Method and apparatus for manufacturing medical support devices

Abstract

Method for producing a medical support device from an object, using an electromagnetic field generator, whereby the method comprises of the steps of placing a formation mandrel against the object, close to a predetermined formation area, and applying the electromagnetic field to the formation area, thereby forming the object. The produced object can be made from a tubular segment, a folded sheet of material or a plurality of wires joined together.

1 . Method for producing a medical support device from at least one object, using an electromagnetic field generator, the method comprising the steps of: 
 placing a forming mandrel against said at least one object in the vicinity of a predetermined formation area; and    applying at least one electromagnetic field on said formation area, thereby forming the shape of said at least one object.    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining said formation area on said at least one object.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising the step of repeating from said step of determining, so that additional formation areas define a final shape for said at least one object, said final shape being generally cylindrical.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one object comprises a tubular object.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising the step of determining said formation area on said at least one object, 
 wherein said forming mandrel includes at least one opening, wherein said step of determining includes positioning a selected one of said at least one opening underneath a selected one of said formation areas, thereby causing punching of material within said selected formation area, as a result of said step of applying said at least one electromagnetic field.    
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said tubular object is made of a material, selected from the list consisting of: 
 shape memory materials;    super elastic materials;    stainless steel;    alloys;    polymeric materials; and    biocompatible materials.    
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a preliminary step of applying shape memory characteristics to said tubular object.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising a final step of applying shape memory characteristics to said tubular object.  
     
     
         9 . Method for producing a medical support device from a tubular object, the tubular object being hollow, the method comprising the steps of: 
 placing a predetermined mandrel against each of a plurality of formation areas; and    applying at least one electromagnetic field on each said formation areas, thereby forming said tubular object at each said formation areas.    
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of determining said formation area on said at least one object.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said mandrel includes at least one opening, wherein said step of placing includes positioning a selected one of said at least one opening underneath a selected one of said formation areas, thereby causing punching of material within said selected formation area, as a result of said step of applying said at least one electromagnetic field.  
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein said tubular object is made of a material, selected from the list consisting of: 
 shape memory materials;    super elastic materials;    stainless steel;    alloys;    polymeric materials; and    biocompatible materials.    
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising a preliminary step of applying shape memory characteristics to said tubular object.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising a final step of applying shape memory characteristics to said tubular object.  
     
     
         15 . Medical support device comprising a tubular object, said tubular object including a plurality of openings, wherein at least selected ones of said openings were electromagnetically formed.  
     
     
         16 . The medical support device, according to  claim 15 , wherein said tubular object is made of shape memory material.  
     
     
         18 . The medical support device, according to  claim 15 , wherein said tubular object is made of a material, selected from the list consisting of: 
 shape memory materials;    super elastic materials;    stainless steel;    alloys;    polymeric materials; and    biocompatible materials.    
     
     
         18 . The medical support device, according to  claim 15 , wherein said tubular object is made of biocompatible materials.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one object comprises a plurality of wires.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said formation area is defined by an overlap intersection of at least two of said wires.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising the step of placing said wires in a crosswise structure.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein at least selected ones of said wires are straight.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein at least selected ones of said wires are curved.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein at least selected ones of said wires are made of a material, selected from the list consisting of: 
 shape memory materials;    super elastic materials;    stainless steel;    alloys;    polymeric materials; and    biocompatible materials.    
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising a preliminary step of applying shape memory characteristics to said wires.  
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising a final step of applying shape memory characteristics to said wires.  
     
     
         27 . Medical support device comprising a sheet of conductive material, said sheet of conductive material being folded so as to provide a tubular object, where one edge of said sheet of conductive material overlaps another edge of said sheet of conductive material, thereby defining an overlapping section, wherein said overlapping edges are joined by means of electromagnetic forming.  
     
     
         28 . The medical support device according to  claim 27  further comprising a plurality of openings.  
     
     
         29 . The medical support device according to  claim 28  wherein at least a selected ones of said openings are formed by drilling.  
     
     
         30 . The medical support device according to  claim 28  wherein at least a selected ones of said openings are formed by laser cutting.  
     
     
         31 . The medical support device according to  claim 28  wherein at least a selected ones of said openings are formed by chemical etching.  
     
     
         32 . The medical support device according to  claim 28  wherein at least a selected ones of said openings are formed by fluid punching.  
     
     
         33 . The medical support device according to  claim 28  wherein at least a selected ones of said openings are formed by means of electromagnetic forming.  
     
     
         34 . The medical support device according to  claim 27  wherein said sheet of conductive material is made of a material, selected from the list consisting of: 
 shape memory materials;  
 super elastic materials;  
 stainless steel;  
 alloys;  
 polymeric materials; and  
 biocompatible materials.  
 
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising a preliminary step of applying shape memory characteristics to said sheet of conductive material.  
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 27 , further comprising a final step of applying shape memory characteristics to said sheet of conductive material.  
     
     
         37 . The medical support device according to  claim 28  wherein at least a selected ones of said openings are formed by electrical discharge machining.  
     
     
         38 . The medical support device according to  claim 28  wherein at least a selected ones of said openings are formed by chemical machining.  
     
     
         39 . The medical support device according to  claim 28  wherein at least a selected ones of said openings are formed by photochemical blanking.  
     
     
         40 . The medical support device according to  claim 28  wherein at least a selected ones of said openings are formed by abrasive material flow machining.  
     
     
         41 . The medical support device according to  claim 28  wherein at least a selected ones of said openings are formed by ultrasonic machining.  
     
     
         42 . The medical support device according to  claim 28  wherein at least a selected ones of said openings are formed by hydrodynamic machining.  
     
