Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
48 words
A method for making a composite stent comprising: (a) providing a flat wire band formed into a zig-zag pattern; (b) applying a polymeric film to the flat wire band; and (c) bending the band and polymeric film into a generally cylindrical shape with open proximal and distal ends.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
48 words
A method for making a composite stent comprising: (a) providing a flat wire band formed into a zig-zag pattern; (b) applying a polymeric film to the flat wire band; and (c) bending the band and polymeric film into a generally cylindrical shape with open proximal and distal ends.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing strain relief between the zig-zags.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 in which the step of providing strain relief comprises cutting the film from an edge of the film inward toward the wire band.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for making a stent comprising: (a) providing a flat wire band formed into a zig-zag pattern; (b) attaching a polymeric film to the flat wire band; (c) attaching a therapeutic substance to at least one side of the polymeric film; and (d) bending the preform and polymeric film into a generally cylindrical shape with open proximal and distal ends.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
61 words
A method for making a stent comprising: (a) providing a flat wire band formed into a zig-zag pattern; (b) attaching a polymeric film to the flat wire band; (c) attaching a therapeutic substance to at least one side of the polymeric film; and (d) bending the preform and polymeric film into a generally cylindrical shape with open proximal and distal ends.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 4 also comprising the step of incorporating the therapeutic substance into microcapsules.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4 also comprising the step of attaching a second therapeutic substance to a second side of the polymeric file.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for making a stent comprising: (a) depositing drug-containing microcapsules into a mold; (b) applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the mold into contact with the microcapsules; (c) evaporating the solvent from the polymer solution in the mold to make a polymeric film with the microcapsules bound to the film; and (d) securing the polymeric film to a stent.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for making a stent comprising: (a) depositing drug-containing microcapsules into a mold; (b) applying a solution of a polymer and a solvent into the mold into contact with the microcapsules; (c) evaporating the solvent from the polymer solution in the mold to make a polymeric film with the microcapsules bound to the film; and (d) securing the polymeric film to a stent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the step of securing the polymeric film to a stent comprises: (a) providing a flat stent preform; (b) bonding the polymeric film to the preform; and (c) bending the preform and polymeric film into a generally cylindrical shape with open proximal and distal ends.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the polymer is a polyurethane.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the step of securing the polymeric film to a stent comprises: (a) placing the stent into contact with the polymeric film; (b) applying a coating of a solution of the polymer and solvent onto the stent and polymeric film; and (c) evaporating the solvent from the polymer solution on the stent and polymeric film.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for making a stent comprising: (a) providing a metal stent having an expandable zig-zag portion; (b) providing a stretchable polymeric film; (c) placing the stent zig-zag portion into contact with the polymeric film; (c) applying a coating of a solution of the polymer and a solvent onto the contacting stent zig-zag portion and film; and (d) evaporating the solvent from the polymer solution on the stent zig-zag portion and polymeric film.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for making a stent comprising: (a) providing a metal stent having an expandable zig-zag portion; (b) providing a stretchable polymeric film; (c) placing the stent zig-zag portion into contact with the polymeric film; (c) applying a coating of a solution of the polymer and a solvent onto the contacting stent zig-zag portion and film; and (d) evaporating the solvent from the polymer solution on the stent zig-zag portion and polymeric film.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the step of providing the polymeric film comprises: (a) applying a solution of the polymer and the solvent into a mold; and (b) evaporating the solvent from the polymer solution in the mold.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11 also comprising the step of bending the stent zig-zag portion and attached polymeric film into a generally cylindrical shape with open proximal and distal ends.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the polymer is a polyurethane.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 11 wherein a drug is applied to the solution of the polymer and solvent on the stent preform before the solvent is evaporated.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the drug is applied in microcapsule form.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for making a stent comprising: (a) providing a flat, elongated stent preform having an expandable zig-zag therein; (b) attaching a stretchable polymeric film to the preform such that the polymeric film is bound to the zig-zags and matches the contour of the preform; and (d) forming the preform and polymeric film into a helix with open proximal and distal ends.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
62 words
A method for making a stent comprising: (a) providing a flat, elongated stent preform having an expandable zig-zag therein; (b) attaching a stretchable polymeric film to the preform such that the polymeric film is bound to the zig-zags and matches the contour of the preform; and (d) forming the preform and polymeric film into a helix with open proximal and distal ends.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 wherein the polymeric film is attached such that the zig-zags are enclosed in the film.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 17 wherein strain relief is provided by cutting the film at one or more bend points in the zig-zags.