Methods for abluminally coating medical devices
AssigneeBoston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
InventorsTracee E. J. Eidenschink, Matt Heidner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stent crimping and coating apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of crimping blades positioned in a radial array and collectively forming a central crimping lumen, wherein the plurality of crimping blades radially movable to alter the diameter of the central crimping lumen. Each of the crimping blades includes a first surface configured to at least in part define the central crimping lumen. One or more of the crimping blades includes a fluid channel extending therein and a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the fluid channel. The plurality of openings are located at the first surface of the one or more crimping blades and adapted to discharge a fluid into the central crimping lumen.
Claims13
A method of crimping and coating a stent on a stent delivery assembly, comprising the steps of:
- providing a crimping apparatus including a plurality of crimping blades positioned in a radial array and collectively forming a central crimping lumen, the plurality of crimping blades radially movable to alter the diameter of the central crimping lumen, one or more of the crimping blades including a fluid channel and one or more openings in fluid communication with the fluid channel;
- positioning a balloon of a balloon catheter and a stent surrounding a portion of the balloon in the crimping lumen of the crimping apparatus;
- radially contracting the plurality of crimping blades toward the stent to thereby crimp the stent onto the balloon;
- coating at least a portion of the stent by discharging a fluid into the crimping lumen and into contact with the stent from the one or more openings;
- radially retracting the plurality of crimping blades away from the stent;
- and
- removing the balloon and crimped stent from the crimping lumen of the crimping apparatus.
A method of crimping and coating a stent on a stent delivery assembly, comprising the steps of:
- providing a crimping apparatus including a plurality of crimping blades positioned in a radial array and collectively forming a central crimping lumen, the plurality of crimping blades radially movable to alter the diameter of the central crimping lumen;
- applying a coating to the central crimping lumen of the crimping apparatus;
- positioning a balloon of a balloon catheter and a stent surrounding a portion of the balloon in the crimping lumen of the crimping apparatus;
- radially contracting the plurality of crimping blades toward the stent to thereby crimp the stent onto the balloon, wherein at least a portion of the coating is applied to the stent;
- radially retracting the plurality of crimping blades away from the stent;
- and
- removing the balloon and crimped stent from the crimping lumen of the crimping apparatus.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.