Stent coating apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for coating stent is disclosed. The apparatus can be used to coat multiple stents or a large number of stents simultaneously. The apparatus includes a chamber that can be rotated or tumbled during the application of a coating substance to the stents.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A large-scale stent coating apparatus, comprising 
 a chamber to hold a multitude of stents, the chamber being configured to agitate so as to shake the stents within the chamber; and    an applicator for depositing a coating substance into the chamber for coating the stents.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , additionally comprising means for applying a gas into the chamber.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , additionally comprising means for drying the coating applied to the stents within the chamber.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , additionally comprising means for applying a gas at a temperature of 15 deg. C to 200 deg. C into the chamber.  
     
     
         5 . A large-scale stent coating apparatus, comprising 
 a chamber for holding a large number of stents, the chamber being configured to shake so as to tumble the stents by the shaking motion of the chamber;    an applicator for depositing a coating substance into the chamber for coating the stents.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , additionally comprising a nozzle for applying a gas into the chamber.  
     
     
         7 . A large-scale stent coating apparatus, comprising 
 a chamber configured to hold a multitude of stents, the chamber being configured to rotate about an axis that is parallel to the horizontal plane so as to tumble the stents in the chamber; and    an applicator for depositing a coating substance into the chamber for coating the stents.    
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the chamber is configured to rotate between 5 to 400 rpm.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , additionally including means for blowing a gas into the chamber.