Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A process for coating a surface of a stent, the stent having a plurality of longitudinal openings therethrough, the process including the steps of: a) immersing said stent within a coating agent in a container; b) placing the container in an ultrasonic bath and subjecting said stent and coating agent within the container to ultrasonic energy; c) said stent swirling within said coating agent when subjected to ultrasonic energy, said stent being coated with said coating agent with said longitudinal openings left uncoated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A process for coating a surface of a stent, the stent having a plurality of longitudinal openings therethrough, the process including the steps of: a) immersing said stent within a coating agent in a container; b) placing the container in an ultrasonic bath and subjecting said stent and coating agent within the container to ultrasonic energy; c) said stent swirling within said coating agent when subjected to ultrasonic energy, said stent being coated with said coating agent with said longitudinal openings left uncoated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said coating agent is selected from the group consisting of heparin, EDGF and VGFs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said coating agent is selected from the group consisting of silicone, polyurethane and polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 1, further including the step, prior to said immersing step, of placing said stent in a bath of deionized water and boiling said water for twenty minutes to forty-five minutes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 4, wherein, after said placing and boiling steps, including the step of drying said stent in a nitrogen-purged atmosphere for eight to twelve hours.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 5, further including the step, after said drying step, of bathing said stent in a surfactant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 6, wherein said surfactant comprises a long chain alkyl quaternary salt of at least 12 C atoms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1, prior to said immersing step, including the step of electro-polishing said stent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
139 words
A process for coating a surface of a stent, the stent having a plurality of openings therethrough, the process including the steps of: a) electro-polishing said stent; b) placing said stent in a bath of deionized water and boiling said water for twenty minutes to forty-five minutes; c) drying said stent in a nitrogen-purged atmosphere for eight to twelve hours; d) bathing said stent in a surfactant comprising a long chain alkyl quaternary salt of at least 12 C atoms; e) immersing said stent within a coating agent selected from the group consisting of heparin, EDGF, VGFs, silicone, polyurethane and polytetrafluoroethylene; f) subjecting said stent and coating agent to ultrasonic energy, said stent swirling within said coating agent and being coated with said coating agent with said openings left uncoated; and g) drying said stent in a controlled atmosphere.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
139 words
A process for coating a surface of a stent, the stent having a plurality of openings therethrough, the process including the steps of: a) electro-polishing said stent; b) placing said stent in a bath of deionized water and boiling said water for twenty minutes to forty-five minutes; c) drying said stent in a nitrogen-purged atmosphere for eight to twelve hours; d) bathing said stent in a surfactant comprising a long chain alkyl quaternary salt of at least 12 C atoms; e) immersing said stent within a coating agent selected from the group consisting of heparin, EDGF, VGFs, silicone, polyurethane and polytetrafluoroethylene; f) subjecting said stent and coating agent to ultrasonic energy, said stent swirling within said coating agent and being coated with said coating agent with said openings left uncoated; and g) drying said stent in a controlled atmosphere.