Abstract: An adhesive application apparatus for applying a liquid adhesive to an object includes a regular application stage against which the object is placed for a regular application of the liquid adhesive to the object, a trial application stage to which a trial application of the liquid adhesive is carried out, an application unit relatively movable with respect to the regular application stage and trial application stage to carry out the regular application and trial application of the liquid adhesive, and a suction unit carrying out a suction operation of the liquid adhesive used in the trial application. The adhesive application apparatus smoothly carries out the trial application of the liquid adhesive without bothering the operation of an adhesive application line.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ascent and descent apparatus for a liquid material spray printer, which may control a distance between a subject and a spray assembly optimally. The apparatus includes a sliding member having a pair of sliders selectively reciprocating oppositely by a driving unit; a frame installed above the sliders and having an elongated guide hole corresponding to a reciprocating range of the sliders; and a pair of crosslink members installed to an upper surface of the frame to couple with the sliders through the hole and whose upper end supports a flat table. The crosslink members include a pair of unit links hinged at their substantial center, whose lower ends are respectively coupled to the slider and hinged to the frame, and upper ends are respectively hinged to the flat table and supports the flat table rotatably, whereby the flat table is lifted by reciprocation of the sliders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a floating-type substrate conveying and processing apparatus that floats a substrate to be processed. The device includes a floating stage that floats the substrate, a liquid supplier placed above the floating stage via the substrate to supply a process liquid to a surface of the substrate, and a moving mechanism for holding the substrate as detachable at opposite ends of the substrate, at a floating height of the substrate, and for moving the substrate on the floating stage. The floating stage is formed of a porous member and has a plurality of suction apertures airtightly defined in a porous portion of the porous member. The floating stage injects gas through the porous portion and sucks gas through the suction apertures to float the substrate placed on the porous portion.

Abstract: Provided are a method of producing a magnetic recording medium with improved environmental resistance, especially, corrosion resistance and an apparatus used therefor.

Abstract: A carrying system includes first and second carrying machines each of which includes a holding unit, a base and a linkage having pivotally joined first and second links. The holding unit can be moved, by turning the second link relative to the first link which is turned relative to the base, along a substantially arc carrying route extending round the pedestal between a loading position and a processing position. The arc carrying route is closer to the pedestal with respect to an imaginary circle having its center on the pedestal and a radius corresponding to the distance between the pedestal and either of the loading position and the processing position.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device and method for treating a peripheral region of a sandwich component, in particular of a sandwich component having a honeycomb structure and two spaced-apart coating layers and a core structure having a plurality of cavities. The invention is characterized by applying a layer of liquid thermoplastic material onto an peripheral region of the sandwich component such that thermoplastic material penetrates into cavities in the core structure of the sandwich component, and hardening the applied thermoplastic material.

Abstract: There is provided a film-forming device capable of advantageously superimposing and securing a substrate, a weight member, and/or a magnetic body while maintaining the precisely aligned substrate and mask in a superimposed state. The film-forming device is provided with a film-forming mask 5 and film-forming means for forming a thin film on the substrate 6 on which the film-forming mask 5 has been superimposed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and devices for coating stents are described herein.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of decorating guitars and other stringed musical instruments are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus may include a carrier to hold a portion of a guitar, a surface to support the carrier, one or more ink-jet printheads to apply radiation-sensitive ink compositions on a surface of the portion of the guitar, when the portion of the guitar is held by the carrier, and when the carrier is supported by the surface, and a radiation source to supply radiation to the radiation-sensitive ink on the surface of the portion of the guitar. In another aspect, a method may include providing at least a portion of a guitar having a surface, and applying a decoration over the surface by spraying radiation-sensitive ink compositions over the surface with one or more ink jet spray nozzles and exposing the radiation-sensitive ink compositions to radiation.

Abstract: Provided is a spray booth that includes a housing and a means for advancing the vehicle through the housing. The means for advancing may include a rail system that extends along the long axis of the housing and is off-set from the center of the short axis of the housing. The spray booth housing includes walls that define an area for locating a vehicle to be painted. The area defined by the walls includes regions for priming a vehicle to be painted, preparing a vehicle to be painted, and distinct painting areas for separately painting the vehicle that is engaged with them means for advancing and for painting parts that are not attached to the vehicle. The spray booth may also include one or more air handling systems for handling air that is flowed through the spray booth during the preparation and paint operations.

