Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080307668 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR DRYING COATED STENTS - Various embodiments of methods and devices for drying coated stents in an oven are described herein. | 12-18-2008 |
20080311280 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR COATING STENTS - Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein. | 12-18-2008 |
20080311281 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COATING A STENT - A system for coating a stent includes a device for weighing a stent, a device for aligning the stent with a stent support, a device for coating the stent, a device for drying the stent, and a device for inspecting the stent. | 12-18-2008 |
20080312747 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE INSPECTION OF CYLINDERS - A system for inspecting cylinders according to various aspects of the present invention generally includes a roller assembly comprising a plurality of rollers configured to hold the cylinder. A light source illuminates the cylinder and a camera produces an image of at least a portion of the cylinder as the roller assembly rotates the cylinder about its longitudinal axis. A computer system is configured to control the roller assembly, light source, and camera and analyze the image to identify a defect associated with the cylinder. | 12-18-2008 |
20080312869 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR WEIGHING A STENT - An apparatus for weighing a stent includes a buffer for storing a stent support with a stent mounted thereon, a stent mounting and dismounting assembly that mounts and dismounts the stent from the stent support, a robotic arm for moving the stent support with the stent between the buffer and the stent mounting and dismounting assembly, and a scale assembly for weighing the stent. The stent mounting and dismounting assembly moves the stent into the scale assembly after the stent has been dismount from the stent support. | 12-18-2008 |
20090035449 | Methods and Apparatus for Coating Stents - Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein. | 02-05-2009 |
20090320261 | Method and Device for Aligning a Stent with a Stent Support - A method for aligning a stent with a stent support includes the steps of (1) placing a stent support and a stent mounted on the stent support in a vertically position with the stent support's first support element at a lower position and the stent support's second support element at an upper position; (2) obtaining a digital image of the stent support and stent; (3) analyzing the digital image of the stent support and stent to compute the vertical position of the stent's upper end; (4) computing a desired position of the second support element based on the position of the stent's upper end; and (5) using a positioning device to move the second support element to the desired position. The movement of the second support element causes the conical sections of the first and second support elements to engage the respective ends of the stent to center the stent around a core element of the stent support and to secure the stent in a longitudinal direction of the stent support. | 12-31-2009 |
20100092655 | Clamp Mandrel Fixture And A Method Of Using The Same To Minimize Coating Defects - A mounting assembly for supporting a stent and a method of using the same to coat a stent is disclosed. | 04-15-2010 |
20100183799 | Stent Coating Method And Apparatus - An apparatus includes a mandrel for supporting a stent during a composition deposition process. The mandrel includes an elongated body for insertion into a longitudinal bore of a stent. The body comprises carbide. | 07-22-2010 |
20100323093 | Method of Drying Bioabsorbable Coating Over Stents - Various embodiments of methods for coating stents are described herein. Applying a composition including polymer component and solvent to a stent substrate followed by exposing the polymer component to a temperature equal to or greater than a Tg of the polymer component is disclosed. Repeating the applying and exposing one or more times to form a coating with the result that the solvent content of the coating after the final exposing step is at a level suitable for a finished stent is further disclosed. | 12-23-2010 |
20110007147 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR THE INSPECTION OF STENTS - A system and method for inspecting stents can involve an inspection camera to take an image of the stent and a computer system for analyzing the image to determine the presence of any coating defects. The determination can be made by masking out a portion of the stent, identifying deviations from a strut edge, and/or highlighting features protruding from a stent external boundary defining an outer diameter. The image can be taken after a focus feedback camera determines the position of the stent. | 01-13-2011 |
20110040394 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ALIGNING A STENT WITH A STENT SUPPORT - A system and method of aligning a stent with a stent support involves taking two images of the stent that has been placed on the stent support and determining from the two images whether the stent is aligned with the stent support. The stent can be rotated so that the two images are of different views of the stent. A computer can be configured to receive the images and to determine the whether the stent is aligned. A backlight can be used to take images of the stent in silhouette. A portion of the stent support can be re-positioned based on an image taken of the stent. | 02-17-2011 |
20110148130 | Method and Apparatus for Weighing a Stent - An apparatus for weighing a stent includes a buffer for storing a stent support with a stent mounted thereon, a stent mounting and dismounting assembly that mounts and dismounts the stent from the stent support, a robotic arm for moving the stent support with the stent between the buffer and the stent mounting and dismounting assembly, and a scale assembly for weighing the stent. The stent mounting and dismounting assembly moves the stent into the scale assembly after the stent has been dismount from the stent support. | 06-23-2011 |
20110217450 | Method for Coating Stents - A method for coating a stent can involve a device having a drying zone, a spray zone, and movable member for positioning a stent in the drying zone and another stent in the spray zone. Each stent can be on a support. A force can be applied to the outside surface of a stent to prevent rotation of the stent with respect to the support. | 09-08-2011 |
20110239939 | STENT COATING APPARATUS USING FOCUSED ACOUSTIC ENERGY - An apparatus for coating a stent includes an optical feedback system used to align a transducer with a stent strut. Once alignment is achieved, the transducer causes a coating to be ejected onto the stent strut and the transducer is moved along the stent strut to coat the stent strut. | 10-06-2011 |
