Removing a solvent from a drug-eluting coating

摘要

A coating device for coating a medical device with a drug-eluting material uses an in-process drying station between coats to improve a drug release profile. The drying station includes a heat nozzle configured for applying a uniform drying gas.

主权项

1. A stent coating method, comprising the steps of:
applying a coating to the stent; and then drying the coated stent using a drying nozzle, including the steps of disposing the coated stent proximal an exit of the nozzle; and at least partially drying the stent with a gas forced through the nozzle, including the steps of decelerating the gas received through a nozzle inlet, the nozzle inlet being upstream of the exit, mixing the decelerated gas including forcing the gas through a first diffuser disposed proximal the inlet and distal the exit, accelerating the gas downstream of the first diffuser, and then forcing the accelerated gas through a second diffuser disposed at the exit; wherein the gas downstream of the exit has a substantially uniform temperature and velocity over the length of the stent.