Patent ID: 8278593

Claim:
A method for making a device, the method comprising: providing a tubular member having an inner lumen which will be formed into a device, the tubular member being made from a nickel-titanium alloy; masking at least a portion of the surface of the inner lumen of the tubular member with a removable sacrificial material; laser cutting a portion of the tubular member and sacrificial material using a laser device, the laser device utilizing a pressurized inert gas to laser cut the portion of the tubular member and sacrificial material, wherein some dross which adheres to the tubular member is created during laser cutting; applying a chemical solution to the tubular member and sacrificial material which primarily weakens the dross attached to the tubular member; and mechanically removing the sacrificial material from the surface of the tubular member after the chemical solution has weaken the dross attached to the tubular member.