US6368658B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Coating medical devices using air suspension
Assignee: Boston Scientific Corp
•
Filing: 2000-04-17
•
Granted: 2002-04-09
•
Expires: 2020-04-17
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatuses for coating medical devices and the devices thereby produced are disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention includes a method comprising the steps of suspending the medical device in an air stream and introducing a coating material into the air stream such that the coating material is dispersed therein and coats at least a portion of the medical device. In another embodiment, the medical devices are suspended in an air stream and a coating apparatus coats at least a portion of the medical device with a coating material. The coating apparatus may include a device that utilizes any number of alternative coating techniques for coating the medical devices. This process is used to apply one or more coating materials, simultaneously or in sequence. In certain embodiments of the invention, the coating materials include therapeutic agents, polymers, sugars, waxes, or fats. By using air suspensions to coat medical devices, the methods of the present invention result in coatings having minimal defects and uniform thicknesses and mechanical properties. Further, the methods of the present invention are time efficient and cost effective because they facilitate the coating of numerous medical devices in a single batch, resulting in numerous medical device units containing substantially the same coating.
Inventors
- 👤 Marlene Schwarz
- 👤 Kathleen Miller
- 👤 Kalpana Kamath
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:57
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/28; A61L27/50; A61L27/54; A61L29/00; A61L29/08; A61L29/14; A61L29/16; A61L31/00; A61L31/08; A61L31/10; A61L31/14; A61L31/16; B; B05; B05B; B05B13/00; B05B13/02; B05B13/0221; B05B13/025; B05B13/0257; B05C; B05C13/00; B05D; B05D1/00; B05D1/18; B05D1/22; C; C23; C23C; C23C14/00; C23C14/22; C23C14/50; C23C16/00; C23C16/44; C23C16/458; A61L2300/00; A61L2300/20; A61L2300/252; A61L2300/258; A61L2300/60; A61L2300/606; A61L2300/608; A61L2420/00; A61L2420/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes ionization deposition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes ionization deposition.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes at least one of plasma treatment, plasma grafting or plasma deposition.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes at least one of plasma treatment, plasma grafting or plasma deposition.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes chemical vapor deposition.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes electrostatic deposition.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes electrostatic deposition.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes at least one of a microwave deposition, microwave polymerization, or microwave treatment process.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes at least one of a microwave deposition, microwave polymerization, or microwave treatment process.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes at least one of an ultraviolet deposition, ultraviolet polymerization, or ultraviolet treatment process.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes at least one of an ultraviolet deposition, ultraviolet polymerization, or ultraviolet treatment process.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes at least one of a visible light deposition, visible light polymerization, or visible light treatment process.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes at least one of a visible light deposition, visible light polymerization, or visible light treatment process.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes at least one of an electron-beam deposition, electron-beam polymerization, or electron-beam treatment process.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes at least one of an electron-beam deposition, electron-beam polymerization, or electron-beam treatment process.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes at least one of a thermal evaporation deposition, thermal evaporation polymerization, or thermal evaporation treatment process.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a first coating material includes at least one of a thermal evaporation deposition, thermal evaporation polymerization, or thermal evaporation treatment process.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said first coating material comprises a therapeutic agent.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said first coating material comprises a therapeutic agent.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein said first coating material further comprises a polymer, sugar, wax, or fat.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein said therapeutic agent is selected from the group consisting of pharmaceutically active compounds, proteins, oligonucleotides, DNA compacting agents, recombinant nucleic acids, gene/vector systems, and nucleic acids.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said first coating material comprises a polymer, sugar, wax, or fat.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
76 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said first coating material comprises a polymer, sugar, wax, or fat.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said first coating material further comprises a therapeutic agent.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said polymer is selected from the group consisting of polycarboxylic acids, cellulosic polymers, gelatin, proteins, polypeptides, polyvinylpyrrolidone, maleic anhydride polymers, polyamides, polyvinyl alcohols, polyethylene oxides, glycosaminoglycans, polysaccharides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polystyrenes, copolymers, silicones, polyorthoesters, polyanhydrides, copolymers of vinyl monomers, polycarbonates, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polylactic acids, polyglycolic acids, polycaprolactones, polyhydroxybutyrate valerates, polyacrylamides, polyethers, polyurethane dispersions, polyacrylates, acrylic latex dispersions, polyacrylic acid, mixtures and copolymers thereof, and monomers that are cross-linked or polymerized on said first coating material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein said first coating material further comprises a solvent in which said therapeutic agent is at least partially soluble.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein said first coating material further comprises a solvent in which said therapeutic agent is at least partially dispersed.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said first coating material further comprises a solvent in which said polymer, sugar, wax, or fat is at least partially soluble.