Intratherapeutics, Inc.

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Cardia Catheter Company

James V Donadio, Iii

Robert S Schwartz

David A Berry

David R Holmes, Iii

J Edward Shapland

Thomas L Clubb

Mark Owen Dustrude

Frederick S Halverson

Elizabeth A Clubb

A generally tubular device (e.g., a stent or catheter) for placement in a lumen of a patient's body is made by forming a depressed pattern in an external surface of a mold. The depressed pattern corresponds to a desired shape of the generally tubular device. A material is deposited in the depressed pattern for the material to form the generally tubular device conforming to the depressed pattern. The generally tubular device is separated from the mold.

Method for manufacturing intraluminal device

Manufacturing 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.

Method for making a tubular stent for use in medical applications

Method for manufacturing a tubular medical device

A method for implanting a stent within a body passageway defined by a body wall. The method includes the step of fabricating the stent in an initial orientation in which the stent has an initial diameter and an initial length. The method also includes the step of collapsing the stent radially inward from the initial orientation to a collapsed orientation in which the stent has a collapsed length and a collapsed diameter. The stent is collapsed by deforming a portion of the stent beyond the elastic limit of the portion of the stent. The method further includes the step of positioning the collapsed stent at a desired location within the body passageway. Additionally, the method includes the step of expanding the stent radially outward from the collapsed orientation to a deployed orientation in which the stent has a deployed diameter and a deployed length. The deployed diameter and the deployed length are respectively substantially equal to the initial diameter and the initial length. The stent is expanding by deforming the portion of the stent beyond the elastic limit of the portion of the stent.

Method for collapsing a stent

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a tubular medical device for insertion in a body. The method includes the step cutting a plurality of cross-sectional pieces or layers from a flat sheet. The pieces are cut so as to define inner apertures. The pieces are then aligned generally along an axis such that the pieces are arranged to form an elongated structure having an interior lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. Finally, the aligned pieces of the elongated structure are connected together such that each interconnected piece forms a layer of the tubular medical device.

Method for making a stent

Flexible tubular device for use in medical applications

An apparatus for use as a catheter, a guidewire, a catheter sheath for use with catheter introducers or a drug infusion catheter/guidewire. The apparatus includes a flexible tubular member with an encasing covering the tubular member that creates a fluid-tight seal around the periphery of the tubular member. The tubular member is self-supporting and includes a plurality of apertures therein in a predetermined configuration to increase the flexibility of the tubular member.

An apparatus for use as a catheter guidewire and a method for making a catheter guidewire. The apparatus comprises an elongate non-coiled wire having a proximal portion, a distal tip and a flexible portion located between the proximal portion and the distal tip having axially spaced grooves cut therein. The method for making the guidewire includes burnishing one end of a wire to create a rounded distal tip and cutting a predetermined pattern of axially spaced grooves in a length of wire adjacent to the distal tip to create a flexible portion.

Growing community of inventors

Chaska, MN, United States of America

James V Donadio, Iii