LASER PROCESS TO PRODUCE DRUG DELIVERY CHANNEL IN METAL STENTS
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Abstract
A method for forming a stent and for also forming channels in the outer surface of selected regions of the stent structure. The method includes impinging a laser beam generated by a diode pumped Q-switched pulsed Nd/YAG laser operating at the third harmonic on an outer surface of a stent and controllably machining channels in the outer surface of the stent. The depth of the channels may be controlled by adjusting the power and pulse rate of the laser, and also by adjusting the rate at which the stent moves relative to the laser beam.
38 Citations
19 Claims
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1-4. -4. (canceled)
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5. A method for forming a stent, comprising:
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impinging a first laser beam having a wavelength of about 355 nanometers on an outer surface of a tubular member having an outer surface and a tubular wall;
moving the tubular member relative to the first laser beam to cut a channel in a selected portion of the tubular member. impinging a second laser beam on the outer surface of the tubular member thereby causing the laser beam to cut through the tubular wall;
moving the tubular member relative to the second laser beam to cut a stent pattern, the stent pattern incorporating the channel is a selected portion of the stent pattern. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11-14. -14. (canceled)
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15. A method for forming a stent, comprising:
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impinging a laser beam having a wavelength of about 355 nanometers on an outer surface of a tubular member having an outer surface and a tubular wall;
moving the tubular member relative to the laser beam to cut a channel in a selected portion of the tubular member. moving the tubular member relative to the laser beam to cut a stent pattern, the stent pattern incorporating the channel is a selected portion of the stent pattern. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification