Method and apparatus for manufacturing medical support devices

Abstract

Method for producing a coated medical support device capable of insertion into the body, the method including the procedures of applying a coating to a section of a work-piece, positioning the work-piece in the vicinity of an electromagnetic field generator, and substantially proximate a forming mandrel, inducing electromagnetic forces in the work-piece which accelerate the work-piece toward the forming mandrel, and forming the work-piece to a medical support device, by changing the original physical configuration of the work-piece to a second physical configuration, the forming mandrel having a mandrel physical configuration, the second physical configuration being influenced by the mandrel physical configuration.

1 . Medical support device capable of insertion into the body, the medical support device comprising: 
 a work-piece, formed into a medical support device shape by positioning said work-piece in the vicinity of an electromagnetic field substantially proximate a forming mandrel, by inducing electromagnetic forces in said work-piece and by changing the physical configuration of said work-piece according to said forming mandrel; and    at least one coating, coating at least one section of said work-piece.    
   
   
       2 . The medical support device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one section comprises sections on said work-piece, said sections being located on different sides of said work-piece.  
   
   
       3 . The medical support device according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one coating coats said work-piece at different thicknesses.  
   
   
       4 . The medical support device according to  claim 1 , wherein said medical support device shape includes a plurality of perforations.  
   
   
       5 . The medical support device according to  claim 1 , wherein the final configuration of said work-piece, is substantially cylindrical.  
   
   
       6 . The medical support device according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least one coating is overlaid on said at least one coating.  
   
   
       7 . The medical support device according to  claim 1 , wherein said work-piece is made of a material selected from the list consisting of: 
 shape memory material;    super elastic material;    stainless steel;    alloy;    polymeric material; and    biocompatible material.    
   
   
       8 . The medical support device according to claim  12 , wherein said at least one coating is a substance selected from the list consisting of: 
 sirolimus;    taxol;    actinomycin D;    N. O. donors;    dexamethasone;    heparin;    hirudin;    iloprost;    metallo-proteinase inhibitors;    platelet glycoprotein 2b/3a antagonist;    genes;    cells;    silicone;    silicone carbide;    phosphorylcholine;    carbide;    carbofilm™;    titanium-nitride-oxide    expandable polytetrafluorethylene membrane;    gold; and    polyethylene oxide.