Method of surface coating medical implants

US6214407A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• CO.DON AG · DE

Inventors

• Horst Laube · Berlin, DE
• Erika Nickel · Berlin, DE
• Martin Matthaeus · Berlin, DE
• Helmut Willenbockel · Schneverdingen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 2, 1999
• Grant date: Apr 10, 2001
• Expiry date: Nov 2, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC A): Human Necessities
• CPC primary: A61L27/507
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

To coat a surface of a medical implant such as an organ part or a synthetic prosthesis with a coating of living cells, the implant is inserted and fixed into a receiving container which is at least partially filled with a nutritive liquid medium containing the coating cells in suspension. Then the receiving container is rotated respectively about two distinct rotation axes, whereby preferably the two rotation motions are independently controllable and the two axes are substantially perpendicular to each other. Each of the two rotation motions can be a continuous rotation through 360.degree., or a stepwise intermittent rotation through successive rotational angle steps. The parameters of the two rotations about the two axes can be combined as needed for a particular application, for example a continuous rotation about one axis combined with a stepwise rotation about the other axis. The time period and rotational speed of each rotation can also be independently controlled. A uniform and complete coating of cells on all surfaces of the implant is achieved.