Methods for Coating Medical Devices

A method comprising:

• providing a medical device comprising a substrate;
• providing a source of polymeric particles;
• applying the polymeric particles to a surface of the substrate, the polymeric particles comprising at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of glycolide, lactide, p-dioxanone, ε-caprolactone, trimethylene carbonate, orthoesters, phosphoesters, and combinations thereof;
• and
• heating a surface of the particles to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the polymeric particles as they travel from the source of the particles to the substrate,
• wherein the particles form a coating on at least a portion of the surface of the substrate upon contact therewith.

A system for applying a coating to a medical device comprising:

• at least one source of polymeric particles;
• at least one substrate;
• at least one spraying unit for applying the polymeric particles to the substrate;
• and
• at least one heating unit for heating a surface of the particles as they travel from the source of polymeric particles to the substrate.