Method for selectively coating surfaces of a stent
First Claim
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1. A method of coating a stent with a composition, the method comprising:
- positioning a stent on a support, the support comprisinga masking element configured to be inserted through a bore of a stent, the masking element having an expanded configuration and a retracted configuration, andan expansion causing mechanism capable of expanding the masking element from the retracted configuration to the expanded configuration to cause the masking element to make contact with and mask an inner surface of the stent, wherein the expansion causing mechanism expands the masking element by supplying a gas or fluid into the masking element, wherein a coupling is disposed between the masking element and the expansion causing mechanism, the coupling enabling the masking element to rotate without having to rotate the expansion causing mechanism; and
applying a coating composition to the stent.
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Abstract
A stent mandrel fixture for supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is provided. A method supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is also provided.
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Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of coating a stent with a composition, the method comprising:
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positioning a stent on a support, the support comprising a masking element configured to be inserted through a bore of a stent, the masking element having an expanded configuration and a retracted configuration, and an expansion causing mechanism capable of expanding the masking element from the retracted configuration to the expanded configuration to cause the masking element to make contact with and mask an inner surface of the stent, wherein the expansion causing mechanism expands the masking element by supplying a gas or fluid into the masking element, wherein a coupling is disposed between the masking element and the expansion causing mechanism, the coupling enabling the masking element to rotate without having to rotate the expansion causing mechanism; and applying a coating composition to the stent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 5, 6, 12)
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3. A method of coating a stent with a composition, the method comprising:
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positioning a stent on a support, the support comprising a hollow tubular member configured to be inserted into a longitudinal bore of a stent, a rod extending through the tubular member, and a movable member on the rod, wherein tilting of the movable member in a first direction relative to the rod causes the tubular member to radially expand to support the stent during the application of a coating composition to the stent, and tilting of the movable member in a second direction relative to the rod causes the tubular member to radially contract to allow removal of the stent from the tubular member, wherein the tubular member is disposed between the movable member and a compression surface coupled to the rod, and tilting of the movable member in the first direction causes the tubular member to be axially compressed between the movable member and the compression surface; and applying a coating composition to the stent. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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4. A method of coating a stent with a composition, the method comprising:
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positioning a stent on a support, the support comprising a base, a compression surface, a support element having a proximal end disposed against the base, and a distal end disposed against the compression surface, the support element having an expanded configuration of being engaged with the stent and a reduced configuration of being disengaged from the stent, an expansion causing device configured to tilt relative to the base so as to move from a first tilt position to a second tilt position, the first tilt position corresponding to the expanded configuration of the support element, the second tilt position corresponding to the reduced configuration of the support element, and a movable member coupled to the compression surface, the movable member coupled to the base by the expansion causing device such that tilting of the expansion causing device causes the movable member to move relative to the base, wherein the support element is disposed within a space between the compression surface and the base, tilting of the expansion causing device toward the first tilt position causes a decrease in size of the space, and tilting of the expansion causing device toward the second tilt position causes an increase in size of the space; and applying a coating composition to the stent. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification