Medical devices, particularly stents, and methods for their manufacture

摘要

A medical device which includes a component formed from an alloy which contains at least about 40% Ni by weight. The alloy in a 10 nm deep surface region of the component contains not more than about 10% Ni by weight. The Ni content in that surface region can be reduced by polishing and oxidizing treatment such as (a) exposure to superheated steam, or (b) immersion in a chemical solution, or (c) an electrochemical treatment, using the device as the anode in a solution bath with a current running therethrough.