Balloon Coating Apparatus with Rotating Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current balloon coating methods struggle to apply a consistent coating of water-insoluble drugs onto balloon catheters, as the morphological form of the drug (crystalline or amorphous) is influenced by solvent evaporation time, leading to unpredictable drug release and transfer to tissue, and there is a need for a method to control the drug's morphological form effectively.
Innovation Solution
A balloon coating method involving a rotatable support system that stabilizes the balloon catheter during coating, using a dispensing tube to apply a coating liquid while rotating, ensuring consistent contact and controlled morphological form of the drug, with a rectilinear groove and clamping mechanism to maintain shaft stability and prevent eccentricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the balloon is held fixed during coating, then the coating application is simple, but the balloon surface position fluctuates causing inconsistent coating quantity
Solution Approach 1:
The support part is designed to rotate together with the balloon during coating application. This dynamic adjustment allows the balloon surface to maintain a stable position relative to the dispensing tube, ensuring consistent coating quantity while keeping the operation simple. The rotation synchronizes the balloon movement with the coating process.
2Manufacturing precision
If the balloon rotates during coating, then the coating quantity consistency improves, but the shaft bend causes balloon twisting and eccentricity
Solution Approach 1:
The support part is designed to rotate together with the balloon in advance, creating a synchronized rotation system. This preliminary arrangement prevents the balloon from twisting or becoming eccentric during rotation, as the support structure maintains proper alignment and counteracts the effects of shaft bends before they can cause deformation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the dispensing tube contacts the balloon with high force, then the morphological form control improves, but the balloon deformation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support part rotates together with the balloon, providing real-time position feedback and maintaining stable contact between the dispensing tube and balloon surface. This synchronized rotation allows for precise control of the contact force, ensuring consistent drug morphological form without excessive balloon deformation, as the system automatically adjusts to maintain optimal contact conditions.
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 allows for precise application of the coating liquid, stabilizing the balloon's surface during rotation, enabling the formation of a consistent morphological form of the drug, enhancing drug release and transfer efficacy while preventing balloon deformation and eccentricity.
Implementation Method 1
rotating the balloon together with the support part about the axis of the 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 forms thereof, depending on various conditions such as the length of time of volatilization of the solvent
Data Source
AI summary
A balloon coating method for forming a coating layer containing a water-insoluble drug on the outer surface of a balloon of a balloon catheter, wherein the balloon catheter includes an elongate shaft possessing a distal portion at which is provided the balloon which is inflatable. The balloon coating method includes: holding the shaft on a support part capable of rotating about an axis of the balloon; and moving a dispensing tube for supplying a coating liquid containing the drug relative to the balloon in an axial direction of the balloon, while rotating the balloon together with the support part, thereby to coat the outer surface of the balloon with the coating liquid.