COATING DEFECT DETECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CUT-TO-LENGTH CATHETER SHAFTS

Detection of a coating defect on a catheter shaft, by imposing AC voltage between an electrode and a grounding tube, passing the catheter shaft through the grounding tube and through the hole of the electrode, monitoring the voltage between the electrode and the grounding tube, and detecting the coating defect, in case the amplitude of the monitored voltage drops below a threshold value. The electrode defines a hole, which opens from an infeed side of the electrode to an outfeed side of the electrode. A voltage supply provides the AC between the electrode and system ground. A fault detection circuit monitors the electrode. The grounding tube has an outer surface connected to system ground, and is coaxial with the electrode hole, an inward tube end proximate the hole and an outward tube end distal the hole.