Method and apparatus for coating of substrates
AssigneeSurModics, Inc.
InventorRalph A. Chappa
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The invention relates to methods and apparatuses that reduce problems encountered during coating of a device, such as a medical device having a cylindrical shape. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus including a bi-directional rotation member. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method with a bi-directional indexing movement. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating solution supply member having a major axis oriented parallel to a gap between rollers on a coating apparatus. In an embodiment, the invention includes a device retaining member. In an embodiment, the invention includes an air nozzle or an air knife. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method including removing a static charge from a small diameter medical device.
Claims12
A method for coating a stent comprising the steps of:
- a) placing the stent on a device rotator, the device rotator comprising a pair of rollers, the pair comprising a first roller and a second roller separated by a gap not wider than the device;
- b) disposing a coating material on the stent, comprising spraying a coating material from a nozzle, wherein the nozzle is arranged to direct spray at the gap;
- c) rotating the stent a first amount of rotation by rotating at least one of the first or second rollers in a first direction, the first amount of rotation sufficient to release sticking between the stent and the first or second roller;
- and
- d) rotating the stent a second amount of rotation by rotating at least one of the first or second rollers in a second direction, the first direction being opposite of the second direction;
- wherein the second amount of rotation is greater than the first amount of rotation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.