Rotating Implantable Device Coating System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedures face challenges such as acute occlusion and restenosis due to elastic recoil, arterial dissection, vasospasm, and thrombosis, and existing coating methods for implantable devices like stents are inefficient, leading to webbing and uneven coating.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for rotating an implantable device at a relative speed of over 120 revolutions per minute to apply a coating uniformly, using a material delivery apparatus that produces a spray pattern, reducing droplet size and increasing spatial resolution, while maintaining a controlled flow rate and minimizing material buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If spray coating is used to coat implantable devices, then coating speed is reduced, but it may avoid some defects compared to conventional coating methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a rotation mechanism that rotates the implantable device during spray coating at controlled speeds (e.g., 1-100 RPM). This dynamic rotation ensures uniform exposure of all device surfaces to the spray material, eliminating webbing and cobweb defects while maintaining consistent coating thickness across complex geometries like stents.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation mechanism acts as an intermediary between the stationary spray coating apparatus and the implantable device. By introducing this intermediate rotational motion, the system achieves uniform coating distribution without requiring complex movement of the spray apparatus itself, thus maintaining coating speed while improving uniformity.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional coating methods are used on intricate device geometries, then coating may be applied, but webbing and cobweb defects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation mechanism continuously moves the implantable device during coating, preventing material accumulation in crevices and complex geometries. This dynamic approach eliminates webbing and cobweb defects that occur with static coating methods, while still allowing coating of intricate structures like stent struts and connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic rotation of the device creates cyclic exposure patterns where different surfaces are sequentially presented to the spray material. This periodic action ensures that material is distributed evenly over time, preventing defect formation in intricate geometries while maintaining coating completeness.
3Productivity
If spray coating is used, then coating may be applied to complex geometries, but coating efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation mechanism optimizes material distribution by ensuring all device surfaces are uniformly exposed to the spray plume. This dynamic positioning reduces material waste from overspray and missed areas, improving coating efficiency while maintaining appropriate material usage for complete coverage of complex geometries.
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 efficient and uniform coating of implantable devices, reducing the risk of occlusion and restenosis by effectively applying therapeutic agents, thereby improving vascular patency and treatment outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
The implantable device is rotated at a relative speed of more that about 120 revolutions per minute... The relative speed is generally sufficient to reduce the size of a portion of droplets of the spray pattern
Implementation Method 2
A spray pattern of an application material is produced using the material delivery apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
A method for applying a coating to an implantable device is disclosed. The method includes positioning an implantable device relative to an ultrasonic material delivery apparatus. The implantable device is rotated at a relative speed. The relative speed may be more than 120 revolutions per minute. An application material is applied to the implantable device using the ultrasonic material delivery apparatus. The relative speed may be sufficient to reduce the size of at least a portion of droplets of the application material. A system for rotating an implantable device is disclosed. The system includes an implantable device and a rotation system configured to rotate the implantable device. A longitudinal axis of the implantable device and a longitudinal axis of a rotation member of the rotation system may be offset a desired dimension. An inside diameter of the implantable device may be larger than an outside diameter of a rotation member.