Method to prevent stent damage caused by laser cutting

摘要

Apparatus, method and system for cutting a polymeric stent including the use of a polymeric mandrel as a laser shielding device. The polymeric mandrel is allowed to roll freely within a polymeric tube that is cut into a polymeric stent.

主权项

1. A method of producing a polymeric stent, the method comprising:
positioning a polymeric mandrel and polymeric tube relative to one another such that the polymeric mandrel is within the polymeric tube and in contact with the polymeric tube inside surface, thereby forming a tubing-mandrel assembly, wherein the polymeric tube has a first end and a second end; cutting the polymeric tube while the polymeric mandrel is positioned within the polymeric tube with a laser to form a stent, wherein during the cutting the polymeric tube rotates and the polymeric mandrel rolls on the inside surface of the polymeric tube in response to an angular force from the rotation of the polymeric tube, and wherein there are imperfections including bumps on the inside surface of the polymeric tube or on an outer surface of the polymeric mandrel contacting the polymeric tube which cause the polymeric mandrel to have a bouncy, irregular, motion during the rolling; and removing the stent from the mandrel.