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United States Patent 6,440,503
Merdan ,   et al. August 27, 2002

Laser deposition of elements onto medical devices

Abstract

Devices and methods for fabricating medical devices are disclosed. A device in accordance with the present inventions includes a laser beam source capable of producing a laser beam, a carrier coupled to a carrier motion actuator capable of moving the carrier relative to the laser beam, and a workpiece motion actuator capable of moving a workpiece relative the laser beam. A method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of positioning the carrier between the laser beam source and the workpiece, illuminating a portion of the carrier with the laser beam, moving the carrier relative to the laser beam, and moving the workpiece relative to the laser beam.


Inventors: Merdan; Kenneth M. (Greenfield, MN); Shapovalov; Vitaliy N. (New Hope, MN)
Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc. (Maple Grove, MN)
Appl. No.: 513547
Filed: February 25, 2000

Current U.S. Class: 427/561; 427/596; 427/597; 219/121.78; 219/121.81; 219/121.82
Intern'l Class: C23C 014/02; C23C 014/28; C23C 014/32; B23K 026/08
Field of Search: 427/596,597,561 219/121.78,121.81,121.82


References Cited

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5065697Nov., 1991Yoshida et al.427/597.
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6121991Sep., 2000Paz-Pujalt et al.347/172.
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406172979Jun., 1994JP427/586.


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Primary Examiner: Padgett; Marianne
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Crompton, Seager & Tufte LLC

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