Nitinol frame heating and setting mandrel
AssigneeAbbott Vascular Solutions Inc.
InventorsBoris Anukhin, Masoud Molaei, David Pollock
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for heating and setting elements of a stent. The apparatus is a mandrel having a central core cylinder with an outer surface including a plurality of raised forms and gaps in-between the raised forms. The mandrel also includes a first and second outer cylinder, each having a curved radial end with a cut-out design similar to the shape of the plurality of raised forms. Once a stent is placed on the central core cylinder, the first and second outer cylinders are positioned on the central core cylinder such that the curved radial ends of the first and second outer cylinders align with the plurality of raised forms, shaping the stent.
Claims21
1-9. (canceled)
A method of forming a stent using a mandrel having an outer surface with raised forms having an almond shape, comprising:
- placing the stent on the mandrel and directing limb elements of the stent around the raised forms;
- and
- applying heat to set the shape of the stent.
A method of forming a stent using a mandrel having an outer surface with raised forms, and first and second outer cylinders having curved radial ends, comprising:
- placing the stent on the mandrel and directing limb elements of the stent around the raised forms;
- placing the first and second outer cylinders on opposite ends of the mandrel such that the curved radial ends force the stent into the shape of the raised forms;
- and
- applying heat to set the shape of the stent.
An apparatus for heating and setting hooks of a stent, comprising a mandrel having an outer surface with a plurality of slots disposed thereon corresponding to the position of hooks on the stent.
A method for setting hooks of a stent using a mandrel having an outer surface with a plurality of slots, comprising:
- turning the stent inside-out;
- positioning the stent on the mandrel such that the hooks are aligned with the plurality of slots;
- pushing the hooks into the slots;
- and
- applying heat to set the hooks.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.