Holder For Electrically Charging A Substrate During Coating

• US 20080095919A1
• Filed: 10/23/2007
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Micell Medtech Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Micell Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Dicklnson, Ed, Worm, Steve, McClain, James B., Taylor, Doug
• Granted Patent: US 9,539,593 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 427/2.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/10 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 13/0207 the work being an elongated body, e.g. wire or pipe B05B13/0436, B05B13/0463 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/0533 Electrodes specially adapted therefor; Arrangements of electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 5/082 characterised by means for supporting, holding or conveying the objects
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 13/025 relatively small cylindrical objects, e.g. cans, bottles

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A stent holder for removably holding a stent during a coating process wherein the stent holder charges the stent during the coating process.

2. The holder of claim 1, wherein the holder forms an electrical field around the stent.

3. The stent holder of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a stent mounting portion.

4. The stent holder of claim 3, wherein the stent mounting portion comprises an electrically chargeable section.

5. The stent holder of claim 4, wherein the electrically chargeable section comprises at least one of a memory metal, or stainless steel.

6. The stent holder of claim 4, wherein the holder is disposable.

7. The stent holder of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a mask for masking at least a part of the stent.

8. The stent holder of claim 7, wherein the mask comprises at least one of a polymer, a non-stick material, or a non-conducting material.

9. The stent holder of claim 1, wherein the holder comprises a support interfacing portion for interfacing with a support, wherein the support supports and electrically charges the support interfacing portion.

10. The stent holder of claim 9, wherein the holder comprises a stent mounting portion.

11. The stent holder of claim 10, wherein the stent mounting portion comprises an electrically chargeable section that electrically charges the stent.

12. The stent holder of claim 11, wherein the electrically chargeable section comprises at least one of a memory metal, or stainless steel.

13. The stent holder of claim 11, wherein the stent mounting portion is one of configuration A, B, C, D, E, or F.

14. The stent holder of claim 13, wherein the stent mounting portion has configuration A, whereby the stent slides over an elliptical portion of the stent holder.

15. The stent holder of claim 13, wherein the stent mounting portion has a collapsed and an expanded state, wherein the collapsed state reduces contact between the stent mounting portion and the stent during stent removal or stent placement on the stent mounting portion.

16. The stent holder of claim 15, wherein the stent mounting portion in the expanded state has an outer diameter approximately equal to the stent inner diameter for securely mounting the stent while minimizing stent deformation.

17. The stent holder of claim 16, wherein the stent mounting portion comprises a mask for masking at least a part of the stent.

18. The stent holder of claim 17, wherein the mask comprises at least one of a polymer, or a non-stick material.

19. The stent holder of claim 16, wherein the stent mounting portion comprises a spring section.

20. The stent holder of claim 11, wherein the stent mounting portion is configuration G.

21. The stent holder of claim 20, wherein the stent mounting portion comprises a removable cap.

22. The stent holder of claim 11, wherein the stent mounting portion is one of configuration H, I, or J, wherein the stent mounting portion comprises a mask for masking at least a part of the stent inner surface.

23. The stent holder of claim 22, the mask comprising at least one of a polymer, or a non-stick material.

24. The stent holder of claim 22, wherein the electrically chargeable section has a larger outer diameter than the stent inner diameter whereby the stent sits on the electrically chargeable section.

25. The stent holder of claim 22, wherein the electrically chargeable section has an outer diameter approximately equivalent to stent inner diameter whereby the stent extends over and touches the electrically chargeable section.

26. The stent holder of claim 25, wherein the electrically chargeable section comprises threads winding around a central axis.

27. The stent holder of claim 11, wherein the stent mounting portion is in configuration K, wherein the stent mounting portion has threads winding around a central axis and wherein the threads are non-conductive.

28. The stent holder of claim 27, wherein the electrically chargeable section has a larger outer diameter than the stent inner diameter, whereby when mounted, the stent sits on the electrically chargeable section.

29. The stent holder of claim 27, wherein the electrically chargeable section has an outer diameter approximately equivalent to stent inner diameter, such then when mounted, the stent extends over and touches the electrically chargeable section.

30. The holder of claim 2, wherein the holder further comprises a member for manipulating the electrical field around the stent.

31. The stent holder of claim 11, wherein the support interfacing portion is one of configuration L, M, N, 0, P, or Q.

32. The stent holder of claim 31, wherein the support interfacing portion has a collapsed and an expanded state, wherein the support interfacing portion in its expanded state couples the stent holder to a support coupling portion of a support and electrically charges the stent holder, and wherein the support interfacing portion in its collapsed state reduces contact between the support coupling portion of the support and the stent holder.

33. The stent holder of claim 31, wherein the support interfacing portion comprises at least one of a memory metal, or stainless steel.

34. An assembly comprising:

at least one stent holder for removably holding a stent during a coating process wherein the stent holder charges the stent during the coating process; and

a support for supporting the at least one stent holder, wherein the support electrically charges the stent holder.

35. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the assembly comprises two or more stent holders for removably holding stents during a coating process wherein the stent holder charges the stents during the coating process.

36. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the assembly comprises three or more stent holders for removably holding stents during a coating process wherein the stent holder charges the stents during the coating process.

37. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the assembly comprises four or more stent holders for removably holding stents during a coating process wherein the stent holder charges the stents during the coating process.

38. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the assembly comprises five or more stent holders for removably holding stents during a coating process wherein the stent holder charges the stents during the coating process.

39. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the assembly comprises six or more stent holders for removably holding stents during a coating process wherein the stent holder charges the stents during the coating process.

40. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the assembly comprises eight or more stent holders for removably holding stents during a coating process wherein the stent holder charges the stents during the coating process.

41. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the assembly comprises ten or more stent holders for removably holding stents during a coating process wherein the stent holder charges the stents during the coating process.

42. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the assembly comprises fifteen or more stent holders for removably holding stents during a coating process wherein the stent holder charges the stents during the coating process.

43. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the assembly comprises twenty-five or more stent holders for removably holding stents during a coating process wherein the stent holder charges the stents during the coating process.

44. The assembly of claim 34, wherein stent holders are arranged in a circular configuration.

45. The assembly of claim 34, wherein stent holders are arranged in a triangular configuration.

46. The assembly of claim 34, wherein stent holders are arranged in a square configuration.

47. The assembly of claim 34, wherein stent holders are arranged in a polygonal configuration.

48. The assembly of claim 34, wherein stent holders are arranged in a symmetric configuration.

49. The assembly of claim 34, wherein the holder comprises a support interfacing portion for interfacing with the support, wherein the support supports and electrically charges the support interfacing portion.

50. The assembly of claim 49, wherein the support comprises at least one coupling portion for electrically coupling to the support interfacing portion of the stent holder.

51. The assembly comprising of claim 50, wherein the support comprises a charging portion connected to an electrical source.

52. The assembly of claim 51, wherein the support coupling portion comprises at least one of a clamp, a hole, a bore, or a tube.

53. The assembly of claim 51, wherein the support coupling portion comprises at least one of configurations R, S, T, or U.

54. The assembly comprising of claim 51, wherein the support coupling portion is on the outside of the support.

55. The assembly comprising of claim 51, wherein the support coupling portion is at least a part internal to the support.

56. A chamber for a stent coating process wherein the chamber comprises:

a base comprising a first hole;

an assembly comprising;

at least one stent holder for removably holding a stent during a coating process wherein the stent holder charges the stent during the coating process, and a support for supporting the at least one stent holder, wherein the support electrically charges the stent holder; and

a coating nozzle for coating the stent held by the assembly,

wherein the assembly sits on the base, wherein the first hole in the base provides the coating nozzle access to the chamber for coating the stent, and wherein the coating nozzle is removably fitted in the first hole.

57. The chamber of claim 56, wherein the chamber further comprises at least one grounded member connected to a ground source.

58. The chamber of claim 57, wherein the at least one grounded member is removably fitted in the first or a second base hole.

59. The chamber of claim 56, wherein the chamber further comprises a purge nozzle for purging the chamber, wherein the purge nozzle is fitted in the first, a second, or a third base hole.

60. The chamber of claim 56, wherein the chamber further comprises an insulating stand for insulating the base from the electrical charge of the assembly, wherein the assembly sits on the insulating stand, and the insulating stand sits on the base, and wherein the insulating stand has at least one hole aligning with the first, a second, a third, or a fourth base hole.

61. The chamber of claim 56, wherein the chamber further comprises a cover that fits over the assembly and sits on the base.

62. The chamber of claim 61, wherein the chamber further comprises at least one insulating grounded member outside the cover, wherein the insulating grounded member is connected to a ground source and removably sits on the base.

63. The chamber of claim 61, wherein the cover is transparent.

64. The chamber of claim 61, wherein the cover comprises an insulator material.

65. The chamber of claim 61, wherein the cover is disposable.

66. The chamber of claim 56, wherein the base has non-conductive properties.

67. The chamber of claim 56, wherein the base is a thermoformed plastic part.

68. The chamber of claim 56, wherein the chamber comprises an electrical source connected to the support of the assembly.

69. The chamber of claim 58, wherein the chamber further comprises a purge nozzle for purging the chamber, wherein the purge nozzle is fitted in the first, the second, or a third base hole.

70. The chamber of claim 69, wherein the chamber further comprises an insulating stand for insulating the base from the electrical charge of the assembly, wherein the assembly sits on the insulating stand, and the insulating stand sits on the base, and wherein the insulating stand has at least one hole aligning with the first, the second, the third, or a fourth base hole.

71. The chamber of claim 70, wherein the chamber further comprises a cover that fits over the assembly and sits on the base.

72. The chamber of claim 71, wherein the chamber further comprises at least one insulating ground member connected to a ground source, said insulating ground member circles the assembly and removably sits on the base.

73. The chamber of claim 72, wherein the base has non-conductive properties.

74. The chamber of claim 73, wherein the chamber comprises an electrical source connected to the support of the assembly.

75. The chamber of claim 74, wherein the assembly comprises a plurality of stent holders arranged in a circular configuration, and wherein the coating nozzle is positioned within the circular configuration formed by the holders.

76. A method of coating a plurality of stents, the method comprising:

providing an assembly comprising a support and a plurality of stent holders wherein the stent holders are arranged in a circular configuration, and wherein a coating nozzle is positioned within the circular configuration formed by the stent holders;

mounting the stents onto the stent holders;

electrically charging the stents by electrically charging the support which electrically charges the stent holder upon which the stents are mounted; and

exposing the electrically charged stents to coating particles from the coating nozzle wherein the electrically charged stents attract the coating particles and wherein the coating particles deposit on the stents while maintaining the stents stationary during coating.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the coating particles comprise inert polymers, pharmaceutical or biological agents.