Systems and Methods for Producing a Medical Device
A machine and process useful for processing a delicate workpiece, e.g., an implantable medical device, includes a carrier having a mandrel and wheels. The workpiece is positioned on the mandrel, which is free to roll by gravity on rails which cooperate with the wheels to self-align the travel of the carrier. The carrier can move the workpieces through a series of processing steps by gravity feed and without human intervention. A laterally movable carriage receives the rolling carriers and moves the carrier for processing, and returns the carrier to the rails to again roll by gravity to another processing substation for additional processing. An elevator, which can including processing units itself, is positioned along the rails to receive carriers and raise them so they can continue to roll for further processing.
1 . A carrier useful for moving a medical device through a processing station, the carrier comprising:
a mandrel;
at least two wheels mounted on the mandrel; and
at least one implantable medical device positioned on the mandrel.
2 . A carrier according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one implantable medical device is positioned between two of the at least two wheels.
3 . A carrier according to claim 1 , wherein the mandrel comprises a free end which extends past one of the at least two wheels.
4 . A carrier according to claim 1 , wherein the mandrel comprises a jacket, the at least one implantable medical device positioned on the jacket.
5 . A carrier according to claim 4 , wherein the jacket is formed of a resilient material.
6 . A carrier according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one implantable medical device comprises a plurality of implantable medical devices mounted on the mandrel in a spaced relationship with at least one gap therebetween.
7 . A carrier according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two wheels each have a curved inner bearing surface.
8 . A carrier according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one implantable medical device comprises at least one opening on an outer surface of the at least one implantable medical device, configured and arranged to receive a beneficial agent therein.
9 . A carrier according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one implantable medical device comprises at least one stent.
10 . A carrier according to claim 1 , wherein the at least two wheels define an axis; and
wherein the at least one implantable medical device is cylindrical and has an axis aligned with the axis of the at least two wheels.
11 . A process of moving a medical device through a processing station, the process comprising:
mounting at least one implantable medical device onto a carrier having a mandrel and at least two wheels; and
rolling the mandrel with the medical device down an incline of the processing station.
12 . A process according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one implantable medical device is positioned between two of the at least two wheels.
13 . A process according to claim 11 , wherein the mandrel comprises a free end which extends past one of the at least two wheels.
14 . A process according to claim 11 , wherein the mandrel comprises a jacket, and wherein mounting comprises mounting the at least one implantable medical device on the jacket.
15 . A process according to claim 14 , wherein the jacket is formed of a resilient material.
16 . A process according to claim 11 , wherein mounting comprises mounting a plurality of implantable medical devices on the mandrel in a spaced relationship with at least one gap therebetween.
17 . A process according to claim 11 , wherein the at least two wheels each have a curved inner bearing surface.
18 . A process according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one implantable medical device comprises at least one opening on an outer surface of the at least one implantable medical device, configured and arranged to receive a beneficial agent therein.
19 . A process according to claim 11 , wherein the at least one implantable medical device comprises at least one stent.
20 . A process according to claim 11 , wherein the at least two wheels define an axis; and
wherein the at least one implantable medical device is cylindrical and has an axis aligned with the axis of the at least two wheels.