Angioplasty Balloon Coating Fixture with Tensioned Mandrel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Long balloon catheters tend to sag during the coating process, leading to uneven rotation and inhibition of maintaining a continuous liquid bridge, which hampers the uniform application of therapeutic coatings.
Innovation Solution
A fixture system with a mounting rail, drive unit, and distal coupling assembly that includes a mandrel and collet configuration to maintain the balloon's tension and prevent sagging, allowing for axial displacement and rotation to ensure uniform coating application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If long balloon catheters are used to treat long vessel sections, then the ability to treat long vessel sections is improved, but the balloon sags during coating process leading to uneven rotation and inability to maintain continuous liquid bridge
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is segmented into multiple support members positioned at different locations along the mounting rail, with the first support member supporting the proximal end region and the second support member supporting the distal end region of the balloon catheter, providing distributed support to prevent sagging
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds axial displacement capability along the mounting rail as a new dimension of motion, allowing the support members to move independently along the rail to accommodate different balloon lengths and maintain proper support geometry
2Length of moving object
If long balloon catheters are used, then treatment of long vessel sections is enabled, but uniform coating application becomes difficult due to sagging and uneven rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon catheter is pre-positioned on the mandrel and the support members are pre-configured on the mounting rail before the coating process begins, ensuring proper alignment and tension are established prior to coating application
Solution Approach 2:
The mandrel serves as an intermediary element between the balloon catheter and the support members, providing a central axis for the balloon to rotate around and ensuring uniform coating distribution through controlled rotation
3Stability of the object's composition
If the balloon is held taut during coating, then sagging is prevented and uniform coating is achieved, but the fixture system becomes more complex with multiple support members and actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting rail serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the entire fixture system, guides the movement of support members, and establishes the longitudinal axis for balloon positioning and rotation during the coating process
Solution Approach 2:
The support members are designed with actuators that enable dynamic axial displacement along the mounting rail, allowing the system to adapt to different balloon lengths and maintain optimal support configuration throughout the coating process
Data Source
AI summary
A fixture for holding a medical device during a coating process. The fixture may comprise a mounting rail extending from a first end region to a second end region, a drive unit movably coupled to the mounting rail, a proximal coupling assembly removably coupled to the drive unit, a support member movably coupled to the mounting rail, a distal coupling assembly removably coupled to the support member, and a mandrel configured to extend through a lumen of a medical device. The mandrel may have a first end configured to be releasably coupled to the proximal coupling assembly and a second end configured to be releasably coupled to the distal coupling assembly. Actuation of the distal coupling assembly and/or the support member may be configured to pull the mandrel taut.