Process for making electroformed stents
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A process for producing a stent by electroforming comprising the steps of:
- coating a mandrel with a resist;
exposing portions of said resist to a light pattern so as to form a stent pattern on said mandrel in said resist;
plating metal onto said mandrel in said stent pattern so as to form a stent; and
dissolving said mandrel.
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Abstract
This invention is directed to an expandable stent useful for implantation into an artery or the like. The stents are made using electroforming techniques in which an electrically-conductive mandrel is coated with a suitable resist material, after which the resist is exposed to an appropriate light pattern and frequency so as to form a stent pattern in the resist. The mandrel is then electroplated with a suitable stent material. The mandrel is etched away once a sufficient layer of stent material is deposited, leaving a completed stent.
241 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A process for producing a stent by electroforming comprising the steps of:
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coating a mandrel with a resist; exposing portions of said resist to a light pattern so as to form a stent pattern on said mandrel in said resist; plating metal onto said mandrel in said stent pattern so as to form a stent; and dissolving said mandrel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A process for producing a stent by electroforming comprising the steps of:
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coating an electrically-conductive mandrel, which mandrel has an exterior surface, with a resist material which is photosensitive onto said exterior surface; exposing portions of said resist material to a light pattern so as to form a stent pattern on said mandrel in said resist; developing said resist material so as to expose a stent pattern on said exterior surface of said mandrel; plating metal onto said mandrel in a stent pattern to form a stent; and dissolving said mandrel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification