Abstract:
A multiple stent structure including a plurality of stent bodies arranged end to end in which adjacent stent bodies of the structure are connected by a severable connecting portion disposed between the adjacent stent bodies is disclosed. A method of coating a plurality of stents including depositing a coating on the multiple stent structure and severing the severable connecting portions to disconnect the plurality of stent bodies is disclosed.
Abstract:
A coating apparatus for forming a thin UV curable resin coating on the outer and/or inner surface(11A,11B) of a threaded end portion of a steel pipe(11) constituting a pin or box of a threaded joint for steel pipes comprises a steel pipe(11) support means(14) which supports the steel pipe(11) while rotating it about its longitudinal axis, a first spraying unit(1) having at least two nozzles(1a,1b) adapted to spray a UV curable resin coating composition by pneumatic atomization toward the outer or inner surface(11A,11B) of the threaded end portion of a steel pipe(11), a UV curable resin supply system for supplying the UV curable resin coating composition from a storage tank(21) to each nozzle(1a,1b) of the first spraying unit(1), and a first nozzle support means(3,5,7,9,15) which supports each nozzle(1a,1b) of the first spraying unit(1) so as to be movable in the axial direction of the steel pipe(11) and in the vertical direction. The two nozzles (1a,1b) are disposed at different positions at least in the axial direction of the steel pipe(11) at angles which are sloped such that the sprayed streams from the nozzles(1a,1b) approach each other. By using this coating apparatus, it is possible to form a UV cured resin coating on the outer or inner surface of a threaded end portion of a steel pipe with a uniform thickness.
Abstract:
A method of coating an implantable medical device (10) with a fluid dispensed from a jet nozzle (45) is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: determining a desired surface area of coating for the device; defining a set of discreet points within the desired surface area; dispensing a charge of liquid from the jet nozzle (45) towards a first of the points; driving the jig (30) or the jet nozzle (45), or both the jig (30) and the jet nozzle (45) into another relative position and orientation adjacent to another of the points; dispensing a charge of liquid towards said another of the points; and repeating the above two steps until a desired coating is achieved. The method may also include the feedback steps of: capturing images of portions of the desired surface area of coating on which a charge or charges of fluid have been dispensed; analysing the images; and modifying at least one of the above steps of driving or dispensing based on the analysis of the images, thereby improving the coating.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method is provided to allow higher volume production of medical devices and to minimize coating defects resulting from manual handling of medical devices by supporting multiple medical devices at the same time and performing one or more process steps automatically.
Abstract:
In a method of measuring the thickness of a coating as it is applied to a substrate, wherein the coating is applied as a thin ribbon from a spray gun, at least one surface profile of the applied coating is obtained along a line intersecting the ribbon during relative movement of the substrate and spray gun. The thickness of the applied coating is computed from the obtained surface profile.
Abstract:
A paint application facility (14) including a paint booth assembly (28) for applying paint to automotive vehicles (12) each defining a longitudinal axis includes a carrier (56) adapted to serially move a plurality of automotive vehicles through the booth assembly in a direction generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (18) of the vehicle.
Abstract:
A method and device for coating stents by uniformly encapsulating the struts of the stent. The stent is not contacted by the applicator, and the coating material is allowed to flow around the stent strut for full encapsulation, even when application of coating material occurs on only one surface of the stent.
Abstract:
The present invention is a method and device, which is suitable for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device (2), for example a stent. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent(2) deployed on a catheter balloon. The device is configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of a stent (2) only. This is done by use of a drop-on-demand ink-jet (3a-3c) printing system in association with an optical scanning device (32a, 32b). The device is further configured so as to, if necessary, apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness. The section of the housing in which the stent (2) is held during the coating procedure is detachable from the housing base. The detachable housing section may be easily cleaned and re-sterilized or simply disposed of.
Abstract:
A system and method is disclosed for applying polyurethane (74) to a roll (62) that is primarily used in the papermaking industry. One advantage of the present system and method is that the polyurethane (74) may be applied to the roll (64) in one pass of a traversing mechanism (64) along the length of the roll (64) while the roll (64) rotates, thus significantly decreasing processing time of the roll (64).