Stent coating device

Abstract

The present invention is a method and device, which is suitable for use in an operating theater just prior to implantation, for selectively applying a medical coating to an implantable medical device, for example a stent. Disclosed is a device for use with a stent deployed on a catheter balloon. The device is configured to apply a medical coating of a desired thickness to the surface of a stent only. This is done by use of a drop-on-demand ink-jet printing system in association with an optical scanning device. The device is further configured so as to, if necessary, apply a plurality of layered coats, each layered coat being of a different coating material, and if appropriate, different thickness. The section of the housing in which the stent is held during the coating procedure is detachable from the housing base. The detachable housing section may be easily cleaned and re-sterilized or simply disposed of.

1 - 52 . (canceled)  
   
   
       53 . A system for applying material to an object, the system comprising: 
 at least one material applicator;    at least one scanning device to optically scan the object, the at least one scanning device configured to produce scanning output indicative of a surface type of the object toward which the at least one material applicator is directed; and    a processing unit coupled to the at least one material applicator and the at least one scanning device to receive the scanning output,    wherein the processing unit is configured to activate the at least one material applicator when the received scanning output indicates that the at least one material applicator is aligned with substantially only a first surface type.    
   
   
       54 . The system as recited in  claim 53 , wherein: 
 the processing unit is configured to de-activate the material applicator when the received scanning output indicates that the at least one material applicator is not aligned with substantially only the first surface type.    
   
   
       55 . The system as recited in  claim 54 , wherein: 
 the first surface type is optically distinguishable from any another surface type of the object.    
   
   
       56 . The system as recited in  claim 53 , wherein: 
 the object is a catheter comprising a balloon portion on which a stent is deployed,    wherein the stent comprises the first surface type.    
   
   
       57 . The system as recited in  claim 56 , wherein no surface of the balloon portion is of the first surface type.  
   
   
       58 . A system for applying material to an object, the system comprising: 
 at least one scanning device to optically scan the object, the at least one scanning device configured to produce scanning output indicative of a surface type of the object toward which at least one material applicator is directed; and    a processing unit coupled to the at least one scanning device to receive the scanning output and configured to activate the at least one material applicator when the at least one material applicator is aligned with substantially only a surface type to which the material is to be applied.    
   
   
       59 . The system as recited in  claim 58 , wherein: 
 the processing unit is further configured to de-activate the at least one material applicator when it is determined that the at least one material applicator is not aligned with substantially only the surface type to which the material is to be applied.    
   
   
       60 . The system as recited in  claim 58 , wherein: 
 the object is a catheter comprising a balloon portion on which a stent is deployed,    wherein the stent comprises the surface type to which the material is to be applied.    
   
   
       61 . A system for applying material to an object, the system comprising: 
 a plurality of material applicators;    at least one scanning device to optically scan the object, the scanning device configured to produce scanning output indicative of a surface type of the object toward which each material applicator of the plurality of material applicators is directed; and    a processing unit coupled to the plurality of material applicators and the at least one scanning device to receive the scanning output,    wherein the processing unit is configured to activate each material applicator for which respective scanning output indicates it is aligned with substantially only a surface of the object to which the material is to be applied.    
   
   
       62 . The system as recited in  claim 61 , wherein: 
 the processing unit is configured to de-activate each material applicator for which respective scanning output indicates it is not aligned with substantially only a surface of the object to which the material is to be applied.    
   
   
       63 . The system as recited in  claim 61 , wherein: 
 the object is a catheter comprising a balloon portion on which a stent is deployed,    wherein the stent comprises the surface to which the material is to be applied.    
   
   
       64 . The system as recited in  claim 63 , wherein no surface of the balloon portion is of the surface type to which the material is to be applied.