a method for high-throughput, efficient and uniform coating of stents, wherein the stents placed on rotating fixtures on a conveyer, and the conveyer passes the rotating stents through a coating spray or immersion bath to apply a coating to the stents. BACKGROUND

[0002] Medical implants are used for innumerable medical purposes, including the reinforcement of recently re-enlarged lumens, the replacement of ruptured vessels, and the treatment of disease such as vascular disease by local pharmacotherapy, i.e., delivering therapeutic drug doses to target tissues while minimizing systemic side effects. Such localized delivery of therapeutic agents has been proposed or achieved using medical implants which both support a lumen within a patient's body and plac...

Claims

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