Coating Equipment

Abstract

To provide a coating device excellent in coating efficiency of a medical long member.SOLUTION: A coating device includes a support part that can support a medical long member by a bottom and that has a plurality of recesses arranged in a horizontally juxtaposed manner, and a liquid tank part in which a coating liquid is stored. A liquid level of the coating liquid in the liquid tank part reaches the bottom of each of the plurality of recesses.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for coating elongated medical members. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Medical devices such as catheters are coated on their surfaces for the purposes of facilitating insertion into body lumens, protecting the surface of the medical device, and reinforcing it.

[0003] As an example of an apparatus used for coating, Patent Document 1 discloses a coating apparatus that includes a coating application unit that includes a fluid applicator, a first rotation mechanism, a second rotation mechanism, and a control device, and the control device causes the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism to rotate the medical device at substantially the same speed, which is greater than 500 rotations per minute.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a balloon coating device that forms a coating layer on the outer surface of a balloon of a balloon catheter, the balloon coating device having a rotation mechanism that rotates the balloon around its axis, an applicator that moves relative to the balloon in the axial direction of the balloon and applies a coating liquid containing a drug to the outer surface of the balloon, and a balloon support that comes into contact with the outer surface of the balloon on the side in the direction of movement of the applicator and supports the balloon. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2016-504058 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-119801 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In recent years, there has been a demand for improved coating efficiency in order to increase the productivity of long medical components such as balloon catheters. The present invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a coating device that is excellent in coating efficiency for long medical components. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The coating apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention that can solve the above problems is as follows. [1] A support part having a plurality of recesses arranged in a horizontal direction and capable of supporting a medical elongated member at its bottom; a liquid tank portion in which a coating liquid is stored, A coating device in which the liquid level of the coating liquid in the liquid tank portion reaches the bottom of each of the plurality of recesses.

[0008] By having the above-described multiple recesses, the coating device can support multiple medical elongated members, and further, since the coating liquid in the liquid tank reaches the bottom of each of the multiple recesses, multiple medical elongated members can be coated all at once. In other words, the above-described coating device can efficiently coat multiple medical elongated members. Furthermore, the coating device according to the embodiment is preferably any one of the following [2] to

[11] . [2] The coating apparatus according to [1], wherein the liquid tank section is located below the support section. [3] The coating device according to [1] or [2], wherein the liquid tank portion has a groove extending in the direction in which the plurality of recesses are arranged. [4] The coating apparatus according to [3], wherein the plurality of recesses are arranged at intervals in the extension direction of the groove. [5] The coating device according to [3] or [4], wherein each of the plurality of recesses is capable of supporting the elongated member so that the axial direction of the elongated member is perpendicular to the extension direction of the groove. [6] The coating device according to any one of [3] to [5], wherein the length of the groove in the width direction is shorter than the maximum length of the recess in the extension direction of the groove. [7] A support member having a bottom plate having a length direction and a width direction, a first side plate formed on one end of the bottom plate in the width direction, and a second side plate formed on the other end of the bottom plate in the width direction and facing the first side plate, the first side plate has a plurality of first recesses in an upper portion thereof, and the second side plate has a plurality of second recesses in an upper portion thereof opposite the plurality of first recesses; The coating device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein each of the plurality of recesses has the first recess and the second recess. [8] The coating device according to [7], wherein the liquid tank portion is located between the first side plate and the second side plate and below the plurality of recesses. [9] The coating apparatus according to [7] or [8], further comprising: the support member having at least one top plate at the top of the first side plate and the second side plate, other than the plurality of recesses.

[10] A coating device according to any one of [3] to [9], which has a liquid level adjusting part for adjusting the liquid level of the coating liquid at at least one of both end parts of the liquid tank part in the extension direction of the groove.

