Stent catheter with a permanently affixed conductor

Abstract

A stent assembly is provided. A conductor which is permanently affixed to a catheter contacts a stent mounted on the catheter. Conductive ink applied to the catheter may be used as the conductor. A method of coating the stent is also provided. In the method, an electrical charge is applied to the conductor. The stent is then coated using an electrostatic coating process.

1 . A stent assembly, comprising: a catheter, and a stent mounted at a distal end of said catheter, wherein said catheter comprises a conductor contacting said stent and extending longitudinally along at least a portion of said catheter, said conductor being permanently affixed to said catheter.  
     
     
         2 . The stent assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said conductor comprises conductive ink applied to said catheter.  
     
     
         3 . The stent assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said conductive ink is applied by pad printing.  
     
     
         4 . The stent assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said conductor is one of silver-based, platinum-based, gold-based and copper-based.  
     
     
         5 . The stent assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a balloon located at said distal end of said catheter, said stent being mounted onto said balloon.  
     
     
         6 . The stent assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein said conductor extends along a portion of said balloon.  
     
     
         7 . The stent assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said stent is metallic.  
     
     
         8 . The stent assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said conductor contacts an inner surface of said stent.  
     
     
         9 . The stent assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said conductor is disposed on an outer surface of said catheter.  
     
     
         10 . The stent assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said stent is coated with an electrostatically applied coating.  
     
     
         11 . The stent assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said coating is a drug.  
     
     
         12 . The stent assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a balloon located at said distal end of said catheter, said stent being mounted onto said balloon; wherein said conductor comprises conductive ink applied to said catheter; said conductor is disposed on an outer surface of said catheter; said stent is metallic; and said stent is coated with an electrostatically applied coating.  
     
     
         13 . The stent assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein said conductive ink is applied by pad printing; said conductor extends along a portion of said balloon; and said conductor contacts an inner surface of said stent.  
     
     
         14 . The stent assembly according to  claim 13 , wherein said conductor is one of silver-based, platinum-based, gold-based and copper-based, and said coating is a drug.  
     
     
         15 . The stent assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said conductor comprises conductive ink applied to said catheter, and said conductor is disposed on an outer surface of said catheter.  
     
     
         16 . The stent assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising a balloon located at said distal end of said catheter, said stent being mounted onto said balloon; wherein said conductor comprises conductive ink applied to said catheter; said conductor is disposed on an outer surface of said catheter; and said conductor extends along a portion of said balloon.  
     
     
         17 . A method of coating a stent, comprising: 
 permanently affixing a conductor to a catheter, said conductor extending along a longitudinal portion of said catheter;    mounting a metallic stent on said catheter, wherein said metallic stent contacts said conductor;    electrically charging a coating material and dispensing said charged coating material in proximity to said metallic stent; and    applying an electrical charge to said conductor, wherein said charged coating material is attracted to said metallic stent, whereby said metallic stent is electrostatically coated with said coating material.    
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said conductor comprises conductive ink applied to said catheter, and said conductor is disposed on an outer surface of said catheter.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein a balloon is located at a distal end of said catheter, said stent being mounted onto said balloon, and said conductor extends along a portion of said balloon.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said conductive ink is applied by pad printing, and said conductor contacts an inner surface of said stent.