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 |
20080312728 | 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. | 12-18-2008 |
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 |
20090255827 | AUTOMATED ELECTROPOLISHING PROCESS - An electropolishing system including an anode, a cathode, a rolling block and a motion controller. The anode is configured to removably retain a metal device to be electropolished, and may be formed as a bar made from a solid cylindrical piece of metal or other configurations, such as wires with hooks. The anode transfers the electricity to the metal device while grooming the surface of the metal device as it contacts the rolling block. The cathode may be configured as a mesh and completes the electrical circuit. The rolling block is formed from a relatively smooth, solid material and positioned so as to allow the metal device to roll against the surface of the block. The motion controller is configured to provide vertical and horizontal movement of the anode and metal device, using force transducers to control the compression of the metal device against the rolling block. | 10-15-2009 |
20090317537 | Method and System for Selective Coating of Endoluminal Prostheses - A system and method for coating an endoprosthesis involves an applicator capable of delivering a coating substance to the endoprosthesis without spraying. The applicator may have a tube or die through which a coating substance is moved upwards by capillary action or by means of a pump so as to form an accumulation of the coating substance at an upper portion of the applicator. The endoprosthesis can be lowered onto the accumulation, then axially translated or rotated in order to transfer the coating substance to selected portions of the endoprosthesis. The applicator is lowered and/or the endoprosthesis is raised in order to form gaps in the coating. Selective coating of abluminal or luminal surface of the endoprosthesis may also be performed by allowing the surface to skip on a liquid surface of a pool of the coating substance. | 12-24-2009 |
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 |
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 |
20110281019 | Direct Fluid Coating Of Drug Eluting Balloon - A system and method for coating an expandable member of a medical device comprises providing a dispenser in fluid communication with a fluid source with the dispenser having at least one outlet to dispense fluid of the fluid source therefrom. The outlet(s) of the dispenser is positioned proximate a surface of an expandable member, with relative movement between the outlet(s) and the surface of the expandable member established along a coating path, and fluid is dispensed from the dispenser to form a substantially continuous bead of fluid between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member along the coating path, and simultaneously drying the fluid while dispensing the fluid from the dispenser to control flow of fluid on the surface of the expandable member. The fluid source can include a variety of therapeutic agents. | 11-17-2011 |
20110281020 | Maintaining A Fixed Distance During Coating Of Drug Coated Balloon - A system and method for coating an expandable member of a medical device comprising a support structure to support the expandable member and a dispenser positioned with at least one outlet proximate a surface of an expandable member. A drive assembly establishes relative movement between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member to apply fluid on the surface of the expandable member along a coating path. A guide maintains a substantially fixed distance between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member during relative movement therebetween by displacing the expandable member relative to the at least one outlet. | 11-17-2011 |
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 |
20120064141 | Drug-Coated Balloon With Location-Specific Plasma Treatment - Method of coating an expandable member, e.g. balloon, is provided, the method comprising providing an expandable member having an outer surface. The method includes a plasma treatment with a supply of gas performed on at least a portion of the outer surface of the expandable member. A therapeutic agent is applied on at least the plasma treated portion of the outer surface of the expandable member after the plasma treatment is performed. The plasma treatment can reduce the adhesion of therapeutic agent to the surface of the expandable member. A medical device made by the disclosed method is also provided. | 03-15-2012 |
20120165922 | METHOD OF MODIFYING A COATING ON A MEDICAL DEVICE - Method of modifying the coating of a surface of a medical device by applying a coating to the surface of the medical device, exposing the medical device to an environmental condition that alters the coating morphology, and drying the coating on the medical device. The disclosed subject matter also provides a coated medical device whose one or more surfaces have been modified by this method. | 06-28-2012 |
20120296313 | Drug Coated Balloon Hemostatic Valve Insertion/Balloon Sheath - Introducer sheath for use in inserting a balloon catheter into a patient's vasculature includes a tubular member having an inner diameter, an outer diameter, a proximal end, a distal end, and a length therebetween, the inner diameter being sized to receive a catheter shaft having an attached expandable member in a deflated condition. The inner diameter can be varied from a first inner diameter at the proximal end and a second inner diameter at the distal end, the first inner diameter being greater than the second inner diameter. A method of inserting a balloon catheter into the vasculature of a patient is also disclosed. Additionally, a balloon catheter kit including a catheter and an introducer sheath is disclosed. | 11-22-2012 |
