[54] METHOD FOR MAKING A TUBULAR STENT FOR USE IN MEDICAL APPLICATIONS
[75] Inventor: James V. Donadio, III, Chaska, Minn.
[73] Assignee: Intra Therapeutics, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.
[ * ] Notice: This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
[21] Appl. No.: 09/049,244 [22] Filed: Mar. 27, 1998
Related U.S. Application Data
[63] Continuation of application No. 08/645,850, May 14, 1996, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 08/455,331, May 31,1995, Pat. No. 5,741,429, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 08/329,691, Oct. 26, 1994, Pat. No. 5,573,520, which is a continuation of application No. 07/940,657, Sep. 4,1992, abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of application No. 07/755,614, Sep. 5, 1991, abandoned.
[51] Int. CI.7 G03F 9/00; G03F 7/22
[52] U.S. CI 430/320; 430/396; 430/397
[58] Field of Search 430/311, 313,
430/320, 396, 397
Manulacturing processes for apparatus, including slotted hypotube, for use as a catheter, a guidewire, a catheter sheath for use with catheter introducers or a drug infusion catheter/ guidewire are disclosed. The manufacturing process includes creating a pattern of slots or apertures in a flexible metallic tubular member, by processes including but not limited to, electrostatic discharge machining (EDM), chemical milling, ablation and laser cutting. These slots or apertures may be cut completely or partially through the wall of the flexible metallic tubular member. These manufacturing processes may include the additional step of encasing the flexible metallic member such that a fluid tight seal is formed around the periphery of the tubular member.
8 Claims, 17 Drawing Sheets