20110244112 | STENT COATING METHOD - A stent is coated by ejecting droplets of a coating substance from a reservoir containing a coating substance. A reservoir housing can have a plurality of reservoir compartments. A transducer is used to eject the coating substance from the reservoir. Energy from the transducer is focused at a meniscus or an interface between the coating substance and another coating substance in the reservoir. | 10-06-2011 |
20110268867 | ROTATABLE SUPPORT ELEMENTS FOR STENTS - Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein. | 11-03-2011 |
20110271904 | ROTATABLE SUPPORT ELEMENTS FOR STENTS - Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein. | 11-10-2011 |
20110274822 | ROTATABLE SUPPORT ELEMENTS FOR STENTS - Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein. | 11-10-2011 |
20120009326 | ROTATABLE SUPPORT ELEMENTS FOR STENTS - Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein. | 01-12-2012 |
20120010693 | Mounting Stents On Stent Delivery Systems - A system for mounting a stent on a balloon catheter includes two positioning and alignment stations, which are used to prepare a stent and catheter for crimping using the same crimping head. The system is configured for automated assembly of the stent and catheter prior to crimping. A catheter and stent are placed on a computer-controlled carriage that delivers the stent and catheter to the crimper head. Before placing the stent and catheter into the crimper head, an automated alignment system locates the stent between balloon markers. | 01-12-2012 |
20120012053 | ROTATABLE SUPPORT ELEMENTS FOR STENTS - Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein. | 01-19-2012 |
20120013732 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INSPECTION OF STENTS - A system and method for inspecting stents can involve an inspection camera to take an image of the stent and a computer system for analyzing the image to determine the presence of any coating defects. The determination can be made by masking out a portion of the stent, identifying deviations from a strut edge, and/or highlighting features protruding from a stent external boundary defining an outer diameter. The image can be taken after a focus feedback camera determines the position of the stent. | 01-19-2012 |
20120097094 | System for Coating a Stent - A system for forming a coating on a stent has a hub for holding a plurality of cartridges. Each cartridge has a plurality of mandrels, each mandrel capable of supporting a stent. A chamber has a drying section and a spray coating section, and is configured to receive a cartridge from the hub. An arm moves a cartridge from the hub to the chamber. A spray applicator applies a coating composition to a stent in the spray coating section. | 04-26-2012 |
20130064966 | Method and Apparatus for Coating a Stent - A method of coating a stent comprises contacting a first axial portion of a stent with a support element, such that a second axial portion does not contact the support element or any other support element, applying a coating material to the second axial portion, and inhibiting or preventing application of the coating material on the first axial portion. A shuttle sheath can be used to push the stent off the support element. | 03-14-2013 |
20130149432 | METHOD FOR FORMING A COATING ON A STENT - A stent has first and second members. The stent is supported by a mandrel in a first position such that the mandrel is in contact with the first member and the second member is spaced from the mandrel. A method for coating the stent includes spraying or drying the stent, placing the stent in a second position such that the first member is spaced from the mandrel and the second member is placed in contact with the mandrel, and spraying or drying the stent while the stent is supported by the mandrel in the second position. | 06-13-2013 |
20130230639 | ROTATABLE SUPPORT ELEMENTS FOR STENTS - Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein. The method includes applying a coating composition to the stent; rotating the stent with a rotatable element supporting at least a portion of the stent; and applying at least one pulse to the rotatable element during the stent coating process. | 09-05-2013 |
20140057042 | Method for Coating and Drying Multiple Stents - A coating and drying apparatus for the application of a coating substance to a stent and drying the stent is provided. | 02-27-2014 |
20140150282 | Device for Drying Coated Stents - Various embodiments of methods and devices for drying coated stents in an oven are described herein. | 06-05-2014 |
20140154400 | METHOD OF DRYING BIOABSORBABLE COATING OVER STENTS - Various embodiments of methods for coating stents are described herein. Applying a composition including polymer component and solvent to a stent substrate followed by exposing the polymer component to a temperature equal to or greater than a Tg of the polymer component is disclosed. Repeating the applying and exposing one or more times to form a coating with the result that the solvent content of the coating after the final exposing step is at a level suitable for a finished stent is further disclosed. | 06-05-2014 |
20140189994 | Post-Crimping Inspection of Scaffolds Mounted on Scaffold Delivery Systems - A system for mounting a scaffold on a balloon catheter includes two positioning and alignment stations, which are used to prepare a scaffold and catheter for crimping using the same crimping head. The system is configured for automated assembly of the scaffold and catheter prior to crimping and performing post-crimping inspection for the crimped scaffold and prior to placing a restraining sheath over the crimped scaffold. | 07-10-2014 |
20140230225 | MOUNTING STENTS ON STENT DELIVERY SYSTEMS - A system for mounting a stent on a balloon catheter includes two positioning and alignment stations, which are used to prepare a stent and catheter for crimping using the same crimping head. The system is configured for automated assembly of the stent and catheter prior to crimping. A catheter and stent are placed on a computer-controlled carriage that delivers the stent and catheter to the crimper head. Before placing the stent and catheter into the crimper head, an automated alignment system locates the stent between balloon markers. | 08-21-2014 |
20140299054 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR COATING STENTS - Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein. | 10-09-2014 |
20140377448 | METHOD FOR FORMING A COATING ON A STENT - Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein. | 12-25-2014 |