Method of manufacturing a stent
US6726829B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 27, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 6, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2230/0026
- 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 process includes the steps of: a) preparing the surface of 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, d) exposing the tubular member to a photoresist developer, e) rinsing the excess developer and uncured resist from the exposed tubular member, f) sealing the inner lumen of the tubular member, and g) treating the tubular member with a chemical or electro-chemical process to remove uncovered metal. By modifying the photographic negative, this process can be employed to fabricate a virtually unlimited number of stent designs and configurations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.