Patent ID: 6237460
Filing Date: 2001-05-29
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
A method for preparing a self-expanding stent, comprising:a) supplying each reel of a first and second plurality of interposed reels with multiple filaments wound adjacently side by side on the reel, whereby both pluralities have reels with adjacent side by side multiple filaments;b) revolving a first plurality of said interposed reels in a first circumferential direction in a first planetary path about a longitudinal axis, and revolving a second plurality of said interposed reels in a second planetary path about said longitudinal axis in a second circumferential direction opposite to said first direction so as to form a tubular body about said longitudinal axis, said tubular body being radially expansible and retractable between a first diameter, corresponding to a compressed state of the stent, and a second diameter, greater than said first diameter, corresponding to a resting state of the stent, and is axially is expansible and retractable between a first length, corresponding to said compressed state, and a second length, less than said first length, corresponding to said resting state, whereinsaid revolving comprises winding a first plurality of multiple filaments along a first helicoid direction about the longitudinal axis and winding a second plurality of multiple filaments along a second helicoid direction opposite to said first helicoid direction, each multiple filament wound in one of said helicoid directions crossing multiple filaments wound in the other helicoid direction in an over-under manner.