Stent Coating Method And Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus includes a mandrel for supporting a stent during a composition deposition process. The mandrel includes an elongated body for insertion into a longitudinal bore of a stent. The body comprises carbide.

1 . A mandrel for supporting a stent during a composition deposition process, comprising:
 an elongated body for insertion into a longitudinal bore of a stent, the body comprises carbide.   
   
   
       2 . The mandrel of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body does not bend. 
   
   
       3 . The mandrel of  claim 1 , wherein the mandrel comprises a dark color to facilitate imaging of a light-colored stent. 
   
   
       4 . The mandrel of  claim 1 , wherein the mandrel comprises a black color to facilitate imaging of a light-colored stent. 
   
   
       5 . The mandrel of  claim 1 , wherein the mandrel comprises a light color to facilitate imaging of a dark-colored stent. 
   
   
       6 . The mandrel of  claim 1 , wherein the mandrel comprises a white color to facilitate imaging of a dark-colored stent. 
   
   
       7 . The mandrel of  claim 1 , additionally comprising a Teflon coating on the carbide body. 
   
   
       8 . The mandrel of  claim 1 , additionally comprising a Teflon jacket heat shrunk on the carbide body. 
   
   
       9 . The mandrel of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body includes circular protrusions, each protrusion being located at a ring position of the stent. 
   
   
       10 . A method of depositing a substance on a stent, comprising:
 (a) positioning the stent on the mandrel of  claim 1 ;   (b) depositing a substance on the stent.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , additionally comprising imaging the stent or the substance being deposited, wherein the stent in light-colored and the elongated body is dark-colored or black. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , additionally comprising imaging the stent or the substance being deposited, wherein the stent in dark-colored and the elongated body is light-colored or white. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the elongated body does not bend.