Patents by Inventor Mark F. Carlson

Mark F. Carlson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11090469
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating the balloon portion of a balloon catheter is described. The coating apparatus includes a rotatable member in which the catheter portion of the balloon catheter is mounted and fixed, and which causes rotation of the balloon catheter. The apparatus also includes a support member in which the distal tip of the catheter is inserted and free to rotate; and a spray nozzle directing sprayed material on the balloon surface. The inventive configuration of the coating apparatus allows the balloon catheter to be rotated along its axis with insubstantial or no wobble, which significantly improves the quality of the coating applied to the surface of the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Surmodics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson
  • Patent number: 11090468
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and methods for coating medical devices. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating apparatus including a coating application unit including a fluid applicator; a first rotation mechanism and a second rotation mechanism; and a controller, wherein the controller causes the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism to rotate a medical device at substantially the same speed, wherein the speed is greater than 500 rotations per minute. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of coating a medical device including rotating a medical device with a rotation mechanism at a speed of greater than 500 rotations per minute; contacting the medical device with a fluid applicator; and applying a coating solution to the device. In an embodiment, the invention includes a medical device. In some embodiments a surface of a shaft of the device comprises high points and low points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Surmodics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20190351200
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating the balloon portion of a balloon catheter is described. The coating apparatus includes a rotatable member in which the catheter portion of the balloon catheter is mounted and fixed, and which causes rotation of the balloon catheter. The apparatus also includes a support member in which the distal tip of the catheter is inserted and free to rotate; and a spray nozzle directing sprayed material on the balloon surface. The inventive configuration of the coating apparatus allows the balloon catheter to be rotated along its axis with insubstantial or no wobble, which significantly improves the quality of the coating applied to the surface of the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson
  • Patent number: 10238844
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating the balloon portion of a balloon catheter is described. The coating apparatus includes a rotatable member in which the catheter portion of the balloon catheter is mounted and fixed, and which causes rotation of the balloon catheter. The apparatus also includes a support member in which the distal tip of the catheter is inserted and free to rotate; and a spray nozzle directing sprayed material on the balloon surface. The inventive configuration of the coating apparatus allows the balloon catheter to be rotated along its axis with insubstantial or no wobble, which significantly improves the quality of the coating applied to the surface of the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Surmodics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20170157372
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating the balloon portion of a balloon catheter is described. The coating apparatus includes a rotatable member in which the catheter portion of the balloon catheter is mounted and fixed, and which causes rotation of the balloon catheter. The apparatus also includes a support member in which the distal tip of the catheter is inserted and free to rotate; and a spray nozzle directing sprayed material on the balloon surface. The inventive configuration of the coating apparatus allows the balloon catheter to be rotated along its axis with insubstantial or no wobble, which significantly improves the quality of the coating applied to the surface of the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson
  • Patent number: 9579491
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating the balloon portion of a balloon catheter is described. The coating apparatus includes a rotatable member in which the catheter portion of the balloon catheter is mounted and fixed, and which causes rotation of the balloon catheter. The apparatus also includes a support member in which the distal tip of the catheter is inserted and free to rotate; and a spray nozzle directing sprayed material on the balloon surface. The inventive configuration of the coating apparatus allows the balloon catheter to be rotated along its axis with insubstantial or no wobble, which significantly improves the quality of the coating applied to the surface of the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: SURMODICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson
  • Patent number: 9295820
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating the balloon portion of a balloon catheter is described. The coating apparatus includes a rotatable member in which the catheter portion of the balloon catheter is mounted and fixed, and which causes rotation of the balloon catheter. The apparatus also includes a support member in which the distal tip of the catheter is inserted and free to rotate; and a spray nozzle directing sprayed material on the balloon surface. The inventive configuration of the coating apparatus allows the balloon catheter to be rotated along its axis with insubstantial or no wobble, which significantly improves the quality of the coating applied to the surface of the balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SURMODICS, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20150174384
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating the balloon portion of a balloon catheter is described. The coating apparatus includes a rotatable member in which the catheter portion of the balloon catheter is mounted and fixed, and which causes rotation of the balloon catheter. The apparatus also includes a support member in which the distal tip of the catheter is inserted and free to rotate; and a spray nozzle directing sprayed material on the balloon surface. The inventive configuration of the coating apparatus allows the balloon catheter to be rotated along its axis with insubstantial or no wobble, which significantly improves the quality of the coating applied to the surface of the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20140121597
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and methods for coating medical devices. In an embodiment, the invention includes a coating apparatus including a coating application unit including a fluid applicator; a first rotation mechanism and a second rotation mechanism; and a controller, wherein the controller causes the first rotation mechanism and the second rotation mechanism to rotate a medical device at substantially the same speed, wherein the speed is greater than 500 rotations per minute. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of coating a medical device including rotating a medical device with a rotation mechanism at a speed of greater than 500 rotations per minute; contacting the medical device with a fluid applicator; and applying a coating solution to the device. In an embodiment, the invention includes a medical device. In some embodiments a surface of a shaft of the device comprises high points and low points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: SurModics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson
