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Publication Number
US-10010436-B2
Publication Date
2018-07-03
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of manufacturing a polymeric stent by forming a pattern on a polymer tube with a laser, where the pattern formed on the polymer tube comprises a plurality of repeating units comprising a plurality of unit cells, each having a V-shaped configuration and polymeric stents formed by the methods. The pattern may be formed on the polymer tube (e.g., polylactic acid tube) using a second harmonic generator laser in which a wavelength ranging from 940 nm to 1552 nm is converted.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a polymeric stent manufactured by forming a pattern on a polymer tube with a laser. The pattern comprises a plurality of repeating units, where each unit cell has a V-shaped configuration and includes a first hinge portion bent inwardly to the unit cell and a second hinge portion facing the first hinge portion and bent outwardly from the unit cell. A linker portion extends outwardly from a bent portion of the second hinge portion.
The repeating units are disposed so that adjacent repeating units are connected through the linker portion and hinge portions, including an end of a linker portion of one repeating unit connected to a bent portion of a first hinge portion of an adjacent repeating unit, or first-end connections between hinge portions of adjacent repeating units. The repeating units are manufactured from a biodegradable polymer, including a target diameter polymeric stent capable of withstanding expansion of up to 1 mm beyond the target diameter without forming fractures or cracks.
The pattern is formed using a second harmonic generator laser in which a wavelength ranging from 940 nm to 1552 nm is converted, with a pulse width of 1 fs to 900 fs and a repetition rate of 2 kHz to 200 kHz. The thickness of the unit cell and the strut of the linker portion is 80 to 120 μm, and a polydispersity index of the polymeric stent ranges from 1 to 2.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims, each centered on the same core stent structure with connected repeating V-shaped unit cells and linker/hinge connectivity, and each further constraining laser processing, polymer property ranges, geometry/thickness, and mechanical expansion performance. Across the independent claims, five main inventive feature areas are specified: repeating V/hinge unit cell connectivity, biodegradable polymer construction, SHG laser with wavelength conversion, ultra-short pulse/repetition rate processing, and unit-cell/linker thickness with polydispersity index range.
Connected repeating V-shaped unit cells with hinge and linker portions
A pattern comprises a plurality of repeating units with unit cells having a V-shaped configuration, including a first hinge portion bent inwardly and a second hinge portion bent outwardly, with a linker portion extended outwardly, wherein an end of a linker portion of one repeating unit is connected to a bent portion of a first hinge portion of an adjacent repeating unit, or first ends of hinge portions of one repeating unit are connected to ends of corresponding hinge portions of an adjacent repeating unit.
Biodegradable polymeric stent with target diameter expansion without fractures or cracks
The repeating units are manufactured from a biodegradable polymer, and the polymeric stent has a target diameter and is capable of withstanding expansion of up to 1 mm beyond the target diameter without forming fractures or cracks.
Second harmonic generator wavelength-converted laser for pattern formation
The pattern is formed on the polymer tube using a second harmonic generator laser in which a wavelength ranging from 940 nm to 1552 nm is converted.
Ultra-short pulse and specified repetition rate laser processing
The laser has a pulse width of 1 fs to 900 fs and a repetition rate of 2 kHz to 200 kHz.
Unit-cell and linker thickness with polydispersity-index range
The thickness of the unit cell and the strut of the linker portion is 80 to 120 μm, and a polydispersity index of the polymeric stent ranges from 1 to 2.
The claims cover a polymeric stent or its manufacture based on connected repeating V-shaped hinge/linker unit cells formed on a biodegradable polymer tube by SHG laser patterning with specified wavelength conversion, pulse width, repetition rate, thickness, and polydispersity index ranges, together with the stated expansion performance.
Stated Advantages
Capable of withstanding expansion of up to 1 mm beyond the target diameter without forming fractures or cracks.
Documented Applications
No documented applications found
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