Method and apparatus for coating balloon catheters

摘要

A coating apparatus for coating the balloon portion of a balloon catheter is described. The coating apparatus includes a rotatable member in which the catheter portion of the balloon catheter is mounted and fixed, and which causes rotation of the balloon catheter. The apparatus also includes a support member in which the distal tip of the catheter is inserted and free to rotate; and a spray nozzle directing sprayed material on the balloon surface. The inventive configuration of the coating apparatus allows the balloon catheter to be rotated along its axis with insubstantial or no wobble, which significantly improves the quality of the coating applied to the surface of the balloon.

主权项

1. An apparatus for coating a balloon catheter, the apparatus comprising:
(a) a rotatable member comprising an elongated shape with a distal end and a proximal end, a central axis about which the rotatable member can be rotated and which is configured to accommodate and fix a catheter body of a balloon catheter having a catheter axis so the central axis is aligned with the catheter axis and so the catheter body can be rotated about its catheter axis from a catheter body proximal end to a catheter body distal end; (b) a support member, which is aligned with the central axis of the rotatable member, comprising an orifice or aperture into which a distal tip of the balloon catheter can be placed and which is configured to hold and allow rotation of the distal tip of the balloon catheter when the catheter body of the balloon catheter is fixed and rotated in the rotatable member, and wherein the distal end of the rotatable member is separated from the support member by a gap; and (c) an inkjet nozzle capable of delivering a coating material in the gap between the distal end of the rotatable member and the support member.