Flexible tubular device for use in medical applications

A method for producing a flexible tubular medical device comprising:

• providing a tubular element sized for intravascular insertion in a human body, the tubular element including an outer surface;
• providing a light source;
• applying a photoresist to at least a portion of the outer surface of the tubular element;
• providing a pattern mask intermediate the tubular element and the light source;
• exposing the photoresist by directing light from the light source through the mask;
• rotating the tubular element about its longitudinal axis;
• translating the mask across the tubular element;
• coordinating the operation of the light source with the movement of the tubular element and the mask such that an exposed pattern and an unexposed pattern are generated on the outer surface of the tubular element;
• developing the photoresist to remove first regions of the photoresist that correspond to one of the exposed and unexposed patterns;
• and
• removing first portions of the tubular element that correspond to the first regions of the photoresist such that the tubular element is provided with a desired pattern, the desired pattern including a plurality of apertures that extend completely through the tubular element between an inner and outer diameter of the tubular element, the plurality of apertures being arranged and configured for providing the tubular element with a desired flexibility suitable for intravascular operations.