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:
Apr. 08, 2008
Filed:
Feb. 02, 2004
Steven A. Fank, Darwin, MN (US);
Kurt C. Swanson, Hutchinson, MN (US);
Paul D. Borscheid, Hutchinson, MN (US);
Kurt S. Kruckman, Glencoe, MN (US);
Steven A. Fank, Darwin, MN (US);
Kurt C. Swanson, Hutchinson, MN (US);
Paul D. Borscheid, Hutchinson, MN (US);
Kurt S. Kruckman, Glencoe, MN (US);
Hutchinson Technology Incorporated, Hutchinson, MN (US);
Abstract
A method for fabricating a tubular article having a wall structure defined by a selected pattern. The method includes the steps of providing a tube having an outer surface and an inner surface; coating the outer surface with first photosensitive resist; exposing the selected pattern portions of the coated outer surface; developing the first photosensitive resist coated on the outer surface; coating the inner surface with second photosensitive resist; and exposing the tube to an etchant to form a tubular article having the wall structure defined by the selected pattern. The second photosensitive resist is more brittle than the first photosensitive resist when the first and second photosensitive resist are dry. An apparatus for exposing a photosensitive resist-coated tube to laser. The device includes an elongated tubular member having an aperture extending through its wall. The outside diameter of the elongated tubular member is smaller than the inside diameter of the tube, so that the elongated tubular member can be positioned inside the tube without touching the inner surface of the tube. The apparatus further includes a laser beam and a reflective member for transmitting the laser beam to selected pattern portions of the coated inner surface of the tube through the aperture of the elongated tubular member.