Introduction
With the device, several work steps can be completed in one. For example, when the lever is actuated, the protective cap is simultaneously removed from the stent, the medication is applied and dried with sterile oxygen.
Task
seleon realizes the development, production and service of the stent coating machine on behalf of the customer. The task posed many technical challenges. For example, a solution was found to fix the stent in the coating machine in a sterile manner. Another important requirement was to design the cartridge in which the stent is coated as an inexpensive disposable part made of plastic. Operator ergonomics, reliability and ease of cleaning were also essential points that had to be met.
Solution
The design, electronics, automation and spraying technology used by seleon solve above mentioned requirements. This is realized by an elegant mechanical coupling of a linear one-dimensional movement with the ejection of a syringe containing the coating substance. Accuracy of drug dosing is ensured down to fractions of milliliters, and the stent is homogeneously coated. Sophisticated sensor technology and the firmware used are used to detect errors and control the coating process. seleon designed this device to distinguish between hardware and operating errors and to rule out incorrect coating. Clinical results from the German Heart Center in Munich prove that the machine works excellently in everyday use and will be an important tool for cardiologists in the growing coronary stent market in the future.