Stent Holder Electrostatic Coating Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solvent-based spray coating processes face inefficiencies in uniformly coating small, complex biomedical substrates like stents, leading to inconsistent and defective coatings, particularly in maintaining the structural and morphological integrity of pharmaceutical or biological agents.
Innovation Solution
A stent holder that electrically charges the stent and creates an electrical field around it during the coating process, using conductive materials like stainless steel and Nitinol, to attract and uniformly deposit coating particles while minimizing substrate deformation and ensuring controlled release of agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional solvent-based spray coating processes are used, then the coating can be applied to substrates, but the coating consistency and uniformity deteriorate, especially on small and mechanically complex substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical spray coating system with an electrostatic field-based coating system. By applying electrical charges to the substrate holder and creating electrical fields around the substrate, coating particles are attracted and deposited uniformly without relying on mechanical spray mechanisms, thereby improving coating consistency and uniformity while maintaining process efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the coating process by introducing electrical parameters (voltage, charge distribution) to control coating particle behavior. By adjusting electrical field strength and distribution, the system achieves uniform coating deposition on complex geometries that are difficult to coat with conventional mechanical methods
2Manufacturing precision
If the substrate size decreases and mechanical complexity increases, then more precise coating control is needed, but the difficulty of uniformly coating all surfaces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating localized electrical fields around specific regions of the substrate using segmented or positioned charge sources. This allows different areas of complex substrates to receive appropriately tailored electrical field strength and distribution, ensuring uniform coating on all surfaces including hard-to-reach areas, thereby improving coating conformity without increasing mounting complexity
3Manufacturing precision
If electrical field is created around the stent, then coating particle attraction and uniform deposition improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the substrate holder to serve multiple functions: mechanical support, electrical charging, and electrical field generation. By integrating these functions into a single multi-functional holder structure, the system achieves uniform coating deposition without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as the same structural elements perform multiple roles
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 solution enables efficient, uniform, and conformal coating of stents with preserved agent morphology, reducing coating defects and enhancing biocompatibility, thereby improving the therapeutic efficacy of drug-eluting stents and other biomedical implants.
Implementation Method 1
A cost-effective method for depositing inert polymers and pharmaceutical or biological agents onto a substrate, where the collection process is efficient, the coating produced is conformal, substantially defect-free and uniform... The method as described in PCT/U.S. 06/027,321 contemplates electrically charging the stent and creating an electrical field around the stent and stent holder during the coating method.
Implementation Method 2
The present invention relates to a holder for mounting and electrically charging a stent during a coating process... the holder forms an electrical field around the stent.
Data Source
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AI summary
A stent holder for mounting and electrically charging a stent during coating of the stent using dry particles, the particles comprising inert polymers, pharmaceutical or biological agents, is provided. An assembly for supporting and electrically charging a stent during the coating of the stent using dry particles, the particles comprising inert polymers, pharmaceutical or biological agents, is provided. A chamber for creating an electrical field around a stent and for supporting, electrically charging, and exposing the stent to dry particles, the particles comprising inert polymers, pharmaceutical or biological agents, is provided. A method for creating an electrical field around a stent and for supporting, electrically charging, and exposing the stent to dry particles comprising inert polymers, pharmaceutical or biological agents is provided.