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AssigneeInflow Dynamics Inc.
InventorsTorsten Scheuermann, Lutz Stehling
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In a process for producing a biocompatible stent, a tubular substrate of the stent adapted for diametric expansion has a layer of a noble metal oxide formed over at least the outer surface of greater diameter of the substrate, the substrate being composed of a metal or an alloy thereof that is non-noble or less-noble than the layer's noble metal. An interface region adapted to prevent corrosion and to provide a firm bond between the surface of the substrate and the noble metal oxide layer is established, at least in part, by forming the noble metal oxide layer with a progressively varying concentration of noble metal-to-oxide with depth of the layer such that a surface of pure noble metal and negligible oxide of the layer is in closest proximity to the surface of the substrate. In one embodiment of the process, the interface region is established by forming the surface of pure noble metal and negligible oxide thereof in direct contact with the metal or alloy of the substrate surface. In another, the interface region is established by first creating an oxide of the substrate metal or alloy thereof at the substrate surface, and then forming the noble metal oxide layer as above, but in contact with the substrate metal or alloy oxide. Alternatively, the noble metal oxide layer has no progressively varying concentration but simply overlies an oxide of the substrate metal or alloy.
In a process for producing a biocompatible stent, providing a tubular substrate adapted for diametric expansion, forming a layer of a noble metal oxide over at least the outer surface of greater diameter of said substrate, said substrate being composed of a metal or an alloy thereof that is non-noble or less-noble than said noble metal, and at least partly establishing an interface region adapted to prevent corrosion and to provide a firm bond between said surface of the substrate and said noble metal oxide layer by forming the noble metal oxide layer with a progressively varying concentration of noble metal-to-oxide with depth of said layer such that a surface of pure noble metal and negligible oxide of said layer is in closest proximity to said surface of the substrate.
A process for producing a coated stent, comprising the steps of forming a metal oxide region at a surface of the stent metal substrate;
A coated stent, comprising a metallic substrate;
A multi-layer stent, comprising:
A process for producing a stent coated with iridium oxide where the stent metal is less noble than iridium, comprising the steps of coating the iridium oxide on an outer surface of the stent by forming an interface to enhance firm bonding without corrosion between the stent and the iridium oxide coating while preventing direct contact between bare metal of the stent and any iridium oxide compound of the coating.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.