Balloon Coating Device Dual-Side Rotation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing balloon coating methods struggle to consistently apply a proper quantity of coating solution and control the morphological form of drugs on the balloon surface, leading to variations in drug release and tissue transferability.

Innovation Solution

A balloon coating method and device that apply a rotation force at the same speed to both the proximal and distal sides of the balloon, ensuring uniform rotation and preventing twisting or bias, while also allowing for precise control of the contact force of the dispensing tube and the morphological form of the drug.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the balloon is rotated during coating application, then the coating solution can be applied to the surface, but the balloon may become twisted or biased causing position variation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating uniformityVSAvoidballoon position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rotation system is divided into two independent drive units: one rotating the balloon from the proximal side and another from the distal side. This segmentation allows each drive unit to apply rotation force independently, preventing the twisting and biasing that occurs with single-sided rotation while maintaining coating uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If the coating solution is applied to the balloon surface, then the drug is deposited, but the morphological form of the drug cannot be properly controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrug depositionVSAvoiddrug morphological form control
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The dual-drive rotation system provides stable, controlled rotation that enables precise control over the contact force between the dispensing tube and balloon surface. This stable rotational control creates consistent conditions for drug crystallization, allowing proper control of the drug's morphological form while ensuring adequate deposition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If rotation force is applied to rotate the balloon, then coating can be applied uniformly, but the balloon may twist or bias causing position variation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation speedVSAvoidballoon orientation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses asymmetric positioning of two rotation drive units at opposite ends of the balloon. By applying rotation force from both the proximal and distal sides simultaneously, the system creates a balanced rotational motion that prevents the balloon from twisting or biasing in any single direction, maintaining orientation stability while achieving uniform coating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method ensures a uniform coating layer with controlled drug morphological form, enhancing drug release and tissue transferability, and preventing balloon deformation during the coating process.

Implementation Method 1

the coating solution is dried so as to form a coating layer containing the drug

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVolatilization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP3251720B1Balloon coating method and balloon coating device
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 TERUMO KK
  • EP3251720B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3251720B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3251720B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There are provided a balloon coating method, a balloon rotating method, and a balloon coating device, which can properly apply a coating solution to an outer surface of a balloon, and which can properly set a morphological form of a drug used in coating the balloon. A balloon coating method for forming a coating layer (32) containing a water-insoluble drug on an outer surface of a balloon (30) of a balloon catheter (10) has a step of applying a rotation force at the same rotation speed to both an proximal side and a distal side further from a region where the balloon (30) of the balloon catheter (10) is inflated, to move a dispensing tube (134) for supplying a coating solution containing the drug relatively to the balloon (30) in an axial direction (X) of the balloon (30) while rotating the balloon (30) around an axis (X) of the balloon (30), so as to apply the coating solution to the outer surface of the balloon (30) .