Method and system for improving the effectiveness of medical stents by the application of gas cluster ion beam technology
US6676989B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 9, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J2237/0812
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Numerous studies suggest that the current popular designs of coronary stents are functionally equivalent and suffer a 16 to 22 percent rate of restenosis. Although the use of coronary stents is growing, the benefits of their use remain controversial in certain clinical situations or indications due to their potential complications. The application of gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) surface modification such as smoothing or cleaning appears to reduce these complications and lead to genuine cost savings and an improvement in patient quality of life. The present invention is directed to the use of GCIB surface modification to overcome prior problems of thrombosis and restenosis. The atomic level surface smoothing of stents utilizing GCIB substantially reduces undesirable surface micro-roughness in medical coronary stents.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.