Vascular stent having increased radiopacity and method for making same
US6471721B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 29, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2250/0098
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A stent for use in a patient's blood vessel to maintain the patency of the vessel contains strategically located radiopaque material. The strategic placement of the radiopaque material in the core structure of the stent functions to enhance the resolution of the stent under fluoroscopy. The initial part of the process includes forming a groove in a piece of tube stock and securing radiopaque material into the groove by press fitting or diffusion bonding. After the securing method, a layer of material can be sputtered coated over the only radiopaque material or over the entire stent. Finally, a pattern of struts and splines is cut into the tube composite to form the stent.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.