Method of creating features and patterns in a surface of an article
AssigneeVactronix Scientific, LLC
InventorsScott P. Carpenter, Michael Poor, Julio C. Palmaz
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods of forming topographical features on an article, for example on a medical devices that has a surface configured to promote the migration of cells onto the surface of the medical device. In particular, the resulting surface of the medical device has noncontiguous features formed therein or thereon.
Claims20
A method of creating features in a surface of a tubular article, comprising the steps of:
- a. coating photoresist onto the surface of the tubular article;
- b. patterning the topographical features onto the photoresist by mounting the photoresist coated article on an optically transmissive mount surface having a photomask disposed thereupon, the photomask defining the features, the mount surface being disposed between a light source and the tubular article;
- c. exposing the photoresist with the features by applying light from the light source through the optically transmissive mount surface and onto the photoresist coated tubular article;
- d. removing the tubular article from the optically transmissive mount surface;
- e. developing the photoresist to reveal the exposed features on the surface of the tubular article;
- and
- f. forming the topographical features on the tubular article from the exposed features.
The method of claim, wherein the step of coating the surface of the tubular article with photoresist further comprises at least one of dipping, spraying, spinning, and electrodeposition.
The method of claim, wherein the step of mounting the photosensitized photoresist coated tubular article on the mount surface further comprises the step of intimately contacting the mount surface with the surface of the tubular article.
The method of claim, wherein the step of applying light from the light source further comprises the step of applying ultraviolet light from an ultraviolet light source.
The method of claim, wherein the step of forming the exposed pattern comprises at least one of wet chemical etching, dry chemical etching, wet chemical polishing, dry chemical polishing, and electrochemical machining.
The method of claim, wherein the step of forming the topographical features further comprises the step of machining the exposed features to a desired depth.
The method of claim, further comprising the step of repeating the patterning, exposing, and forming steps with additional photomasked mounting surfaces to achieve multiple-depth features on the article.
The method of claim, further comprising, after machining, the step of removing the remaining photoresist from the article, either chemically or mechanically.
The method of claim, wherein the topographical features further comprise grooves, dots, divots, pores, or holes.
The method of claim, wherein the tubular article further comprises a stent, stent-graft, graft, heart valve, venous valve, filter, occlusion device, catheter, sheath, osteal implant, implantable contraceptive, implantable antitumor pellet or rod, shunt, patch, pacemaker, needle, temporary fixation rod, medical wire, or medical tube.
A method of creating features on an outer surface of a tubular article, comprising the steps of:
- a. coating at least the outer surface of the tubular article with photoresist;
- b. mounting the photoresist coated tubular article on an optically transmissive mandrel having a photomask disposed thereon, the mandrel disposed between a light source and the tubular article;
- c. applying light from the light source through the photomask on the optically transmissive mandrel and onto the photoresist coated tubular article, wherein the photomask has a pattern corresponding to a positive or negative of the topographical features;
- d. removing the tubular article from the photomasked mandrel;
- and
- e. developing the photoresist to reveal a pattern imparted by the photomasked optically transmissive mandrel.
The method of claim, wherein the step of coating the outer surface of the tubular article stent with photoresist further comprises the step of at least one of dipping, spraying, spinning, and electrodeposition of the photoresist on the inside surface of the tubular article.
The method of claim, wherein she step of mounting the tubular article on the mandrel further comprises the step of intimately contacting the optically transmissive mandrel with the photoresist on the outer surface of the tubular article.
The method of claim, wherein the step of mounting the stent on the mandrel further comprises the step of utilizing an interference fit between the mandrel and the tubular article to obtain intimate contact between the mandrel and the photoresist on the outer surface of the tubular article.
The method of claim, wherein the interference fit is obtained by shape memory properties of the tubular article.
The method of claim, wherein the light source is an ultraviolet light source.
The method of claim, wherein the step of developing the photoresist further comprises the step of at least one of wet chemical etching, dry chemical etching, wet chemical polishing, dry chemical polishing, and electrochemical machining.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.