[11] The coating apparatus according to

[10] , wherein the liquid level adjusting unit has a coating liquid injector and / or a weight. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, with the above-mentioned configuration, it is possible to provide a coating device that is excellent in coating efficiency for long medical members. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side view of a support member of a coating apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a support member of a coating apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a medical elongated member placed on a support member of a coating device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a modified example of the cross section of FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a support member of a coating apparatus according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a coating device according to an embodiment and a medical elongated member. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention will be described in more detail below based on the following embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications within the scope of the above and below-described purposes, and all such modifications are included within the technical scope of the present invention. For convenience, component reference numerals may be omitted in the drawings. In such cases, reference should be made to the specification or other drawings. The dimensions of various components in the drawings may differ from their actual dimensions, as priority is given to helping understand the features of the present invention.

[0012] A coating device according to an embodiment of the present invention has a support section having a plurality of recesses arranged horizontally and capable of supporting a medical elongated member at its bottom, and a liquid tank section in which a coating liquid is stored, the liquid level of the coating liquid in the liquid tank section reaching the bottom of each of the plurality of recesses.

[0013] The coating device has multiple recesses as described above, which allows it to support multiple elongated medical materials, and the coating liquid in the liquid tank reaches the bottom of each of the multiple recesses, allowing multiple elongated medical materials to be coated at once. In other words, the coating device allows multiple elongated medical materials to be coated efficiently.

[0014] Hereinafter, a coating apparatus according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 7. Figure 1 is a side view of a support member of a coating apparatus according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a plan view of a support member of a coating apparatus according to an embodiment. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a plan view of a medical elongated member placed on a support member of a coating apparatus according to an embodiment. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Figure 5. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in Figure 5. Note that the coating liquid supply syringe is not shown in Figures 2, 3, and 5.

[0015] 1 to 6, the coating device 1 according to the embodiment has a support section 2 having a plurality of recesses 5 arranged in a horizontal direction m and capable of supporting a medical elongated member 40 at its bottom section 5c, and a liquid tank section 4 in which a coating liquid 50 is stored, and the liquid surface 50a of the coating liquid 50 in the liquid tank section 4 reaches the bottom section 5c of each of the plurality of recesses 5. Each component will be described in detail below.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the support part 2 has a plurality of recesses 5 capable of supporting the medical elongated member 40 at their bottoms 5c. That is, the bottoms 5c of the plurality of recesses 5 can support the medical elongated member 40 from below in the vertical direction n. Furthermore, even if the medical elongated member 40 moves during application of the coating liquid 50, the recesses 5 can restrict the movement. As a result, the coating film thickness is less likely to vary and is more likely to be uniform. Note that, when coating is performed while the medical elongated member 40 is being rotated, as described below, the medical elongated member 40 may temporarily separate from the recesses 5 due to centrifugal force.

[0017] The recesses 5 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction m. This makes it easier to support the elongated medical members 40 at approximately the same height. The recesses 5 are preferably arranged side by side in a straight line.

[0018] Each of the recesses 5 preferably has a surface 5s that contacts the elongated medical member 40 and supports it. The surface 5s of the recess 5 may be flat, curved, or a combination thereof. The flat surface may be parallel to the horizontal direction m, inclined relative to the horizontal direction m, or perpendicular to the horizontal direction m. The curved surface may be curved or bent. The surface 5s of the recess 5 may have a shape that conforms to the outer surface shape of the elongated medical member 40. The recesses 5 may support the elongated medical member 40 at points, lines, or surfaces. The number of recesses 5 is preferably two or more, more preferably three or more, and even more preferably four or more, and is preferably 20 or less, more preferably 15 or less, and even more preferably 12 or less. As will be described later, when the support member 6 has a first recess 5a and a second recess 5b facing each other, the pair of recesses may be counted as one recess.

[0019] 1 to 6, the liquid reservoir 4 stores a coating liquid 50, and the liquid surface 50a of the coating liquid 50 reaches the bottom 5c of each of the recesses 5. By immersing the bottoms 5c of each of the recesses 5 in the coating liquid 50 in the liquid reservoir 4 in this manner, it is possible to coat a plurality of medical elongated members 40 all at once. Furthermore, this makes it easier to uniformize the amount of coating liquid 50 at each bottom 5c, thereby reducing variations in the amount of coating among the plurality of medical elongated members 40.

