Electropolishing fixture with plunger mechanism

Abstract

A method for electropolishing a medical device includes moving a plunger mechanism towards a side of the medical device to establish electrical contact between the medical device and an anode, the plunger mechanism moving transversely to a longitudinal axis of the medical device. Electropolishing the medical device following positioning the plunger mechanism and medical device and then removing the medical device and the anode from the electrolytic bath and unloading the medical device from the anode following electropolishing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for electropolishing a medical device, the method comprising:
 moving a plunger mechanism towards a side of the medical device to establish electrical contact between the medical device and an anode in an electrolytic bath, the plunger mechanism moving transversely to a longitudinal axis of the medical device;   electropolishing the medical device; and   removing the medical device and the anode from the electrolytic bath and unloading the medical device from the anode.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising loading the medical device on the anode in an electropolishing fixture. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising immersing the medical device in an electrolytic bath. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising repositioning the medical device on the anode. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein repositioning the medical device comprises:
 retracting the plunger mechanism to allow the medical device to move relative to the anode; and   re-extending the plunger mechanism to reestablish electrical contact between the medical device and the anode.   
     
     
         6 . A method for electropolishing a medical device, the method comprising:
 loading the medical device on an anode in an electropolishing fixture;   immersing the medical device in an electrolytic bath;   moving a plunger mechanism of the electropolishing fixture to an extended position to establish electrical contact between the medical device and the anode;   electropolishing the medical device; and   removing the medical device and the anode from the electrolytic bath.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising agitating the electrolytic bath. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising bowing the anode. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein bowing the anode comprises extending the plunger mechanism against the medical device to bow the anode. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein extending the plunger mechanism further comprises extending a tip of the plunger mechanism to contact and surround at least a portion of the medical device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising repositioning the medical device on the anode by:
 retracting the plunger mechanism to allow the medical device to move relative to the anode; and   re-extending the plunger mechanism to reestablish electrical contact between the medical device and the anode.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising positioning the medical device and anode in a spaced apart relationship from a cathode. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein positioning the medical device and anode comprise placing the medical device and anode adjacent an apex of the cathode. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising unloading the medical device from the anode. 
     
     
         15 . A method for electropolishing a stent, the method comprising:
 loading the stent on an anode in an electropolishing fixture, the anode contacting a pair of electrical contacts extending from a portion of the electropolishing fixture;   immersing the stent in an electrolytic bath;   moving a non-conductive plunger mechanism to an extended position to establish electrical contact between the stent and the anode;   electropolishing the stent; and   removing the stent and the anode from the electrolytic bath and unloading the stent from the anode.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising agitating the electrolytic bath. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein extending the plunger mechanism further comprises extending a tip of the plunger mechanism to contact and surround at least a portion of the stent and bow the anode. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein extending the plunger mechanism further comprises advancing a plate towards an end of the plunger mechanism opposite to the tip. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising positioning the stent and anode in a spaced apart relationship from a cathode. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising re-positioning the stent on the anode.