Coating medical devices
US7247338B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 21, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jul 24, 2007 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 29, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB05D1/045
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Methods and systems for coating at least a portion of a medical device (e.g., a stent structure) include providing a plurality of coating particles (e.g., monodisperse coating particles) in a defined volume. For example, the particles may be provided using one or more nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure includes at least one opening terminating at a dispensing end. The plurality of coating particles may be provided in the defined volume by dispensing a plurality of microdroplets having an electrical charge associated therewith from the dispensing ends of the one or more nozzle structures through use of a nonuniform electrical field between the dispensing ends and the medical device. Electrical charge is concentrated on the particle as the microdroplet evaporates. With a plurality of coating particles provided in the defined volume, such particles can be moved towards at least one surface of the medical device to form a coating thereon (e.g., using an electric field and/or a thermophoretic effect).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.