[0020] To make the liquid level 50a of the coating liquid 50 reach the bottom 5c, for example, the liquid tank section 4 may be filled with the coating liquid 50 and the liquid level 50a may reach the bottom 5c due to the surface tension of the coating liquid 50. Alternatively, the liquid level 50a of the coating liquid 50 may be raised by increasing the amount of the coating liquid 50, for example, to make the liquid level 50a reach the bottom 5c. In this case, the coating liquid 50 may spill out of the multiple recesses 5.

[0021] The liquid tank section 4 is preferably located below the support section 2. This makes it easier to immerse the bottoms 5c of the plurality of recesses 5 in the coating liquid 50 in the liquid tank section 4. Specifically, the liquid tank section 4 is preferably located below the lowest portions 5m of the plurality of recesses 5. Furthermore, the coating apparatus 1 preferably has a support member 6, and the support member 6 preferably has the support section 2 and the liquid tank section 4.

[0022] The liquid tank section 4 preferably has a groove 4g extending in the direction in which the plurality of recesses 5 are arranged. The groove shape of the liquid tank section 4 allows the width to be narrowed, and the area of ​​the liquid surface 50a of the coating liquid 50 can be reduced, thereby reducing the amount of evaporation of the coating liquid 50 from the liquid tank section 4. Furthermore, since the groove 4g extends in the direction in which the plurality of recesses 5 are arranged, the coating liquid 50 can be efficiently supplied to each bottom 5c.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 7, the groove 4g may have a constant length in the width direction 4w from bottom to top. In this case, the length of the groove 4g in the depth direction 4z is preferably greater than the length in the width direction 4w. This makes it easier to supply the coating liquid 50 to the bottom 5c of the recess 5 located away from the coating liquid supply unit 21, as shown in FIG. 1. The length of the groove 4g in the depth direction 4z is preferably 1.1 times or more, more preferably 1.5 times or more, the length in the width direction 4w. However, this magnification may be 10 times or less, or may be 5 times or less.

[0024] FIG. 8 is a modified example of the cross section of FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 8, the groove 4g may have a length in the width direction 4w that increases and / or decreases from the bottom to the top. In this case, it is preferable that the length L1 of the groove 4g in the width direction 4w at the upper end is smaller than the maximum length L2 of the groove 4g in the width direction 4w. This reduces the open area of ​​the coating liquid 50, thereby reducing the amount of evaporation of the coating liquid 50 from the liquid tank section 4. The length L1 is preferably 0.9 times or less, and more preferably 0.5 times or less, the maximum length L2. However, this ratio may be 0.1 times or more.

[0025] 8, the groove 4g may have a widened portion 4l in which the length in the width direction 4w increases from the bottom to the top, which facilitates the flow of the coating liquid 50. In the widened portion 4l, the length in the width direction 4w may increase continuously or stepwise from the bottom to the top.

[0026] As shown in Fig. 8, the groove 4g may have a reduced width portion 4m in which the length in the width direction 4w decreases from the bottom to the top. This can reduce the amount of evaporation of the coating liquid 50 from the liquid tank section 4. In the reduced width portion 4m, the length in the width direction 4w may decrease continuously or stepwise from the bottom to the top. The reduced width portion 4m is preferably located above the wide width portion 4l.

[0027] 6 and other figures, the recesses 5 are preferably spaced apart from one another in the extending direction 4e of the grooves 4g, which makes it easier to avoid contact between the elongated medical members 40 during coating.

[0028] 5, it is preferable that each of the recesses 5 is capable of supporting the elongated medical member 40 such that the axial direction u of the elongated medical member 40 is perpendicular to the extending direction 4e of the grooves 4g. This makes it easier to coat the elongated medical member 40 while moving the support member 6 in the axial direction u of the elongated medical member 40.

