USE OF PLATINUM GROUP METALS IN VASCULAR DEVICES AND METHOD OF TEXTURING PLATINUM GROUP METALS

摘要

A method of texturing polycrystalline iridium includes the steps of cold/warm working of the polycrystalline iridium at equal to or below its re-crystallization temperature to break up the polycrystalline structure such that the orientation favors one direction (i.e. the <110> direction), and re-crystallizing the iridium such that a majority of grains are aligned in the preferred direction. The textured polycrystalline material is then used in vascular devices such as stents.