Abstract

In the stent theory for the medical applications, especially in coronary heart disease, the metallic stent of high quality demands the ability for precision micromaterial processing. It possesses an inherent advantage of adequate radiopacity. This paper describes the current status as well as fabrication of such metallic stent of length 20 mm and dia. 2.1 mm with an annular tube thickness of 0.2 mm, by using the short pulse Nd-YAG laser. Fine structures with slit width of 0.1 mm and pitch better than 0.2 mm are created with sharpness and low roughness in the cut surface. Some features on the reduced heat affected zone and dross removal process of the cut surfaces of the stent as well as a few techniques on preventing restenosis are well documented.

© 2003 SPIE