Abstract: A sleeve is positioned over a radially-expandable rod assembly and a stent is positioned over the sleeve. A mandrel is inserted into the rod assembly to thereby press the sleeve against the inner surface of the stent and expand the stent. A coating (such as a solvent, a polymer and/or a therapeutic substance) is then applied to the outer (abluminal) surfaces of the stent, by spraying, for example. The sleeve advantageously prevents the coating material from being applied to inner (luminal) surfaces of the stent and also allows the coating material to be efficiently applied to the abluminal surfaces.

Abstract: A system and method allows for processing of two groups of medical devices, both groups being alternatingly spray coated within the same enclosure. The two groups repeatedly move back and forth between a spray area and a drying area which is isolated from the spray area. One group moves into the spray area as the other group moves out and into the drying area. Thereafter, the group in the spray area moves out and into the drying area and the other group moves back into the spraying area for a second coating. The alternating process may be repeated any number of times. The spray area may be located inside a sealed spray isolator enclosure and surrounded by gas discharge nozzles.

Abstract: Installation for vacuum treatment, particularly of substrates, includes several identical independent and aligned modules. Each module is provided with a vacuum treatment chamber and a transfer chamber having a mechanism for transferring a substrate within one of the different chambers or from one chamber to another, the second chamber being located downstream or upstream from, directly next to, or separated by at least one module from the first chamber. A substrate can be transferred into one chamber in order to undergo a treatment while another substrate is placed in a different chamber for a specific treatment.

Abstract: It is an object to provide an electronic component mounting apparatus suitable for diverting a single unit to a unit for different operation and a viscous material trial coater that is used in the electronic component mounting apparatus and that enables replacement of a working unit with a working unit of a different type with superior operability. In an electronic component mounting apparatus that is used in an electronic component mounting line for producing a mounted substrate by mounting electronic components on a substrate and that subjects the substrate to predetermined operation, a working unit attachment section 30 is provided within a range of movement of a working head, such as a loading head and a paste coating head, wherein a nozzle stocker 9 and a paste trial coating unit 10 can be removably attached as a working unit for performing specific additional operation appropriate for working function of the working head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a lift pin is described. In one embodiment, a lift pin head is described. The lift pin head includes a base member having a body made of a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion, and a tip disposed on the base member, the base member having a body made of a second material that is flexible at room temperature and having a second coefficient of thermal expansion, the first coefficient of thermal expansion being less than the second coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a substrate in a chamber are provided. an apparatus for positioning a substrate in a processing chamber. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a substrate support assembly having a support surface adapted to receive the substrate and a plurality of centering members for supporting the substrate at a distance parallel to the support surface and for centering the substrate relative to a reference axis substantially perpendicular to the support surface. The plurality of the centering members are movably disposed along a periphery of the support surface, and each of the plurality of centering members comprises a first end portion for either contacting or supporting a peripheral edge of the substrate.

Abstract: A spray painting tool for painting key caps is disclosed, which comprises: a platform, having a plurality of columns formed on a top surface of the same; a panel, having a plurality of holes formed thereon at positions corresponding to the plural columns for allowing the plural columns to pass through the panel therefrom; a diaphragm, disposed on the panel while aligning a plurality of holes formed thereon with the plural columns for allowing the plural columns to pass through the diaphragm therefrom; and at least a holding unit, each being arranged on the panel at a position corresponding to one of the plural column for fixedly securing a key cap. As the diaphragm can be easily replaced, the spray painting tool can be used repetitively without worrying the stacking of residue paint on its panel. Moreover, as the spray painting tool is simple in structure and ease to use, painting key caps can be achieved with lower cost and less time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a thin film solar cell including introducing a reaction solution into a reaction chamber, fixing a supporter onto a loader, disposing the loader in the reaction chamber to immerse the supporter into the reaction solution, and heating the supporter and coating a buffer layer. In addition, an apparatus of fabricating a thin film solar cell including a reaction chamber mounted with an inlet of a reaction solution and an outlet of waste water, and a loader disposed in the reaction chamber and being capable of moving up and down, is disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for atomic layer deposition of a material on a moving substrate comprises a conveying arrangement for moving a substrate along a predetermined planar or curved path of travel and a coating bar having at least one precursor delivery channel. The precursor delivery channel conducts a fluid containing a material to be deposited on a substrate toward the path of travel. When in use, a substrate movable along the path of travel defines a gap between the outlet end of the precursor delivery channel and the substrate. The gap defines an impedance Zg to a flow of fluid from the precursor delivery channel. A flow restrictor is disposed within the precursor delivery channel that presents a predetermined impedance Zfc to the flow therethrough. The restrictor is sized such that the impedance Zfc is at least five (5) times, and more preferably at least fifteen (15) times, the impedance Zg. The impedance Zfc has a friction factor f.

Abstract: A workpiece handling system includes a process chamber configured to support a workpiece for ion implantation, a first mask stored outside the process chamber in a mask station, and a robot system configured to retrieve the first mask from the mask station, and position the first mask upstream of the workpiece so the workpiece receives a first selective implant through the first mask. A method includes storing a first mask outside a process chamber in a mask station, retrieving the first mask from the mask station, positioning the first mask upstream of a workpiece positioned in the process chamber for ion implantation, and performing a first selective implant through the first mask.

Abstract: An automatic dispensing machine adapted for dosing adhesive to a product includes a base frame having a flat operating platform, at least two positioning apparatuses disposed on the operating platform for securing the product respectively, a sliding support slidably mounted onto the base frame and capable of being driven to slide above the positioning apparatuses, and a storage container vertically slidably mounted onto the sliding support by means of a container stand for storing the adhesive and capable of being driven by the sliding support to suspend over another one of the positioning apparatuses from one of the positioning apparatuses for dosing the adhesive to the product. During the automatic dispensing machine processing the product positioned in the another one positioning apparatus, the former processed product secured on the one positioning apparatus can be simultaneously disassembled therefrom and another product is repositioned to the one positioning apparatus.

Abstract: A coating device includes a table, a number of coating housings, a carrier, a number of conveyors, and a number of turntables. The coating housings are separately mounted on the table, and each including a hatch formed thereon. The hatches of all the coating housings face towards a same direction. The carrier are used for carrying one or more products to be coated. The conveyors are distributed on the table around each of the coating housing, and respectively extend into the inside of the coating housing through the hatch for delivering the carrier into the coating housings in turn. The turntables are installed between every two adjacent conveyors for transporting the carrier from a preceding conveyor to a succeeding conveyor according to a predefined route, respectively.

Abstract: A stage apparatus includes a stage over which a substrate is to be transferred, and a levitation mechanism which levitates the substrate over the stage. The stage includes a plurality of gas spray ports (16a) to spray a gas for levitating the substrate (G), and a plurality of suction ports (16b) to take in air sprayed from the gas spray ports (16a). The plurality of gas spray ports (16a) and the plurality of suction ports (16b) are set not to be arranged on straight lines parallel to a substrate transfer direction in a predetermined length along the substrate transfer direction.

Abstract: A body structure has an inner region shape that defines a cavity within the body structure. The cavity within the body structure is designed to hold a fluid. A chuck includes a top that is capable of holding a substrate, and a body portion that has a complementary shape with respect to the inner region shape of the body structure. The complementary shape of the chuck body portion at least partially aligns with the inner region shape that defines the body structure cavity. The chuck body portion is designed to move into the cavity of the body structure and displace the fluid held within the cavity, so as to shift the fluid over the top of the chuck. The body portion of the chuck is also designed to move out of the cavity of the body structure, so as to remove the fluid from over the top of the chuck.

Abstract: A coating apparatus includes a chamber device and a transporting device. The chamber device defines two separated coating chambers, two coating channels, which are alternately arranged, two coating slots communicating the coating chambers with the coating channels respectively, and a transportation channel extending to intersect the coating chambers and the coating channels and communicate with the coating channels. The transporting device includes a carrying board for carrying a substrate to be coated and an a driver for driving the carrying board to move along the transportation channel and to rotate the carrying board into one of the coating channels so that the substrate faces and aligns a corresponding coating chamber via a corresponding coating slot.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium is provided. The apparatus has a plurality of connected film forming chambers; a carrier for holding a substrate; a mechanism for placing the substrate on the carrier prior to forming a film; a mechanism for sequentially transferring the carriers into the connected film forming chambers; and a mechanism for removing the substrate from the carrier after the film is formed. The mechanism for transferring the carrier is a linear motor. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing the magnetic recording medium by using such apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A painters stand comprising a pair of extensible supports for rotatably securing a workpiece therebetween. Each support is comprised of a stanchion having a collar mounted thereon with a plurality of divergent legs extending therefrom with the stanchion having an intermediate workpiece support approximate the top end and a receiver for a workpiece fastener that will be fastened to a workpiece end whereby the workpiece can be supported between the stanchions. Once mounted in the workpiece receiver a plurality of radially positioned apertures are provided within the workpiece fastener so that one can be selectively co-aligned with a workpiece receiver aperture for insertion of a pin to secure the workpiece while a desired operation is performed, such as sanding and or painting.

Abstract: A coating apparatus includes a housing, a number of coating chambers, a first lifting rod, a second lifting rod, and a third lifting rod. The housing includes a bottom wall with an opening defined thereon, a first side wall, and a second side wall opposite to the first side wall. The coating chambers are vertically aligned with each other and received in the housing. Each coating chamber defines an inlet and an outlet at two opposite sides thereof, two inlets of each two adjacent coating chambers faces the first side wall and the second side wall respectively. The first lifting rod and the second lifting rod are disposed adjacent to the second side wall and the first side wall respectively for moving a substrate among the coating chambers. The third lifting rod is disposed between the first lifting rod and the second lifting rod for carrying the substrate into and out of the housing through the opening.

Abstract: The invention provides a lithographic method referred to as “dip pen” nanolithography (DPN). DPN utilizes a scanning probe microscope (SPM) tip (e.g., an atomic force microscope (AFM) tip) as a “pen,” a solid-state substrate (e.g., gold) as “paper,” and molecules with a chemical affinity for the solid-state substrate as “ink.” Capillary transport of molecules from the SPM tip to the solid substrate is used in DPN to directly write patterns consisting of a relatively small collection of molecules in submicrometer dimensions, making DPN useful in the fabrication of a variety of microscale and nanoscale devices. The invention also provides substrates patterned by DPN, including submicrometer combinatorial arrays, and kits, devices and software for performing DPN. The invention further provides a method of performing AFM imaging in air.

Abstract: A substrate processing system includes a processing unit, a substrate loading unit, a substrate unloading unit, and a carrying unit. A carrying device has a constitution in which a suction portion suctioning and holding a substrate is rotatable about an arm portion provided in a base portion and the substrate is rotated in the state where the substrate is held by a holding portion. A coating device has a constitution in which a liquid material is ejected from a nozzle to both surfaces of the substrate rotating in an upright state.

Abstract: An isolator for heat transfer gas conduits of an electrostatic chuck is described. The isolator includes a sleeve and a body positioned in the sleeve to form an annulus between the body and sleeve that allows for flow of the heat transfer gas. The body is positioned against the puck of the chuck, and may be supported in this position by a spring. A silicon seal may be provided between the sleeve and the puck to prevent plasma from forming in the conduits.

Abstract: An apparatus for coating stents and a method of using the same is provided. The apparatus includes a first stent support and a second stent support for supporting stents. The first and second stent supports are positioned with respect to one another in an adjacent serial configuration such that one end of the first stent support extends from an end of the adjacent second stent support. A motor can be coupled to the first stent support to rotate the first stent support such that the rotation of the first stent support rotates the second stent support. The apparatus further includes an applicator for applying a coating composition to the stents.

Abstract: Disclosed are a substrate supporting unit, a substrate processing apparatus, and a method of manufacturing the substrate supporting unit. The substrate supporting unit includes a susceptor (12) provided with heaters (15a, 16b) to heat a substrate placed on the susceptor (12), and including a first temperature region and a second temperature region having a higher temperature than that of the first temperature region; and a heat dissipating member (20) including a contact surface (21) being in thermal contact with the second temperature region. The heat dissipating member (20) further includes an opening (23) corresponding to the first temperature region. The heat dissipating member (20) formed in a ring shape, in which the opening (23) is surrounded with the contact surface (21), and the contact surface (21) of the heat dissipating member (20) makes thermal contact with the lower surface of the susceptor (12).

Abstract: A self-retained paint shield configured to shield an exterior roof structure while spray painting exterior side walls of a home or building. The paint shield includes a shield portion and an exterior-roof attachment portion. The shield portion is configured to shield at least a portion of the roof structure from paint spray. The exterior-roof attachment portion is connected to the shield portion and includes two upwardly extending attachment side walls extending at a lower end from each other. With this arrangement, the exterior-roof attachment portion is configured to attach to the end of the roof structure in a self-retained manner while the shield portion shields at least a portion of the roof structure from paint spray.

Abstract: In the present invention, at a coater cup 18 of a resist coating device 10, a through-hole 46 is formed in a top wall 38 of an upper cup 24 that is formed of a resin material. A silicon substrate 16 is held at a rotating chuck 14 that passes-through the through-hole 46. A reverse surface of the silicon substrate 16 thereby faces a top surface of the top wall 38 of the upper cup 24. Here, a deformation correcting hardware 48 is mounted to the top wall 38 of the upper cup 24 along a hole edge portion of the through-hole 46 (i.e., along a pushed-out portion 38A). Because the deformation correcting hardware 48 is formed to have higher rigidity than the top wall 38 of the upper cup 24, deformation of the top wall 38 can be corrected or suppressed by the deformation correcting hardware 48.

Abstract: A bonded assembly to reduce particle contamination in a semiconductor vacuum chamber such as a plasma processing apparatus is provided, including an elastomeric sheet adhesive bond between mating surfaces of a component and a support member to accommodate thermal stresses. The elastomeric sheet comprises a silicone adhesive to withstand a high shear strain of ?800% at a temperature range between room temperature and 300° C. such as heat curable high molecular weight dimethyl silicone with optional fillers. The sheet form has bond thickness control for parallelism of bonded surfaces. The sheet adhesive may be cut into pre-form shapes to conform to regularly or irregularly shaped features, maximize surface contact area with mating parts, and can be installed into cavities. Installation can be manually, manually with installation tooling, or with automated machinery. Composite layers of sheet adhesive having different physical properties can be laminated or coplanar.

Abstract: Methods for processing a vessel, for example to provide a gas barrier or lubricity, are disclosed. First and second PECVD or other vessel processing stations or devices and a vessel holder comprising a vessel port are provided. An opening of the vessel can be seated on the vessel port. The interior surface of the seated vessel can be processed via the vessel port by the first and second processing stations or devices. Vessel barrier, lubricity and hydrophobic coatings and coated vessels, for example syringes and medical sample collection tubes are disclosed. A vessel processing system and vessel inspection apparatus and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing nuclear fuel elements comprising the steps of placing nuclear fuel balls in the container made from ultra-porous material, applying a CVI to the container and removing the container. The container for manufacturing fuel elements comprising balls, and is produced from at least one ultra-porous material, for example carbon foam.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a compound semiconductor, which can improve a quality of each of thin film layers constituting a laminate structure. Each of first and second thin film layers is formed by growing a crystal of each thin film layer one over another on a silicon substrate 2 in first and second vapor deposition chambers 6a and 6b for exclusive use, corresponding to the respective thin film layers. As this crystal growth is carried out under conditions under which nothing other than raw gas materials used therein or those derived therefrom, such as stuck materials, precipitates, etc., exists in the first and second vapor deposition chambers 6a and 6b, a decrease in quality of the second thin film layer can be prevented because an unexpected reaction between the raw gas materials used for the first and second thin film layers, etc. can be suppressed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fixture for use in a physical vapor deposition coating operation which comprises a support structure 14 comprising a circular base member 10, a circular top member 11 opposite the circular base member 10, and a plurality of structural members 12 joining said top member 11 to said base member 10; a plurality of panel members 13 aligned in a vertical direction around the outer periphery of said support structure 14 forming a cylinder-like structure; said panel members 13 including a plurality of apertures for holding workpieces 19 and 35 to which a coating is to be applied; and said apertures positioned on said panel members 13 so that said workpieces 19 and 35 are aligned in a staggered vertical direction. This invention also relates to a method for simultaneously coating a plurality of workpieces 19 and 35, such as gas turbine compressor blades and vanes, with erosion resistant coatings using the fixture of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a substrate carrying and processing apparatus which is intended to reduce the size of the space for storing substrates in each substrate storing section as much as possible so as to downsize the apparatus and increase the number of substrates to be stored therein as well as to enhance the throughput. The substrate carrying and processing apparatus comprises a carrier block S1 which is adapted to position carriers 20 each receiving wafers W therein, a processing block S2 including processing units U1 to U4, 31 used for processing each wafer, a main arms A1 adapted to transfer each wafer to each processing unit, a rack unit U5 which is disposed between the carrier block and the processing block and able to store wafers to be processed, and a transfer arm D adapted to transfer each wafer to the rack unit.

