Balloon Coating Positioning via Intersecting Dispensing Tube Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The morphological form of drugs on balloon catheters can vary due to solvent evaporation time, making it challenging to control the crystalline or amorphous form, which affects drug release and tissue transferability, and existing coating methods do not allow for flexible setting of these forms.
Innovation Solution
A positioning method for balloon coating where the dispensing tube moves intersecting its extending direction to contact the balloon, allowing for controlled application of the coating solution, reducing balloon burden, and enabling the formation of desired morphological forms of water-insoluble drugs, such as elongate crystals, by adjusting the contact angle and movement relative to the balloon's rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the dispensing tube is moved in the extending direction to contact the balloon, then the coating application is simplified, but the balloon may be deformed or damaged due to collision
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing tube is moved in a direction intersecting its extending direction (perpendicular to the extending direction) to contact the balloon, rather than moving along the extending direction. This dimensional change in approach prevents collision and deformation while maintaining coating application capability
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the dispensing tube forward along its extending direction to contact the balloon (conventional approach), the invention moves the dispensing tube in the opposite perpendicular direction to achieve contact, thereby avoiding damage to the balloon
2Manufacturing precision
If the balloon is rotated at high speed to improve coating uniformity, then the coating uniformity is improved, but the balloon may be deformed due to centrifugal force
Solution Approach 1:
The invention rotates the balloon at a low speed (1-30 rpm) rather than high speed, changing the rotation speed parameter to reduce centrifugal force and prevent deformation while still achieving coating uniformity through the intersecting movement approach
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing tube moves in a direction intersecting its extending direction (perpendicular to the tube axis) to contact the rotating balloon, creating a sweeping coating pattern that ensures uniformity without requiring high rotation speeds
3Manufacturing precision
If the solvent evaporation time is extended to form desired crystal morphology, then the drug release property is improved, but the production time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the rotation speed parameter (1-30 rpm) and the dispensing tube movement parameters (intersecting direction and speed) to control solvent evaporation rate and crystal morphology formation, achieving desired drug release properties while maintaining efficient production timing
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
This method enhances workability by reducing the risk of balloon deformation, allows for precise control of the coating layer's thickness and morphological form, and improves the uniformity and effectiveness of drug release by forming desired crystal structures like elongate bodies, effectively inhibiting restenosis.
Implementation Method 1
a coating layer containing a drug is formed on an outer surface of a balloon
Implementation Method 2
the drug in the coating on the outer surface of the balloon can assume different morphological forms such as crystalline form, amorphous form, and mixed formed thereof, depending on various conditions such as the length of time of volatilization of the solvent
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Provided is a positioning method for balloon coating by which the thickness, morphological form and the like of a drug in a coating formed on a balloon can be suitably set. This method is a positioning method for balloon coating for forming a coating layer (32) containing a water-insoluble drug on an outer surface of a balloon (30) of a balloon catheter (10). The positioning method includes a positioning step in which a dispensing tube (94) is moved, from a state of non-contact with the balloon (30), in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the dispensing tube (94), and an opening portion-formed end portion side of the dispensing tube (94) formed at its end portion with an opening portion (95) for discharging a coating solution is thereby placed in contact with the outer surface of the balloon (30).