  • Patent number: 8318263
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for coating an object with a polymer layer. The method includes contacting the object with a first solution comprising a non-polymeric grafting initiator comprising at least one photoinitiator group capable of generating a free radical active species upon absorption of electromagnetic energy, wherein the photoinitiator group is selected from the group consisting of an initiator that is insoluble in polar solvent; and a negatively charged initiator; irradiating the first solution and the object, resulting in the grafting initiator binding to the object; removing the first solution; contacting the object with a second solution comprising a polymerizable monomer having at least one free-radical polymerizable group; and irradiating the second solution and the object, wherein the non-polymeric grafting initiator acts as a photoinitiator for a free-radical polymerization reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: SurModics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Carlson, Steven J. Porter, Sean M. Stucke, Ralph A. Chappa
  • Publication number: 20110104392
    Abstract: This invention provides a coating apparatus and methods for coating a device, such as an industrially or medically applicable device. The apparatus is suitable for providing a coating using a photoactivatable compound and a polymerizable compound. In another aspect, the apparatus and methods are useful for coating a device wherein the surface of the device has small pores or apertures. The apparatus includes of containers suitable for holding the object to be coated and the coating solution, a gas supply source for supplying gas to solution, an irradiation station for providing light used in the coating process, and a conveyor mechanism to direct the containers to and from the irradiation station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: SurModics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Carlson, Steven J. Porter, Sean M. Stucke, Ralph A. Chappa
  • Patent number: 7883749
    Abstract: A method for coating a device, such as an industrially or medically applicable device, with a polymer layer is provided. The method includes contacting the device with a grafting initiator comprising at least one photoinitiator group, exposing the device to radiation, contacting the device with a polymerizable monomer, and again exposing the device to radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Surmodics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Carlson, Steven J. Porter, Sean M. Stucke, Ralph A. Chappa
  • Patent number: 7776382
    Abstract: A method for coating a rollable device including a device rotator having a pair of rollers and spray nozzle is described. The spray nozzle produces a spray of coating material that is directed towards a gap that is between the rollers of the pair. The majority of any spray not deposited on the rollable device during a coating process passes through the gap between the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Surmodics, Inc
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20100040766
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating the balloon portion of a balloon catheter is described. The coating apparatus includes a rotatable member in which the catheter portion of the balloon catheter is mounted and fixed, and which causes rotation of the balloon catheter. The apparatus also includes a support member in which the distal tip of the catheter is inserted and free to rotate; and a spray nozzle directing sprayed material on the balloon surface. The inventive configuration of the coating apparatus allows the balloon catheter to be rotated along its axis with insubstantial or no wobble, which significantly improves the quality of the coating applied to the surface of the balloon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson
  • Publication number: 20090176030
    Abstract: A method for coating a device, such as an industrially or medically applicable device, with a polymer layer is provided. The method includes contacting the device with a grafting initiator comprising at least one photoinitiator group, exposing the device to radiation, contacting the device with a polymerizable monomer, and again exposing the device to radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Mark F. Carlson, Steven J. Porter, Sean M. Stucke, Ralph A. Chappa
  • Patent number: 7192484
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating a rollable device including a device rotator having a pair of rollers and spray nozzle is described. The spray nozzle produces a spray of coating material that is directed towards a gap that is between the rollers of the pair. The majority of any spray not deposited on the rollable device during a coating process passes through the gap between the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: SurModics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson
  • Patent number: 7041174
    Abstract: This invention provides a coating apparatus and methods for coating a device, such as an industrially or medically applicable device. The apparatus is suitable for providing a coating using a photoactivatable compound and a polymerizable compound. In another aspect, the apparatus and methods are useful for coating a device wherein the surface of the device has small pores or apertures. The apparatus includes of containers suitable for holding the object to be coated and the coating solution, a gas supply source for supplying gas to solution, an irradiation station for providing light used in the coating process, and a conveyor mechanism to direct the containers to and from the irradiation station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: SunModics,Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Carlson, Steven J. Porter, Sean M. Stucke, Ralph A. Chappa
  • Publication number: 20040161547
    Abstract: This invention provides a coating apparatus and methods for coating a device, such as an industrially or medically applicable device. The apparatus is suitable for providing a coating using a photoactivatable compound and a polymerizable compound. In another aspect, the apparatus and methods are useful for coating a device wherein the surface of the device has small pores or apertures. The apparatus includes of containers suitable for holding the object to be coated and the coating solution, a gas supply source for supplying gas to solution, an irradiation station for providing light used in the coating process, and a conveyor mechanism to direct the containers to and from the irradiation station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 19, 2004
    Applicant: SurModics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Carlson, Steven J. Porter, Sean M. Stucke, Ralph A. Chappa
  • Publication number: 20040062875
    Abstract: A coating apparatus for coating a rollable device including a device rotator having a pair of rollers and spray nozzle is described. The spray nozzle produces a spray of coating material that is directed towards a gap that is between the rollers of the pair. The majority of any spray not deposited on the rollable device during a coating process passes through the gap between the rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: SurModics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson
  • Patent number: RE46251
    Abstract: A method for coating a rollable device including a device rotator having a pair of rollers and spray nozzle is described. The spray nozzle produces a spray of coating material that is directed towards a gap that is between the rollers of the pair. The majority of any spray not deposited on the rollable device during a coating process passes through the gap between the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Surmodics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Chappa, Mark F. Carlson