	US 7,448,122 B1
	Method of compressing a polymeric layer of an expandable medical device
Arkady Kokish, Los Gatos, Calif. (US); and Steven Nelson, Scotts Valley, Calif. (US)
Assigned to Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., Santa Clara, Calif. (US)
Filed on Oct. 31, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/698,929.
Int. Cl. B23P 11/02 (2006.01); A61F 2/06 (2006.01)

U.S. Cl. 29—450 [29/446; 29/451; 623/1.15]

14 Claims

1. A method of making a polymeric tubular layer of an expandable medical device or component, comprising:

a) placing a polymeric tubular layer having a length in a lumen of a tube, with the polymeric tubular layer in the lumen of the tube being disposed on a mandrel, and the tube and polymeric tubular layer being in a housing;

b) longitudinally stretching the tube to a stretched configuration and restraining the tube in the stretched configuration;

c) attaching the tube in the stretched configuration to the polymeric tubular layer by exposing the tube with the polymeric tubular member therein to a pressurized fluid introduced into the housing, to thereby apply a radially inward force to the tube;

d) unrestraining the tube to release the tube from the stretched configuration so that the length of the tube decreases and thereby longitudinally compresses the polymeric tubular layer;

e) detaching the tube from the compressed polymeric tubular layer; and

f) removing the compressed polymeric tubular layer from the lumen of the tube and from the mandrel, to form the polymeric tubular layer of the expandable medical device.