[0029] 2 and 3, the length of the groove 4g in the width direction 4w is preferably shorter than the maximum length 5l of the recess 5 in the extension direction 4e of the groove 4g. This reduces the increase in the concentration of the additive that accompanies evaporation of the coating liquid 50. The length of the groove 4g in the width direction 4w is preferably 0.9 times or less, and more preferably 0.7 times or less, the maximum length 5l. However, this ratio may be 0.1 times or more.

[0030] 1, it is preferable to provide a liquid level adjusting part 4c for adjusting the liquid level of the coating liquid 50 at at least one of both end parts 4a, 4b in the extending direction 4e of the groove 4g of the liquid tank part 4. By providing the liquid level adjusting part 4c at the one end part 4a and / or the other end part 4b in the extending direction 4e of the groove 4g in this way, the workability in adjusting the liquid level of the coating liquid 50 is improved.

[0031] The liquid level adjusting unit 4c preferably has a coating liquid injector and / or a weight. The liquid level can be raised by injecting the coating liquid 50 into the liquid tank unit 4 using the coating liquid injector. Examples of the coating liquid injector include a syringe and a supply pipe connected to a pump. When injecting the coating liquid 50, it is preferable to inject it at a flow rate of 0.05 mL / min or more and 1 mL / min or less. On the other hand, when the liquid level adjusting unit 4c has a weight, the liquid level of the liquid surface 50a of the coating liquid 50 can be raised by sinking the weight when the liquid surface 50a of the coating liquid 50 is tending to decrease. The weight is preferably one that sinks in the coating liquid 50 and preferably contains resin and / or metal, more preferably contains metal, and even more preferably is made of metal.

[0032] The coating liquid 50 preferably contains an additive and a solvent. Examples of additives include silicone resin, urethane resin, (meth)acrylic resin, fluororesin, polyolefin resin, epoxy resin, polyester resin, cellulose compound, glycol compound, or a mixture thereof. Examples of cellulose compounds include cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose butyrate, cellophane, cellulose nitrate, propionyl cellulose, cellulose ether, carboxymethyl cellulose, or a mixture thereof. Examples of glycol compounds include polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, or a mixture thereof. The coating liquid 50 may also contain additives such as monomers, reactive compounds such as photoreactive compounds, crosslinking agents, etc. These additives can be selected based on factors such as improving the operability of the medical elongated member 40, such as its slidability, protecting and reinforcing the medical elongated member 40, and ease of handling during coating.

[0033] The solvent preferably contains an organic solvent. Examples of the organic solvent include methanol, ethanol, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetone, and mixtures thereof. Among these, methanol, ethanol, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, acetone, and mixtures thereof are more preferred, with tetrahydrofuran being even more preferred. The boiling point of the organic solvent is preferably 50°C or higher, more preferably 55°C or higher, and even more preferably 60°C or higher. This reduces the evaporation of the organic solvent during coating. Meanwhile, the boiling point of the organic solvent is preferably 170°C or lower, more preferably 120°C or lower, and even more preferably 80°C or lower. This reduces the drying time after coating.

[0034] The coating liquid 50 may further contain a drug, such as an immunosuppressant, an immunostimulant, an anticancer agent, an antiviral agent, an antibacterial agent, an antineoplastic agent, an analgesic, an anti-inflammatory agent, an antibiotic, an antiepileptic agent, an anxiolytic agent, an antianesthetic agent, an antagonist, a neuron blocking agent, an anticholinergic agent, an antiarrhythmic agent, an antihypertensive agent, a hormone, a nutritional agent, or a mixture thereof.