20120315375 | Maintaining A Fixed Distance By Providing An Air Cushion During Coating Of A Medical Device - System and method for coating an expandable member of a medical device comprising a support structure to support the expandable member and an applicator positioned with at least one outlet proximate a surface of an expandable member. A drive assembly establishes relative movement between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member to apply fluid on the surface of the expandable member along a coating path. A positioning device maintains a substantially fixed distance between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member during relative movement therebetween by ejecting a pressurized medium against the surface of the expandable member. | 12-13-2012 |
20130008780 | AUTOMATED ELECTROPOLISHING PROCESS - An electropolishing system including an anode, a cathode, a rolling block and a motion controller. The anode is configured to removably retain a metal device to be electropolished, and may be formed as a bar made from a solid cylindrical piece of metal or other configurations, such as wires with hooks. The anode transfers the electricity to the metal device while grooming the surface of the metal device as it contacts the rolling block. The cathode may be configured as a mesh and completes the electrical circuit. The rolling block is formed from a relatively smooth, solid material and positioned so as to allow the metal device to roll against the surface of the block. The motion controller is configured to provide vertical and horizontal movement of the anode and metal device, using force transducers to control the compression of the metal device against the rolling block. | 01-10-2013 |
20130011545 | METHOD FOR SELECTIVE COATING OF ENDOLUMINAL PROSTHESES - A system and method for coating an endoprosthesis involves an applicator capable of delivering a coating substance to the endoprosthesis without spraying. The applicator may have a tube or die through which a coating substance is moved upwards by capillary action or by means of a pump so as to form an accumulation of the coating substance at an upper portion of the applicator. The endoprosthesis can be lowered onto the accumulation, then axially translated or rotated in order to transfer the coating substance to selected portions of the endoprosthesis. The applicator is lowered and/or the endoprosthesis is raised in order to form gaps in the coating. Selective coating of abluminal or luminal surface of the endoprosthesis may also be performed by allowing the surface to skip on a liquid surface of a pool of the coating substance. | 01-10-2013 |
20140072695 | DIRECT FLUID COATING OF DRUG ELUTING BALLOON - A system and method for coating an expandable member of a medical device comprises providing a dispenser in fluid communication with a fluid source with the dispenser having at least one outlet to dispense fluid of the fluid source therefrom. The outlet(s) of the dispenser is positioned proximate a surface of an expandable member, with relative movement between the outlet(s) and the surface of the expandable member established along a coating path, and fluid is dispensed from the dispenser to form a substantially continuous bead of fluid between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member along the coating path, and simultaneously drying the fluid while dispensing the fluid from the dispenser to control flow of fluid on the surface of the expandable member. The fluid source can include a variety of therapeutic agents. | 03-13-2014 |
20140076719 | ELECTROPOLISHING METHOD INCLUDING MULTI-FINGER CONTACTS - Systems and methods for electropolishing devices are disclosed. The electropolishing system includes electropolishing fixtures configured to reposition the devices during the electropolishing process. | 03-20-2014 |
20140076720 | ELECTROPOLISHING FIXTURE WITH LEVER ARM - An electropolishing system that includes electropolishing fixtures. The electropolishing fixtures include pendulum assemblies configured to establish electrical contact between a device being electropolished and an anode and to reposition the device during the electropolishing process. | 03-20-2014 |
20140076737 | ELECTROPOLISHING FIXTURE WITH PLUNGER MECHANISM - An electropolishing fixture with a plunger mechanism. The plunger mechanism can establish contact between a device and an anode mandrel during an electropolishing process while the device is immersed in an electrolytic bath. | 03-20-2014 |
20140076739 | ELECTROPOLISHING DEVICE AND METHOD - A device for repositioning a device during an electropolishing process. A fixture is disclosed that is configured to reposition the device during the electropolishing process in order to more evenly electropolish a surface of the device. | 03-20-2014 |
20140113059 | MAINTAINING A FIXED DISTANCE BY PROVIDING AN AIR CUSHION DURING COATING OF A MEDICAL DEVICE - System and method for coating an expandable member of a medical device comprising a support structure to support the expandable member and an applicator positioned with at least one outlet proximate a surface of an expandable member. A drive assembly establishes relative movement between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member to apply fluid on the surface of the expandable member along a coating path. A positioning device maintains a substantially fixed distance between the at least one outlet and the surface of the expandable member during relative movement therebetween by ejecting a pressurized medium against the surface of the expandable member. | 04-24-2014 |
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 |
20140299054 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR COATING STENTS - Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein. | 10-09-2014 |
20140360887 | ELECTROPOLISHING FIXTURE WITH PLUNGER MECHANISM - A method for electropolishing a medical device includes moving a plunger mechanism towards a side of the medical device to establish electrical contact between the medical device and an anode, the plunger mechanism moving transversely to a longitudinal axis of the medical device. Electropolishing the medical device following positioning the plunger mechanism and medical device and then removing the medical device and the anode from the electrolytic bath and unloading the medical device from the anode following electropolishing. | 12-11-2014 |