Method and apparatus for coating an implant device
AssigneeAdvanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
InventorBrandon J. Yoe
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and methods for applying a coating to an implantable device. The implantable device can include depots formed in the outer surface thereof to receive the coating. The coating can include a polymer and a solvent applicable to the surface of the implantable device including the depots. The application of the composition is performed under a pressure, which can reduce the surface tension and/or molecular adhesion force of the composition. The reduced surface tension and/or adhesion force allows gas bubbles within the depots to be removed while the composition is being driven into the depots.
Claims20
A method of loading a substance comprising:
- providing an implantable device defining a longitudinal axis and having at least one depot formed on a surface thereof;
- and
- applying a pressure to said surface of said implantable device to reduce the surface tension of a substance being delivered to said depot.
A method of loading an implantable device with a substance, said method comprising:
- applying a substance to a surface of an implantable device including at least one depot;
- and
- moving said implantable device through a pressurizing device to reduce the surface tension of said substance.
An apparatus for loading an implantable device with a substance, comprising:
- a mandrel for supporting an implantable device having at least one depot;
- and
- a funnel disposed in a bath of a substance;
- said mandrel being moveable within said funnel to create a pressure gradient over said implantable device which reduces a surface tension of said substance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.