Patent ID: 8313791

Claim:
A method for spraying a coating composition on a stent, the stent having a first end and opposing second end and respective first and second ring structures disposed at each end, a bore, a bore diameter and a bore axis, comprising: mounting the stent on a mandrel support having a rotation axis including disposing a collar of the mandrel within the stent bore, the collar having a diameter that is less than the bore diameter so that the stent is free to move laterally relative to the collar, the stent resting on a surface of the collar, and the mandrel including a drive pin; rotating the mandrel; spraying the coating composition on the stent; and applying a force to the stent by the drive pin of the rotating mandrel striking the first end of the stent to thereby impart rotating motion to the stent about the rotation axis, whereupon after the stent has rotated through an angle the stent separates from the collar and the drive pin.