Multi-purpose holding device

Abstract

This invention relates to a multi-purpose holding device to handle, support and rotate one or more hollow cylindrical objects. The holding device consists of a rigid frame and support members for precise alignment and rotation of one or more objects within the frame structure. A method is also provided to reproducibly support, rotate and inspect the hollow cylindrical objects.

1 . A holding device for handling, securing and rotating one or more hollow cylindrical objects comprising:
 a frame; and   at least two support members being coupled to the frame and in contact with at least a portion of the hollow cylindrical object,   
       wherein
 the support members have a first position of being engaged with the hollow cylindrical object at two opposing sides to secure the hollow cylindrical object; 
 the support members can be rotated in relation to the frame to rotate the hollow cylindrical object; and 
 at least one support member has a second position of being disengaged from the hollow cylindrical object. 
 
     
     
         2 . The holding device according to  claim 1 , wherein in the first position the support members contact the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical object. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The holding device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the support members comprises a polygon cross-section. 
     
     
         5 . The holding device according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more shafts being rotably mounted to the frame in order to transmit rotary motion to one or more support members. 
     
     
         6 . The holding device according to  claim 1 , further comprising sleeves being rotably mounted to the frame wherein in a first position the support member is coupled to the sleeve to transmit rotary motion and in a second position the support member is uncoupled from the sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . The holding device according to  claim 1 , further comprising members to transmit rotary motion between the shaft and the support member. 
     
     
         8 . A holding device according to  claim 1 , wherein the support members are rotably mounted at a predetermined position to the frame and include a first member having a flexible and sheet-like structure, a second member and a third member,
 wherein
 the second member is connected to the first member and comprises an aperture for receiving the third member; 
 and in said a first position the third member is located within the inner hollow section of the hollow cylindrical object to expand the first member so that the resulting surface of the first member contacts the hollow cylindrical object and 
 in said a second position at least one of the third members is located outside the hollow section of the hollow cylindrical object and the first member is retracted and not in contact with the hollow cylindrical object. 
   
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A holding device according  claim 1 , wherein the support members include a coil spring and a shaft to which the coil spring is connected,
 wherein
 in said first position the coil spring is engaged with the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical object, the hollow cylindrical object is securely held at two opposing sides and the support members can be rotated in relation to the frame to rotate the hollow cylindrical object; and 
 in said second position the coil spring can pass through the inner diameter of the hollow cylindrical object to allow dismounting of the hollow cylindrical object. 
   
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method for securing and applying rotary motion to one or more hollow cylindrical objects, using a holding device including a frame and at least two opposing support members being coaxially arranged, coupled to the frame, and rotable in relation to said frame, comprising the steps of:
 locating at least one support member in a first position in which the distance between the support members is larger than the length of the hollow cylindrical object;   positioning a hollow cylindrical object therebetween;   locating at least one support member at a second position in which the distance between the support members is smaller than the length of the hollow cylindrical object to repeatably secure the hollow cylindrical object; and   transmitting rotary motion to at least one member to rotate one or more hollow cylindrical object.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of applying a coating to one or more hollow cylindrical objects. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of positioning the holding device so that one or more sections of the holding device are in contact with one or more securing members. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of moving the holding device along the securing members. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus comprising the holding device according to  claim 1  and one or more securing members,
 wherein
 the frame of the holding device is secured in an angular position; and 
 the hollow cylindrical object can be rotated in relation to the frame by applying rotary motion to at least one of the rotably mounted members. 
   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , further comprising at least one inspection device wherein the holding device can be moved along the securing members to allow positioning of the hollow cylindrical objects in relation to one or more inspection devices. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , further comprising at least one motion unit to transmit rotary and linear motion to the holding device in order to rotate and translate the hollow cylindrical objects. 
     
     
         22 . A holding device for handling, securing and rotating at least one medical device, comprising:
 a frame and at least one support member contacting at least a portion of the medical device,   
       wherein
 the support member is coupled to the frame and is engaged with the medical device and the medical device is securely held 
 and 
 
       the support member can be rotated in relation to the frame to rotate the medical device. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow cylindrical object is a stent. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , further comprising a coating applicator. 
     
     
         25 . The holding device according  claim 1 , wherein several hollow cylindrical objects are precisely aligned, rotated and coated whereby coating defects are minimized. 
     
     
         26 . The holding device according  claim 1 , wherein the position of the support members is determined by lock members. 
     
     
         27 . The holding device according  claim 6 , wherein the support members are magnetically coupled to the sleeves. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the medical device is a stent. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the holding device can be moved along the securing members to apply linear motion to the hollow cylindrical objects.