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said first coating material further comprises a solvent in which said polymer, sugar, wax, or fat is at least partially dispersed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein said first coating material further comprises a solvent wherein said solvent is aqueous or non-aqueous.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a second coating material.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a second coating material.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with a second coating material includes the step of introducing said second coating material into said air stream such that said second coating material is dispersed therein.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with said second coating material is conducted after said step of coating a least a portion of said surface of said medical device with said first coating material is completed thereby providing an outer coating of said second coating material on said medical device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with said second coating material is conducted simultaneously with said step of coating a least a portion of said surface of said medical device with said first coating material.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said first coating material comprises apolymer, sugar, wax, or fat and said second coating material comprises a therapeutic agent.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with said second coating material is conducted after said step of coating a least a portion of said surface of said medical device with said first coating material is completed.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said step of coating at least a portion of said surface of said medical device with said second coating material is conducted simultaneously with said step of coating a least a portion of said surface of said medical device with said first coating material.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface wherein said medical device comprises a catheter; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface wherein said medical device comprises a catheter; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface wherein said medical device comprises a needle; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
71 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface wherein said medical device comprises a needle; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface wherein said medical device comprises a blood filter; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface wherein said medical device comprises a blood filter; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material; wherein said method is conducted in a fluid bed chamber.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
74 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material; wherein said method is conducted in a fluid bed chamber.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
89 words
The method of claim 31 wherein said chamber comprises: a structure having at least one side wall, a top opening, and a bottom opening; an air distribution plate within said structure and secured to said side wall at a location between said top and bottom openings of said structure; wherein said air distribution plate has openings therein to allow a passage of air therethrough, said openings being smaller than said medical device; and said air distribution plate defines a coating region above said air distribution plate within said structure.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
10 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said structure is cylindrical.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said air distribution plate has an open area of about 4 to about 30 percent.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said air distribution plate comprises a metal screen of about 60 to about 325 mesh.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said air distribution plate comprises a stationary perforated metal or ceramic plate.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said air distribution plate comprises a rotatable perforated metal or ceramic plate.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said air stream passes through said air distribution plate into said coating region.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method of claim 32 wherein said chamber further comprises: a tubular partition within said coating region, said tubular partition having a longitudinal axis substantially concentric with a longitudinal axis of said structure; a nozzle positioned beneath said tubular partition substantially along said longitudinal axis of said structure and extending into said coating region, said nozzle injecting said air stream into said tubular partition; and a second air stream passing through said air distribution plate into said coating region.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 32 wherein a velocity of said first air stream is greater than a velocity of said second air stream.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 40 wherein when said medical device is in said chamber, said first air stream pushes said medical device upward through said tubular partition, and said medical device falls downward outside of said tubular partition and through said second air stream.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said first coating material includes a powder or solid without a solvent.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said first coating material includes a powder or solid without a solvent.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface wherein said medical device comprises a stent; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said first coating material comprises a therapeutic agent.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
80 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface wherein said medical device comprises a stent; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said first coating material comprises a therapeutic agent.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface wherein said medical device comprises a stent; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said first coating material comprises a therapeutic agent and a polymer.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for coating at least a portion of a medical device for placement into a body lumen of a patient, comprising: providing a medical device having a surface wherein said medical device comprises a stent; suspending said medical device in an air stream, said air stream substantially devoid of suspending particles; and coating at least a portion of said surface of said suspended medical device with a first coating material, wherein said first coating material comprises a therapeutic agent and a polymer.
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| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-08 | 2013-10-08 | 2014-04-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |