초록 ▼

A stent and a method for fabricating the stent are disclosed. The stent has an originally flat pattern and connection points where the sides of the flat pattern are joined. The method includes the steps of a) cutting a stent pattern into a flat piece of metal thereby to produce a metal pattern, b) d

A stent and a method for fabricating the stent are disclosed. The stent has an originally flat pattern and connection points where the sides of the flat pattern are joined. The method includes the steps of a) cutting a stent pattern into a flat piece of metal thereby to produce a metal pattern, b) deforming the metal pattern so as to cause two opposing sides to meet, and c) joining the two opposing sides at least at one point. Substantially no portion of the stent projects into the lumen of the stent when the stent is expanded against the internal wall of a blood vessel.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for fabricating a stent, comprising:a) a base having a platform adapted to receive a flat sheet of metal to be formed into said stent, said flat sheet of metal having a longitudinal axis, a first major surface, a second major surface, a first long side, and a se

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] Apparatus for fabricating a stent, comprising:a) a base having a platform adapted to receive a flat sheet of metal to be formed into said stent, said flat sheet of metal having a longitudinal axis, a first major surface, a second major surface, a first long side, and a second long side, said first and said second long sides substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said stent;b) a mandrel having a substantially cylindrical external surface and having a first end and a second end defining a longitudinal axis, said mandrel sized to have a cross-sectional diameter substantially equal to or less than the internal diameter of said stent to be fabricated;c) means for securing said mandrel against a major surface of said flat sheet of metal;d) a plurality of deforming blades disposed around the periphery of said mandrel for deforming said flat sheet of metal against said external surface of said mandrel so that said flat sheet of metal is deformed into a substantially tubular shape, said blades disposed between said first end and said second end of said mandrel, each of said deforming blades adapted for independent and selective movement in a first direction toward said mandrel and a second direction away from said mandrel so as to selectively impinge upon said mandrel or upon a portion of said sheet disposed between said mandrel and each of said deforming blades, each of said deforming blades further adapted so that said first long side and said second lone side of said sheet remain substantially parallel to each other when said stent is deformed into said tubular shape;e) means for selectively moving each of said deforming blades in a first direction toward said mandrel and in a second direction away from said mandrel; andf) means for securing said first long side of said sheet to said second lone side of said sheet, wherein a plurality of said deforming blades are adapted to secure said first long side and said second long side against said external surface of said mandrel while permitting a laser to contact said first long side and said second long side to secure said first long side to said second lone side, and wherein a plurality of said deforming blades are provided with a plurality of scalloped apertures, said apertures sized and disposed to permit said plurality of blades to secure said first long side and said second long side against said external surface of said mandrel while providing access to said laser to predetermined portions of said first side and said long side to secure said first long side to said second long side.