Abstract: A donor substrate for a laser induced thermal imaging method and an organic light emitting display manufactured using the same are provided. A laser induced thermal imaging apparatus includes a stage grounded by a grounding means, and a method of fabricating an organic light emitting display is capable of controlling static electricity which may be built up while an organic layer is formed using the apparatus.

Abstract: A stent mandrel fixture for supporting a stent during the application of a coating substance is provided.

Abstract: A tool holder device supporting at least one tool configured to collaborate with at least one substrate positioned on edge. The tool holder device makes the tool move translationally and rotationally relative to the substrate, it being possible for the substrate to be moved translationally relative to the tool as the tool is operating. Collaboration between the tool and the substrate occurs with or without contact relative to the edge face of the substrate.

Abstract: An electroless deposition system is provided. The system includes a processing mainframe, at least one substrate cleaning station positioned on the mainframe, and an electroless deposition station positioned on the mainframe. The electroless deposition station includes an environmentally controlled processing enclosure, a first processing station configured to clean and activate a surface of a substrate, a second processing station configured to electrolessly deposit a layer onto the surface of the substrate, and a substrate transfer shuttle positioned to transfer substrates between the first and second processing stations. The system also includes a substrate transfer robot positioned on the mainframe and configured to access an interior of the processing enclosure. The system also includes a substrate a fluid delivery system that is configured to deliver a processing fluid by use of a spraying process to a substrate mounted in the processing enclosure.

Abstract: A coating apparatus includes a chamber device and a transporting device. The chamber device defines two coating chambers, two parallel coating channels, and a transportation channel communicating with the coating channels. The coating chambers are separated from each other. The coating chambers and the coating channels are alternately arranged. Each coating chamber defines at least one coating slot communicating with the respective coating channel. The transporting device includes a shaft rotatable with respect to the chamber device and a carrying board fixed on the shaft. The shaft is axially movable in the transportation channel. The carrying board is receivable in each of the coating channels for exposing a substrate to the corresponding coating chamber via the associated coating slot. The carrying board is rotatable about the shaft in each of the coating channels and jointly movable with the shaft in and along the transportation channel between the coating channels.

Abstract: A flange (6) intended to be part of a self-supporting rigid hollow body having large dimensions and intended for building constructions, including a thin wall (4) having a generally cylindrical shape relative to an axis, made of a coating and resistance material containing concrete or the like and reinforced with fibres, and two such end flanges (6) oriented towards the outside. The flange includes a main portion (9) generally shaped as a flattened hollow cylinder and visible in the body upon completion and a talon (10) extending in an axial direction from a transverse face (11) of the main portion and having inner radial overall dimensions equal to or close to the inner radial overall dimensions of the main portion, and outer radial overall dimensions lower than the outer radial overall dimensions of the main portion. A method and equipment for making such a hollow body using such flanges are also described.

Abstract: A stent fixture for supporting a stent during formation of a coating is provided.

Abstract: A sleeve is positioned over a radially-expandable rod assembly and a stent is positioned over the sleeve. A mandrel is inserted into the rod assembly to thereby press the sleeve against the inner surface of the stent and expand the stent. A coating (such as a solvent, a polymer and/or a therapeutic substance) is then applied to the outer (abluminal) surfaces of the stent, by spraying, for example. The sleeve advantageously prevents the coating material from being applied to inner (luminal) surfaces of the stent and also allows the coating material to be efficiently applied to the abluminal surfaces.

Abstract: A sleeve is positioned over a radially-expandable rod assembly and a stent is positioned over the sleeve. A mandrel is inserted into the rod assembly to thereby press the sleeve against the inner surface of the stent and expand the stent. A coating (such as a solvent, a polymer and/or a therapeutic substance) is then applied to the outer (abluminal) surfaces of the stent, by spraying, for example. The sleeve advantageously prevents the coating material from being applied to inner (luminal) surfaces of the stent and also allows the coating material to be efficiently applied to the abluminal surfaces.