[0035] 1 to 3, the coating apparatus 1 preferably includes a support member 6 having a bottom plate 6a having a length direction and a width direction, a first side plate 6b formed on one end of the bottom plate 6a in the width direction, and a second side plate 6c formed on the other end of the bottom plate 6a in the width direction and facing the first side plate 6b. Furthermore, it is preferable that the first side plate 6b has a plurality of first recesses 5a on an upper portion thereof, and the second side plate 6c has a plurality of second recesses 5b on an upper portion thereof facing the plurality of first recesses 5a, and each of the plurality of recesses 5 has a first recess 5a and a second recess 5b.

[0036] It is preferable that the support member 6 further has a third side plate 6d formed on one longitudinal end of the bottom plate 6a, and a fourth side plate 6e formed on the other longitudinal end of the bottom plate 6a and facing the third side plate 6d.

[0037] Each of these plates may be flat, curved or bent, and may be integrally formed.

[0038] The liquid tank section 4 is preferably located between the first side plate 6b and the second side plate 6c and below the plurality of recesses 5. This makes it easier to immerse the bottoms 5c of the plurality of recesses 5 in the coating liquid 50 in the liquid tank section 4 all at once. Furthermore, the liquid tank section 4 is preferably located between the third side plate 6d and the fourth side plate 6e. Furthermore, it is preferable that the plates constituting the liquid tank section 4 do not have through-holes.

[0039] Fig. 9 is a plan view of a support member of a coating apparatus according to another embodiment. Fig. 10 is an E-E cross-sectional view of Fig. 9. As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the support member 6 preferably has at least one top plate 6f above the first side plate 6b and the second side plate 6c, in a portion other than the plurality of recesses 5. By having such a top plate 6f, evaporation of the solvent from the liquid tank section 4 can be reduced. The top plate 6f may be a flat plate, a curved plate, or a bent plate. The top plate 6f may also be formed integrally with the above-mentioned plates.

[0040] The support member 6 preferably contains a resin and / or a metal, more preferably contains a metal, and even more preferably is made of a metal. Examples of resins include polyamide resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, polyolefin resins, fluorine-containing resins, vinyl chloride resins, silicone resins, natural rubber, and mixtures thereof. Examples of metals include stainless steels such as SUS304 and SUS316, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, titanium, tungsten, gold, Ni-Ti alloys, Co-Cr alloys, and combinations thereof. Each plate constituting the support member 6 preferably contains the same material, and more preferably is made of the same material.

[0041] The medical elongated member 40 is a long member for forming a medical device. The medical elongated member 40 may be tubular with one or more lumens. Alternatively, the medical elongated member 40 may have a solid shape. The medical elongated member 40 may be flexible and / or elastic. The medical elongated member 40 preferably contains a resin and / or a metal. Examples of the resin include polyamide resin, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, polyolefin resin, fluorine resin, vinyl chloride resin, silicone resin, natural rubber, or a mixture thereof. Examples of the metal include stainless steel such as SUS304 or SUS316, platinum, nickel, cobalt, chromium, titanium, tungsten, gold, Ni-Ti alloy, Co-Cr alloy, or a combination thereof.

[0042] Examples of the medical elongated member 40 include a catheter, a guide wire, a tube, a stent, a pipe, a rod, and the like. Examples of the catheter include a balloon catheter, a cannula, a stent delivery catheter, and a microcatheter.

[0043] 11 is a schematic diagram of a coating device and a medical elongated member according to an embodiment. Hereinafter, the medical elongated member and each part that may be included in the coating device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0044] As shown in Figure 11, the elongated member 40 preferably has a first end 41 and a second end 42 in the longitudinal axis direction u. The outer diameter of the elongated member 40 may be constant throughout the entire longitudinal axis direction u, or the outer diameter may vary depending on the position in the longitudinal axis direction u. As shown in Figure 11, the elongated member 40 may have a large diameter portion 43 and a small diameter portion 44. Because Figure 11 shows the elongated member 40 for forming a balloon catheter, the large diameter portion 43 has a straight tube portion 431 and tapered portions 432 on both sides of the straight tube portion 431.

