Patent ID: 7981258
Filing Date: 2011-07-19
Classification: A61F,C22F,C23C

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a stent, comprising placing in a magnetron sputtering device, a mandrel having an exposed, etchable outer layer that corresponds to an open, interior volume of the stent to be formed; applying structural members to the mandrel; providing the magnetron sputtering device with a TiNi alloy target; sputtering depositing material from the TiNi alloy target to the mandrel with said applied structural members thereon, the TiNi alloy target being adjacent to the mandrel; during said sputter depositing, moving the mandrel relative to the TiNi alloy target, to achieve uniform sputter deposition over the exposed outer layer of the mandrel; continuing said sputtering until a desired thin-film thickness is formed on the mandrel and the structural members form structural members in the stent; heating the thin-film on the mandrel under annealing conditions; and releasing the thin-film so formed from the mandrel, wherein the released thin-film forms the stent and wherein the stent demonstrates a stress/strain recovery greater that 3% at 37C.