The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 12, 1999
Filed:
Jan. 21, 1997
John K Eckert, Boyertown, PA (US);
Jeffrey M Farina, Zionsville, PA (US);
Joseph P Gadda, Brick Township, NJ (US);
Jeffrey C Kelly, Wilmington, DE (US);
John G Thomas, Berwyn, PA (US);
UTI Corporation, Collegeville, PA (US);
Abstract
A multilayer composite tubular structure for use as a stent in surgical procedures has an outer layer of biocompatible material, a middle layer of radiopaque material, and an inner layer of biocompatible material. The layers are metallurgically bonded, to form a composite stent which is ductile and permits large deformation without delamination between the biocompatible and radiopaque layers. The composite structure formed is visible on a fluoroscope, yet does not obstruct the details of the stent itself, or of the anatomical features surrounding the stent. A process of forming a multilayer composite tubular structure is also disclosed. A tube formed from radiopaque material is coaxially surrounded by a tube of biocompatible material. The tubes are simultaneously reduced, such as by tube drawing, swaging, or deep drawing, until a composite structure of a desirable diameter and wall thickness is formed. The tubes are then heat treated to cause diffusion bonding of the biocompatible and radiopaque layers.