Method and apparatus for loading a beneficial agent into an expandable medical device

Abstract

The present invention relates to method and apparatus for dispensing a beneficial agent into an expandable medical device. The method includes the step of placing an expandable medical device on a mandrel, the medical device forming a cylindrical device having a plurality of openings and dispensing a beneficial agent into the plurality of openings.

1 - 44 . (canceled)  
     
     
         45 . An apparatus for loading a beneficial agent in an expandable medical device, the apparatus comprising: 
 a mandrel;    an expandable medical device having a plurality of openings, the expandable medical device mounted on the mandrel; and    a dispenser configured to dispense a beneficial agent into the plurality of openings in the expandable medical device.    
     
     
         46 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , further comprising a plurality of bearings for receiving the mandrel.  
     
     
         47 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , further comprising a central processing unit for controlling the dispensing of the beneficial agent into the openings of the expandable medical device.  
     
     
         48 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , further comprising an observation system for dispensing the beneficial agent into the plurality of openings in the expandable medical device.  
     
     
         49 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , wherein the observation system is used to map the mandrel including a plurality of expandable medical devices fixed thereto.  
     
     
         50 . The apparatus of  claim 48 , further comprising a monitor for observing the dispensing of the beneficial agent into the plurality of openings of the expandable medical device.  
     
     
         51 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein an exterior surface of the mandrel is encapsulated with a rubber-like material.  
     
     
         52 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the beneficial agent includes a solvent.  
     
     
         53 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the dispenser is a piezoelectric micro-jetting dispenser.  
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the medical device is an expandable intraluminal prosthesis.  
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of  claim 45 , wherein the medical device is a stent.  
     
     
         56 - 57 . (canceled)  
     
     
         58 . An apparatus for loading a beneficial agent in a medical device having a plurality of openings, the apparatus comprising: 
 a dispenser configured to dispense a beneficial agent into the plurality of openings in the medical device;    an observation system configured to locate and identify the plurality of openings; and    a central processing unit for controlling the dispensing of the beneficial agent into the openings of the medical device, wherein an amount and location of droplets of beneficial agent dispensed into each of the openings in the medical device is determined by the central processing unit based on information obtained from the observation system.    
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , further comprising a mandrel for mounting a plurality of medical devices.  
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 59 , wherein the mandrel includes a resilient outer surface which seals a bottom side of the opening.  
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the plurality of openings have different volumes and the amount of beneficial agent dispensed is adjusted based on the volume of the opening.  
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 58 , wherein the beneficial agent comprises a drug.  
     
     
         63 . A system for controlling a delivery of a beneficial agent into a plurality of openings of a medical device, the system comprising: 
 an observation system for mapping a medical device to obtain an actual position of a plurality of openings of the medical device;    a central processing unit for comparing the actual position of the plurality of openings of the medical device to an anticipated position from a manufacturing specification; and    a dispenser for dispensing a fluid beneficial agent into the plurality of openings.    
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the central processing unit compares the actual position of the medical device to the manufacturing specifications of the medical device on an opening by opening comparison.  
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the central processing unit compares the actual position of the medical device to the manufacturing specification of the medical device on a medical device by medical device comparison.  
     
     
         66 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the medical device is on a mandrel.  
     
     
         67 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the fluid beneficial agent is delivered in droplets.  
     
     
         68 . The system of  claim 63 , further comprising a motor providing relative movement between the dispenser and the medical device, such that the dispenser is moved from alignment with the first opening in the medical device to alignment with a second opening in the medical device.  
     
     
         69 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the medical device is an expandable intraluminal prosthesis.  
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 63 , wherein the medical device is a stent.  
     
     
         71 . A system for controlling a delivery of a beneficial agent into an opening, the system comprising: 
 a mandrel having a plurality of expandable medical devices;    a dispenser configured to dispense a first layer and a second layer of a beneficial agent into a plurality of openings in the expandable medical device; and    a central processing unit for controlling the dispensing of the beneficial agent into the openings of the expandable medical device.    
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the mandrel includes a resilient outer surface which seals a bottom side of the opening.  
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the plurality of opening have different volumes and the amount of beneficial agent dispensed is adjusted based on the volume of the opening.  
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 71 , wherein the beneficial agent comprises a drug.  
     
     
         75 - 85 . (canceled)