[0045] 11 , the coating apparatus 1 may further include a first holding part 25 that holds a first end 41 side of the long axis direction u of the elongated member 40, and a second holding part 26 that holds a second end 42 side of the long axis direction u of the elongated member 40. With this configuration, the long member 40 is stably held during coating, thereby preventing the long member 40 from shifting position.

[0046] The first holding portion 25 and the second holding portion 26 may have any mechanism capable of holding and releasing the elongated member 40 and / or the core material 28 (described later). For example, the elongated member 40 and / or the core material 28 may be held by pinching, clamping, grasping, sucking, fitting, or the like. The first holding portion 25 or the second holding portion 26 may be composed of one or more members. The first holding portion 25 and the second holding portion 26 may each have chuck pieces facing each other in the horizontal direction m or the vertical direction n. In FIG. 11, the first holding portion 25 has chuck pieces 251 and 252, and the second holding portion 26 has chuck pieces 261 and 262.

[0047] The elongated member 40 preferably has a lumen extending in the longitudinal direction, and the coating apparatus 1 preferably has an elongated core 28 disposed in the lumen of the elongated member 40. The core 28 has a first end 281 and a second end 282 in the longitudinal direction. The core 28 is threaded through the lumen of the elongated member 40 shown in FIG. 11 , with the first end 281 of the core 28 extending from the first end 41 of the elongated member 40 and the second end 282 of the core 28 extending from the second end 42 of the elongated member 40. The first holding unit 25 holds the end of the core 28 on the first end 281 side, and the second holding unit 26 holds the end of the core 28 on the second end 282 side. Holding the elongated member 40 via the core 28 in this manner enables coating of the entire elongated member 40 in the longitudinal direction u. Furthermore, because the elongated member 40 is not directly held, scratches on the surface of the elongated member 40 can be reduced. The coating liquid 50 may be applied to only a portion of the elongated member 40 in the longitudinal axis direction u, or may be applied to the entire elongated member 40 in the longitudinal axis direction u.

[0048] The core material 28 is a long, rod-shaped member. The core material 28 may be solid or hollow. For the material that constitutes the core material 28, the description of the material that constitutes the long member 40 can be referred to.

[0049] It is preferable that at least one of the first holding unit 25 and the second holding unit 26 has a rotation mechanism 27 that rotates the elongated member 40. With this configuration, the coating can be performed while the elongated member 40 is being rotated, which makes it easier to apply the coating liquid 50 uniformly in the circumferential direction of the elongated member 40. Note that while FIG. 11 shows an example in which the second holding unit 26 has the rotation mechanism 27, the first holding unit 25 may have the rotation mechanism 27, or the first holding unit 25 and the second holding unit 26 may each have a rotation mechanism 27.

[0050] The rotation mechanism 27 may revolve the elongated member 40 around the axis x of the coating apparatus 1, or may rotate the elongated member 40 about the center of its longitudinal axis. The direction of the axis x of the coating apparatus 1 may be parallel to the horizontal direction m. The direction of the axis x may be parallel to the longitudinal axis direction u of the elongated member 40. The direction of the axis x may be the longitudinal axis direction of the core material 28 before the elongated member 40 is revolved. The rotation mechanism 27 includes an actuator such as a motor that drives the first holding unit 25 or the second holding unit 26. For the configuration of the actuator, refer to the description of the drive mechanism 10 described below.

[0051] The support part 2 only needs to be configured to support at least a portion of the elongated member 40 in the longitudinal axis direction u, and does not need to support the entire elongated member 40 in the longitudinal axis direction u. For example, it is preferable that the support part 2 supports the elongated member 40 between the first end 41 and the second end 42. The support part 2 may support the elongated member 40 at one point in the longitudinal axis direction u, or at multiple points.

