US 7,553,377 B1
Apparatus and method for electrostatic coating of an abluminal stent surface
Yung-Ming Chen, Cupertino, Calif. (US); and Fuh-Wei Tang, Temecula, Calif. (US)
Assigned to Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., Santa Clara, Calif. (US)
Filed on Apr. 27, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/833,902.
Int. Cl. B05C 13/02 (2006.01); B05B 5/00 (2006.01); B05B 5/16 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 118—500  [118/624; 118/630] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A stent mandrel fixture to support a stent during application of a charged coating substance to the stent, comprising:
a first mandrel component in conductive contact with the stent, the first mandrel component including a support element to contact one end of the stent and a lock element to contact the other end of the stent; and
a second mandrel component connecting the support element to the lock element and positioned at least partially within a bore of the stent, the second mandrel component being spaced from the walls of the bore, having an outermost surface exposed to the walls of the bore, and being made from a nonconductive material or being coated with a nonconductive material.