Method and apparatus for polymer application to intracorporeal device
US6695915B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 2002 |
| Grant date | Feb 24, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 15, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2025/09108
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for applying a polymer coating on an elongated substrate, preferably an elongate intracorporeal device in the form of a guidewire. An extrudable polymer cartridge is moved by a cartridge advancement mechanism into a guide chamber which is heated at an end with a die or orifice through which a desired portion of a guidewire may pass and be coated. Parameters such as guide chamber temperature, pull speed and force exerted by the cartridge advancement mechanism may be controlled with a computer program in order to achieve repeatable results. The guide chamber, extrudable polymer cartridge, die, and push tube may all be made from polymer components which can be reused or disposed of after a single use. The extrudable polymer cartridge may have a variety of configurations including multiple layers of different materials, eccentric shapes, multiple lumens for multiple elements to be drawn through and coated and asymmetric disposition of different materials with respect to the longitudinal axis as viewed in a transverse cross section which can give bending properties having a preferred direction in the coated guidewire or device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.