Abbott Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.

Abbott Laboratories Corporation

Sophia L Wong

Zhicheng Lin

Alan Gene Tahran

William Earl Webler, Jr

Anthony S Andreacchi

Kevin Joe Ehrenreich

Dariush Davalian

William E Webler, Jr

Michael R Bialas

Robert P Barbier

David P Strauss

Duane M DeMore

Denis Tauz

Randolph Von Oepen

Christoph Diederichs

Nicholas R Haluck

Patrick C Vien

Alan G Tahran

Superelastic and/or shape memory nickel-titanium alloys having an increased fatigue life that is superior to known nickel-titanium alloys are disclosed. The nickel-titanium alloys have a minimum fatigue life that may be at least about 10 million strain cycles at a strain greater than about 0.75%. The minimum fatigue life may be due, at least in part, to the nickel-titanium alloy having at least one of an oxygen concentration of less than about 200 ppm, a carbon concentration of less than about 200 ppm, the absence of oxide-based and/or carbide-based inclusions having a size greater than about 5 microns (&#x3bc;m), the presence of an R-phase, or combinations of the foregoing. Articles manufactured from such fatigue-resistant nickel-titanium alloys can be more durable because they are more resistant to repetitive strain and crack propagation.

Fatigue-resistant nickel-titanium alloys and medical devices using same

Systems and methods for electropolishing devices are disclosed. The electropolishing system includes electropolishing fixtures configured to reposition the devices during the electropolishing process.

Electropolishing method including multi-finger contacts

An electropolishing fixture with a plunger mechanism. The plunger mechanism can establish contact between a device and an anode mandrel during an electropolishing process while the device is immersed in an electrolytic bath.

Electropolishing fixture with plunger mechanism

A system and method is described for electropolishing tubular metallic prostheses. In one aspect, the system provides a continuously changing set of points of contact between anode and prosthesis. In another aspect, the cathode is given a conical shape to correct for current concentrations that would otherwise exist and unevenly affect the amount of electropolishing over the length of the prosthesis.

System and method for electropolising devices

A substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solution that includes at least one sulfate salt. The substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solutions described herein do not use water as a solvent; instead, such electropolishing electrolyte solutions use anhydrous alcohols and/or glycols as a solvent. For example, an electropolishing electrolyte solution, as described herein, may include an alcohol, at least one mineral acid, and at least one sulfate salt. The at least one sulfate salt can act as a source of sulfate ions to replenish sulfate ions consumed in the electropolishing process. Anhydrous sulfate salts can also act as water scavengers by reacting with water to form sulfate salt hydrates. Methods of electropolishing metal articles using such electropolishing electrolyte solutions are disclosed herein as well.

Electropolishing solution containing a sulfate salt and methods of use thereof

Substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solutions. The substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solutions described herein do not use water as a solvent; instead, such electropolishing electrolyte solutions use anhydrous alcohols and/or glycols as a solvent. For example, an electropolishing electrolyte solution, as described herein, may include an alcohol, at least one mineral acid, and at least one water sequestering agent. Suitable examples of water sequestering agent include, but are not limited to, polyfunctional alcohols. Methods of electropolishing metal articles using such electropolishing electrolyte solutions are disclosed herein as well.

Electropolishing solution containing a water sequestering agent and methods of use thereof

Substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solutions. The substantially anhydrous electropolishing electrolyte solutions described herein do not use water as a solvent; instead, such electropolishing electrolyte solutions use anhydrous alcohols and/or glycols as a solvent. For example, an electropolishing electrolyte solution, as described herein, may include an alcohol, at least one mineral acid, and phosphorous pentoxide ('PO'). Methods of electropolishing metal articles using such electropolishing electrolyte solutions are disclosed herein as well.

Electropolishing solution containing phosphorous pentoxide and methods of use thereof

Superelastic and/or shape memory nickel-titanium alloys having an increased fatigue life that is superior to known nickel-titanium alloys are disclosed. The nickel-titanium alloys have a minimum fatigue life that may be at least about 10 million strain cycles at a strain of at least about 0.75. The minimum fatigue life may be due, at least in part, to the nickel-titanium alloy having at least one of an oxygen concentration of less than about 200 ppm, a carbon concentration of less than about 200 ppm, the absence of oxide-based and/or carbide-based inclusions having a size greater than about 5 microns (&#x3bc;m), the presence of an R-phase, or combinations of the foregoing. Articles manufactured from such fatigue-resistant nickel-titanium alloys can be more durable because they are more resistant to repetitive strain and crack propagation.

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Milpitas, CA, United States of America

Sophia L Wong