Controlled deformation of a polymer tube in fabricating a medical article
First Claim
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1. A method for fabricating an implantable medical device comprising:
- disposing a polymer tube having an outer surface within an annular mold member, the annular mold member including at least three radially movable restraining members having respective abutting surfaces, the restraining members configured for being displaced radially outward when the tube is radially expanded within the mold member;
radially expanding the tube, wherein the restraining members apply a radial restraining force on the expanding tube as the outer surface of the tube contacts the abutting surfaces and displaces the restraining members radially outward; and
fabricating the implantable medical device from the expanded tube.
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Abstract
Methods of manufacturing a medical article that include radial deformation of a polymer tube are disclosed. A medical article, such as an implantable medical device or an inflatable member, may be fabricated from a deformed tube.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method for fabricating an implantable medical device comprising:
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disposing a polymer tube having an outer surface within an annular mold member, the annular mold member including at least three radially movable restraining members having respective abutting surfaces, the restraining members configured for being displaced radially outward when the tube is radially expanded within the mold member; radially expanding the tube, wherein the restraining members apply a radial restraining force on the expanding tube as the outer surface of the tube contacts the abutting surfaces and displaces the restraining members radially outward; and fabricating the implantable medical device from the expanded tube. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for fabricating a stent comprising:
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providing a mold including at least three radial restraining members having abutting surfaces, the restraining members being adapted to displace radially outward within a fixed-walled cavity portion of the mold when a radial outward force is applied to the abutting surfaces; disposing a polymer tube within the mold; disposing the abutting surfaces of the restraining members at about the outer surface of the tube; radially expanding the tube, wherein the restraining members apply a radial restraining force on the expanding tube in response to the outer surface of the tube contacting the abutting surfaces and displacing the restraining members radially outward; and fabricating the stent from the expanded tube. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification