Medical device coating methods and devices

• US 6,322,847 B1
• Filed: 10/10/2000
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: Tsukernik, Vladimir B., Zhong, Sheng-ping
• Primary Examiner(s): Beck, Shrive P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MICHENER, JENNIFER KOLB
• Application Number:
  US09/685,641
• Time in Patent Office: 413 Days
• Field of Search: 427/2.28, 427/2.3, 427/348, 427/378, 427/232, 427/235, 427/2.25, 427/421, 427/430.1, 427/2.24
• US Class Current: 427/2.28
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/0105 Open ended, i.e. legs gathered only at one side
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/91 made from perforated sheet material or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/915 with bands having a meander structure, adjacent bands being connected to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91541 Adjacent bands are arranged out of phase
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/91558 connected peak to peak
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0016 with sharp anchoring protrusions, e.g. barbs, pins, spikes
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0006 circular
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/005 Rosette-shaped, e.g. star-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0054 V-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2230/0067 conical
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 2300/606 Coatings
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/10 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/16 Biologically active materials, e.g. therapeutic substances A61L31/047 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05C 11/06 with a blast of gas or vapour
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 3/042 Directing or stopping the fluid to be coated with air
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 67/04 Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids, e.g. lactones C08L67/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 71/02 Polyalkylene oxides
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 75/04 Polyurethanes

Abstract

Devices and methods for applying a polymeric coating to a medical device. The steps of the coating process including applying a liquid polymeric material to the surface of the medical device, then directing a stream of gas to impinge on the surface of the medical device. Excess liquid polymeric material is removed from the surface of the medical device. The devices used in the coating process and the coated medical device are also part of this invention.

Claims

1. A method for applying a uniform polymeric coating to a medical device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a medical device having a plurality of surfaces including at least one internal surface;

applying a polymeric coating to the plurality of surfaces of the medical device; and

applying a stream of gas to the plurality of surfaces of the medical device, including the at least one internal surface, wherein the stream of gas is of a sufficient strength to remove excess polymeric coating.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the stream of gas is applied through an emitting source defining a lumen and at least one aperture in fluid communication with the lumen.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one aperture is a hole.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one aperture is a slot.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric coating includes a solvent carrier.

6. The method of claim 5, further including the step of evaporating at least a portion of the solvent carrier to form a dried coating.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric coating is applied to the surface of the medical device by spraying.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric coating is applied to the surface of the medical device by immersing the medical device in the polymeric coating.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the medical device is a stent.

10. A method for coating an implantable medical device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing an implantable medical device having a plurality of surfaces, including at least one internal surface;

coating a polymeric material over the plurality of surfaces of the implantable medical device; and

applying a stream of gas to the coated surfaces of the implantable medical device, including the at least one internal surface, wherein the stream of gas is of sufficient strength to remove excess polymeric material from the coated surfaces of the implantable medical device.

11. The method of claim 10, whereing the implantable medical device is a stent.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the stream of gas is applied through an emitting source defining a lumen and at least one aperture in fluid communication with the lumen.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one aperture is a hole.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one aperture is a slot.

15. In a process for applying a polymeric material to a medical device having a plurality of surfaces, including at least one internal surface, wherein a coating of polymeric material is applied over the plurality of surfaces of the medical device;

the improvement comprising;

applying a stream of gas to the coated plurality of surfaces of the medical device, including the at least one internal surface, wherein the stream of gas is of sufficient strength to remove excess polymeric material from the coated surfaces of the medical device.

16. The process of claim 15, wherein the stream of gas is applied through an emitting source defining a lumen and at least one aperture in fluid communication with the lumen.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one aperture is a hole.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one aperture is a slot.