[0052] The support part 2 is preferably movable in the longitudinal direction u of the elongated member 40. Rails may be arranged above or below the support member 6, and the support part 2 may move along the rails. The support part 2 may be movable in the radial direction of the elongated member 40. The support part 2 may be movable in the horizontal direction m or in the vertical direction n. When the coating device 1 has multiple support members 6, it is preferable that the multiple support members 6 be movable together. Furthermore, multiple coating devices 1 may be used, and two locations, the shaft and balloon of the medical elongated member 40, may be coated at once, or the coating speed for the shaft and balloon may be changed to change the film thickness, or the coating lengths for the shaft and balloon may be changed to coat them.

[0053] The support member 6 may have a drive mechanism 10 to move the support part 2. The drive mechanism 10 is preferably connected to a control unit 35, and the movement of the support part 2 can be controlled by the control unit 35. The drive mechanism 10 preferably includes an actuator with one or more axes that drives the support part 2. The actuator may include mechanical elements such as a motor, a linear guide, a ball screw, a timing belt pulley, a slider, a rack and pinion, etc.

[0054] The coating apparatus 1 preferably has a liquid level adjusting unit 4c at one end 4a of the liquid tank unit 4 in the extension direction of the groove 4g. The liquid level adjusting unit 4c preferably has a coating liquid supply unit 21. The coating liquid supply unit 21 may have a storage unit 22 that stores the coating liquid 50 and a supply pipe 23 connected to the storage unit 22. The storage unit 22 and the supply pipe 23 may be connected to a pump 24. The pump 24 may be connected to a control unit 35 and supply a predetermined amount of the coating liquid 50 to the supply pipe 23 side. Examples of the pump 24 include a syringe pump and a tube pump.

[0055] 11, the coating liquid 50 is preferably poured into one end 4a of the groove from above the liquid tank section 4. However, the coating liquid 50 may also be poured from the side or bottom of the liquid tank section 4. For example, an internal flow path such as a through-hole communicating with the liquid tank section 4 may be provided in the support member 6, the supply pipe 23 may be connected to the internal flow path, and the coating liquid 50 may be poured from the internal flow path. The inner diameter of the internal flow path, the supply pipe 23, is preferably 0.1 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less.

[0056] The coating apparatus 1 may have a recovery unit 30 for recovering the coating liquid 50 spilled from the multiple recesses 5. The recovery unit 30 may be a container such as a saucer or tray, or a groove such as a tank or pit that can receive the coating liquid 50. The recovery unit 30 preferably has a wall for temporarily storing the coating liquid 50. The recovery unit 30 is preferably disposed below the support member 6. The recovery unit 30 may move in accordance with the movement of the support member 6 in the longitudinal axis direction u. In this case, the recovery unit 30 is also preferably connected to the drive mechanism 10.

[0057] The recovery unit 30 may have a discharge unit 31 that discharges the recovered coating liquid 50. The discharge unit 31 may be an openable / closable opening formed on the bottom or side of the recovery unit 30. The discharge unit 31 may be connected to the coating liquid supply unit 21 or to the internal flow path of the support member 6. These connections can be made using piping or a pump. This allows the recovered coating liquid 50 to be transferred to the coating liquid supply unit 21 or the liquid tank unit 4 for reuse.

[0058] The recovery unit 30 is preferably connected to the liquid adjustment unit 32, and more preferably connected to the liquid adjustment unit 32 via the discharge unit 31. The coating liquid 50 is preferably reused after parameters such as concentration are adjusted in the liquid adjustment unit 32.

[0059] 11, the support part 2 may move from the first end 41 side toward the second end 42 side of the elongated member 40, or from the second end 42 side toward the first end 41 side. The support part 2 may be movable in the radial direction of the elongated member 40. This makes it easier to move the support part 2 along the shape of the elongated member 40, and makes it easier to make the coating film thickness uniform.

[0060] It is preferable that both the support member 2 and the liquid tank member 4 are movable. When the liquid tank member 4 follows the movement of the support member 2, the coating liquid 50 can be easily supplied to the elongated member 40 while the movement of the elongated member 40 is restricted by the support member 2. The support member 6 and the liquid tank member 4 may be connected to each other.

