Patent ID: 7799367

Claim:
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.