Automated electropolishing process

Abstract

An electropolishing system including an anode, a cathode, a rolling block and a motion controller. The anode is configured to removably retain a metal device to be electropolished, and may be formed as a bar made from a solid cylindrical piece of metal or other configurations, such as wires with hooks. The anode transfers the electricity to the metal device while grooming the surface of the metal device as it contacts the rolling block. The cathode may be configured as a mesh and completes the electrical circuit. The rolling block is formed from a relatively smooth, solid material and positioned so as to allow the metal device to roll against the surface of the block. The motion controller is configured to provide vertical and horizontal movement of the anode and metal device, using force transducers to control the compression of the metal device against the rolling block.

1 . A system for electropolishing a metal device, comprising:
 a reservoir for retaining an electrolyte solution;   a cathode subassembly disposed in the reservoir;   a roller plate disposed in the reservoir;   an anode disposed between the cathode subassembly and the roller plate, the anode being configured to removably retain at least one metal device and being operably connected to a positioning subassembly.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the positioning subassembly includes at least one force transducer and a vertical controller for position the anode proximate the roller plate. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the positioning subassembly includes a longitudinal controller for positioning the anode along the length of the roller plate. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a stent removably secured to the anode. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the anode is configured to removably retain at least two stents. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a second cathode formed from a mesh, the second cathode being disposed with a lumen of the metal device and being connected to a source of electricity. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a second cathode formed from a rod, the second cathode being disposed with a lumen of the metal device and being connected to a source of electricity. 
     
     
         8 . A system for electropolishing a medical device, comprising:
 a reservoir for retaining an electrolyte solution;   a cathode subassembly disposed in the reservoir;   a roller plate disposed in the reservoir and configured as an anode; and   a non-conducting rod disposed between the cathode subassembly and the roller plate, the non-conducting rod being configured to removably retain at least one metal device and being operably connected to a positioning subassembly.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the positioning subassembly includes at last one force transducer, a vertical controller for contacting the metal device with the roller plate and a longitudinal controller for positioning the anode along the length of the roller plate. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further including a stent removably secured to the non-conducting rod. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus for use in electropolishing a device, comprising:
 a first wire having a proximal end connected to an electrical source and a distal end configured to contact a medical device; and   a second wire having a proximal end connected to an electrical source and a distal end configured to contact the medical device.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the distal end of the first wire is configured with a hook for removably retaining the medical device and the distal end of the second wire is configured with a hook for removably retaining the medical device. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first wire and the second wire are configured to contact and removably retain a stent. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for use in electropolishing a device, comprising:
 an electrically conducting mandrel having a proximal end connected to an electrical source and a distal end configured to contact a medical device on at least two contact points on the medical device; and   a non-conducting mandrel for removably retaining the medical device.   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the distal end of the electrically conducting mandrel is configured with a hook for contacting the medical device. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the electrically conducting mandrel is configured to contact and removably retain a stent.