[0061] The coating apparatus 1 preferably has a control unit 35 that controls the operation of each component of the coating apparatus 1. The control unit 35 may be connected to the coating liquid supply unit 21, the first holding unit 25, the second holding unit 26, the rotation mechanism 27, the drive mechanism 10, the recovery unit 30, the discharge unit 31, the liquid adjustment unit 32, or two or more of these components. Note that in FIG. 11 , the liquid adjustment unit 32 is not shown connected to the control unit 35.

[0062] The functions of the control unit 35 may be realized by hardware or software, such as a logic circuit formed in an integrated circuit.

[0063] The control unit 35 may include a computer that executes instructions of a program, which is software for realizing the functions of the control unit 35. The computer preferably includes a processor and a computer-readable recording medium that stores the program. The processor executes the program stored in the computer-readable recording medium, thereby realizing the functions. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) can be used as the processor. A ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like can be used as the recording medium. The recording medium can also include a RAM (Random Access Memory). The program can be supplied to the computer via any transmission medium that can transmit the program. Examples of the transmission medium include a communication network and a communication line. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1 Coating equipment 2 Support part m horizontal direction n Vertical direction x-axis 4 Liquid tank section 4a, 4b both ends 4c Liquid level adjustment part 4e Extending direction 4g groove 4l widening section 4m reduced width section 4w Groove width direction 4z Depth direction L1 Width of the groove at the top L2 Maximum groove length in width direction 5 recess 5a First recess 5b Second recess 5c Bottom of the recess 5s Recessed surface 5l Maximum recess length 5m bottom 6 Support member 6a Bottom plate 6b First side panel 6c Second side panel 6d Third side panel 6e Fourth side panel 6f Top board 10 Drive mechanism 21 Coating liquid supply section 22 Storage section 23 Supply pipe 24 Pump 25 1st holding part 251, 252 chuck pieces 26 Second holding part 261, 262 chuck pieces 27 Rotation mechanism 28 Core material 281 1st end 282 2nd end 30 Collection Department 31 Discharge section 32 Liquid adjustment section 35 Control Unit 40 Long medical components u Axial direction of long members 41 1st end 42 2nd end 43 Large diameter section 44 Small diameter section 431 Straight pipe section 432 Tapered section 50 Coating liquid 50a Coating liquid level

Claims

1. a support portion having a plurality of recesses arranged horizontally and capable of supporting an elongated medical member at its bottom; a liquid tank portion having a groove in which a coating liquid is stored and located below the lowest part of the plurality of recesses, the groove extends in a direction in which the plurality of recesses are arranged, and a length in a width direction of the groove is shorter than a maximum length of the recesses in the extension direction of the groove; A coating device in which the liquid level of the coating liquid in the liquid tank portion reaches the bottom of each of the plurality of recesses.

2. The coating apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of recesses are arranged at intervals in the extending direction of the groove.

3. 3. The coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of recesses are each capable of supporting the elongated member such that the axial direction of the elongated member is perpendicular to the extending direction of the groove.

4. a support member including a bottom plate having a length direction and a width direction, a first side plate formed on one end of the bottom plate in the width direction, and a second side plate formed on the other end of the bottom plate in the width direction and facing the first side plate; the first side plate has a plurality of first recesses in an upper portion thereof, and the second side plate has a plurality of second recesses in an upper portion thereof opposite to the plurality of first recesses; 4. The coating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of recesses includes the first recess and the second recess.

5. The coating apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the liquid tank portion is located between the first side plate and the second side plate.

6. 6. The coating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the support member further comprises at least one top plate on the upper portions of the first side plate and the second side plate, except for the plurality of recesses.

7. 7. The coating device according to claim 1, further comprising a liquid level adjusting section for adjusting the level of the coating liquid at at least one of both end sections of the liquid tank section in the extending direction of the groove.

8. The coating apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the liquid level adjusting unit has a coating liquid injector and / or a weight.

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