Patent ID: 8366762
Filing Date: 2013-02-05
Classification: A61F,B29C,B29L

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing a stent, comprising: selectively heating a selected region of a scaffolding of a stent made of a polymer to modify a material property in the selected region of the scaffolding that has a variable strain profile under applied stress, wherein the modification accommodates the variable strain profile of the scaffolding by reducing or preventing mechanical instability when the scaffolding is under applied stress, and wherein the scaffolding of the stent includes a network of interconnecting struts, wherein the scaffolding is formed by laser cutting the network into a tube made of the polymer, wherein the region includes a portion of a surface of the scaffolding, and wherein selectively heating the selected region of the scaffolding comprises applying heat to the surface of the scaffolding, the heat being applied without dispensing material on the surface.