Apparatus for the method of manufacturing a stent
US6545748B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 4, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 4, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2240/001
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Disclosed herewithin is an apparatus for fabricating a stent which involves processing a tubular member whereby no connection points to join the edges of a flat pattern are necessary. The apparatus includes a means for mounting a tubular member coated with a photosensitive material, a light source, and a mask or film that exposes a portion of the photosensitive material. This apparatus can be used in conjunction with a process which includes the steps of a) removing contaminates from a tubular member, b) coating the outside surface of the tubular member with a photo-sensitive resist material, c) placing the tubular member in an apparatus designed to simultaneously rotate the tubular member while passing a specially configured photographic frame negative between a light source and the tubular member, thereby exposing a specified pattern of light to the resist coated tubular member, d) exposing the outside surface of the tubular member to a photoresist developer for a specified period of time, e) rinsing the excess developer and uncured resist from the outside surface of the tubular member, f) treating the tubular member with a electro-chemical process to remove uncovered metal. This…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.