Stent mandrel fixture and method for minimizing coating defects
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for supporting a stent during the process of applying a coating substance to the stent, comprising:
- a mandrel having a hollow tubular body and pores disposed on the surface of the mandrel, the pores extending through the body and configured to receive a coating substance;
a vacuum device in fluid communication with the mandrel for extracting the coating substance that is applied to the stent; and
a coupling for allowing the mandrel to rotate with respect to the vacuum device.
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Abstract
A stent mandrel fixture for supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is provided.
276 Citations
11 Claims
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1. An apparatus for supporting a stent during the process of applying a coating substance to the stent, comprising:
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a mandrel having a hollow tubular body and pores disposed on the surface of the mandrel, the pores extending through the body and configured to receive a coating substance;
a vacuum device in fluid communication with the mandrel for extracting the coating substance that is applied to the stent; and
a coupling for allowing the mandrel to rotate with respect to the vacuum device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. An apparatus, comprising:
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a first member to support a first end of a stent;
a second member to support a second end of the stent;
a third member connecting the first member to the second member and extending through a longitudinal bore of the stent, the third member having a longitudinal bore, and the third member having pores on a surface of the third member, the pores extending all the way through the surface to the bore; and
a vacuum device in fluid communication with the bore of the third member to apply a vacuum pressure so as to extract any excess coating substance that is applied to the stent during a process of coating the stent. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A stent coating device, comprising:
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a mandrel for being inserted at least partially through a longitudinal bore of a stent, the mandrel having a hollow tubular body and pores formed on the surface of the mandrel, the pores extending all the way through the body and configured to receive a coating composition;
a vacuum device in fluid communication with the mandrel for collecting excess coating composition that is applied to the stent; and
a means for rotating the mandrel about a longitudinal axis of the stent.
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11. A stent coating device, comprising:
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a mandrel for being inserted at least partially through a longitudinal bore of a stent, the mandrel having a hollow tubular body and pores formed on the surface of the mandrel, the pores extending all the way through the body and configured to receive a coating composition;
a vacuum device in fluid communication with the mandrel for collecting excess coating composition that is applied to the stent;
a means for rotating the mandrel about a longitudinal axis of the stent; and
a means for allowing the mandrel to rotate with respect to the vacuum device.
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Specification