Multiple Scaffold Design And Coating Thereof

Abstract

A multiple stent structure including a plurality of stent bodies arranged end to end in which adjacent stent bodies of the structure are connected by a severable connecting portion disposed between the adjacent stent bodies is disclosed. A method of coating a plurality of stents including depositing a coating on the multiple stent structure and severing the severable connecting portions to disconnect the plurality of stent bodies is disclosed.

1 . A medical device comprising:
 a structure comprising a plurality of stent bodies arranged end to end, wherein adjacent stent bodies of the structure are connected by a severable connecting portion disposed between the adjacent stent bodies, wherein at least one of the stent bodies at an end of the structure comprises a severable end portion at the end of the structure.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mandrel disposed within the plurality of stent bodies, the mandrel comprising an elongate member and at least one disk disposed about the elongate member that engages the severable end portion to provide support to the structure during coating of the structure. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein at least one disk engages at least one severable connecting portion. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein at least one end of the elongate member is engaged with a rotatable member configured to rotate the mandrel and the device during coating of the structure. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the mandrel does not engage at least one stent body. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the severable end portion engages a rotatable element configured to rotate the device during coating of the structure. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the end portion comprises
 a gate connected to the at least one of the stent bodies at the end of the structure at one end of the gate and wherein the gate is adapted to sever from the body or is adapted to break along a segment of the gate; and   a tab or a tube disposed at an opposing end of the gate, wherein the tab or tube is adapted to couple to a component of a coating device.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the end portion engages a support element of a coating device and the stent bodies do not engage any support elements. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion comprises
 a tab or a tube disposed between the adjacent stent bodies,   a first gate connecting the tube or tab to one of the adjacent stent bodies;   a second gate connecting the tube or tab to the other adjacent stent body, wherein the first and second gates are adapted to sever from the adjacent stent bodies or are adapted to break along a segment of the gates.   
     
     
         10 . A method of coating a plurality of stents comprising:
 providing a structure comprising a plurality of stent bodies arranged end to end, wherein adjacent stent bodies along the structure are connected by a severable connecting portion disposed between the adjacent stent bodies; and   depositing a coating on the plurality of stent bodies; and   severing the severable connecting portions to disconnect the plurality of stent bodies.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the stent bodies at an end of the structure comprises a severable end portion at the end of the structure. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , further comprising severing the severable end portion from the at least one stent body at the end of the structure after depositing the coating. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the severable end portion is mounted over a rotatable member that supports and rotates the structure during the depositing of the coating, wherein the rotatable member does not contact any of the stent bodies. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein a mandrel disposed within the structure engages the end portion at each end of the structure to support the structure during the depositing of the coating. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein at least one end of the mandrel engages a rotatable member that rotates the mandrel and the structure during the depositing of the coating.