Method of manufacturing an implantable stent having improved mechanical properties

A process for manufacturing a stent assembly having improved mechanical properties, the process comprising the steps of:

• providing an oversized tube of an alloy having between approximately 17 and approximately 19 weight percent chromium and between approximately 13 and approximately 15 weight percent nickel;
• cold working the oversized tube by drawing to a selected reduced diameter and wall thickness to a yield strength above about 125 ksi;
• and
• heating said cold-worked tube to a temperature between about 45 percent to about 70 percent of the absolute melting temperature of the alloy for a sufficient time, followed by cooling to produce a material having a yield strength between approximately 50 and approximately 60 ksi, and an elongation above approximately 40 percent.

A process for manufacturing a stent assembly having improved mechanical properties, the process comprising the steps of:

• first, providing an oversized tubular member of an alloy;
• second, drawing the oversized tubular member to a smaller outer diameter and thinner wall to the tube to a yield strength above approximately 125 ksi;
• and
• third, heating the cold-worked tube to a first temperature for a sufficient time, followed by cooling to produce a material having a structure with more than approximately 600 grains per 10−4 square inch.