Systems and methods for coating catheter shafts

1. A method of coating a catheter component, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a catheter component defining a length and a longitudinal axis, and having a first and second end; providing a container and a fluid in the container; the fluid being one or more coating materials in fluid form and defining a fluid level; providing a first and second clasp for releasably holding the first and second end of the catheter component, respectively; providing an actuator for selectively rotating the first clasp to selectively rotate the catheter component around its longitudinal axis; wherein the clasps and actuator define an assembly; and providing a mechanism for selectively raising and lowering the assembly;

(b) clasping the first and second ends of the catheter component with the clasps, and positioning the clasps relatively close together, at a distance substantially less than the catheter component length, such that the catheter component tends to hang down from the clasps in a “U” shape;

(c) the mechanism lowering the catheter component into the fluid until the fluid level reaches a position on the catheter component; the actuator rotating the catheter component in the fluid;

(d) following a selected elapsed time, the mechanism raising the catheter component from the fluid and holding the catheter component in a curing position; the actuator rotating the catheter component in the curing position; such that the fluid forms a coating on the catheter component; and

(e) releasing the clasps and removing the coated catheter component from the assembly.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a second actuator;

wherein during said rotating steps, the second actuator rotates the catheter component second end in an equal and opposite direction to the first actuator.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a second actuator, and further comprising a mechanism for limiting rotation of the first and second actuators to equal and opposite directions;

wherein during said rotating steps, the second actuator rotates the catheter component second end in an equal and opposite direction to the first actuator.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the rotation limiting mechanism is a pair of gears in mutual engagement.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid is hydrophilic, and forms a hydrophilic coating on the catheter component.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the catheter component is tubular and defines a lumen, and wherein the clasps define seals to resist entry of the fluid in the tank into the lumen of the catheter component.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein said step (a) further comprises providing a cutter; and further comprising, between steps (d) and (e), the additional step of:

cutting the catheter component, forming a first and second resulting catheter component, each with a coating extending to one end thereof.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein each lumen defined by the first and second resulting catheter component is substantially free of coating.