     
         43 . The medical support device according to  claim 28  wherein at least a selected ones of said openings are formed by stamping.  
     
     
         44 . Medical support device comprising a sheet of conductive material, said sheet of conductive material comprising a plurality of openings, said openings being formed by electromagnetic forming, said sheet of conductive material being folded so as to provide a tubular object, where one edge of said sheet of conductive material overlaps another edge of said sheet of conductive material, thereby defining an overlapping section.  
     
     
         45 . The medical support device according to  claim 44 , wherein said overlapping edges are joined by arc welding.  
     
     
         46 . The medical support device according to  claim 44 , wherein said overlapping edges are joined by gas welding.  
     
     
         47 . The medical support device according to  claim 44 , wherein said overlapping edges are joined by resistance welding.  
     
     
         48 . The medical support device according to  claim 44 , wherein said overlapping edges are joined by soldering.  
     
     
         49 . The medical support device according to  claim 44 , wherein said overlapping edges are joined by brazing.  
     
     
         50 . The medical support device according to  claim 44 , wherein said overlapping edges are joined by electron beam welding.  
     
     
         51 . The medical support device according to  claim 44 , wherein said overlapping edges are joined by laser beam welding.  
     
     
         52 . The medical support device according to  claim 44 , wherein said overlapping edges are joined by friction welding.  
     
     
         53 . The medical support device according to  claim 44 , wherein said overlapping edges are joined by diffusion bonding.  
     
     
         54 . The medical support device according to  claim 44 , wherein said overlapping edges are joined by explosive welding.  
     
     
         55 . The medical support device according to  claim 44 , wherein said overlapping edges are joined by adhesive bonding.  
     
     
         56 . The medical support device according to  claim 44 , further comprising a preliminary step of applying shape memory characteristics to said sheet of conductive material.  
     
     
         57 . The medical support device according to  claim 44 , further comprising a final step of applying shape memory characteristics to said sheet of conductive material.  
     
     
         58 . Method for producing a medical support device from a sheet of formable material, the method comprising the steps of: 
 placing a predetermined mandrel against a plurality of formation areas; and    applying at least one electromagnetic field on each said formation areas, thereby forming said sheet at each said formation areas.    
     
     
         59 . The method according to  claim 58 , further comprising the step of determining said formation area on said at least one object.  
     
     
         60 . The method according to  claim 58 , wherein said mandrel includes at least one opening, wherein said step of placing includes positioning a selected one of said at least one opening underneath a selected one of said formation areas, thereby causing shearing of material within said selected formation area, as a result of said step of applying said at least one electromagnetic field.  
     
     
         61 . The method according to  claim 58 , wherein said sheet of formable material is made of a material, selected from the list consisting of: 
 shape memory materials;    super elastic materials;    stainless steel;    alloys;    polymeric materials; and    biocompatible materials.    
     
     
         62 . The method according to  claim 58 , further comprising a preliminary step of applying shape memory characteristics to said sheet of formable material.  
     
     
         63 . The method according to  claim 58 , further comprising a final step of applying shape memory characteristics to said sheet of formable material.  
     
     
         64 . The method according to  claim 58 , further comprising the step of folding said sheet of formable material, thereby producing a tubular object.  
     
     
         65 . The method according to  claim 64 , wherein at least selected ones of said formation areas are located in overlapping sections of said sheet of formable material, said overlapping sections being defined in said step of folding.  
     
     
         66 . The method according to  claim 58 , wherein said formable material is electrically conductive.  
     
     
         67 . The method according to  claim 58 , wherein said formable material is not electrically conductive.  
     
     
         68 . Method for producing a medical support device comprising the steps of: 
 placing a plurality of wires wherein at least a section of each said wires overlaps a section of at least another of said wires, each said overlapping section defining an intersection area; and    applying at least one electromagnetic field on the overlapping wires of each said intersection area, thereby joining each said wires at said intersection area.    
     
     
         69 . The method according to  claim 68 , further comprising the step of repeating said step of applying, thereby forming a mesh like structure of said wires.  
     
     
         70 . The method according to  claim 68 , further comprising the step of folding said mesh, thereby forming a cylinder.  
     
     
         71 . The method according to  claim 68 , wherein said wires are generally straight.  
     
     
         72 . The method according to  claim 68 , wherein said wires are generally curved.  
     
     
         73 . The method according to  claim 68 , wherein said step of placing is further characterized by a crosswise arrangement.  
     
     
         74 . The method according to  claim 68 , wherein at least selected ones of said wires are made of a material, selected from the list consisting of: 
 shape memory materials;    super elastic materials;    stainless steel;    alloys;    polymeric materials; and    biocompatible materials.    
     
     
         75 . The method according to  claim 68 , further comprising a preliminary step of applying shape memory characteristics to at least selected ones of said wires.  
     
     
         76 . The method according to  claim 68 , further comprising a final step of applying shape memory characteristics to at least selected ones of said wires.  
     
     
         77 . Medical support device comprising a plurality of wires, each said wires intersecting with at least another of said wires, thereby defining a plurality of intersection points, thereby forming a mesh, said mesh having the shape of a cylinder 
 wherein at least selected ones of said intersecting wires are joined to the wires intersecting therewith, by means of electromagnetic forming process.    
     
     
         78 . The medical support device according to  claim 77 , wherein at least one of said wires is made of a material, selected from the list consisting of: 
 shape memory materials;    super elastic materials;    stainless steel;    alloys;    polymeric materials; and    biocompatible materials.    
     
     
         79 . The method according to  claim 77 , further comprising a preliminary step of applying shape memory characteristics to at least selected ones of said wires.  
     
     
         80 . The method according to  claim 77 , further comprising a final step of applying shape memory characteristics to at least selected ones of said wires.  
     
     
         81 . The medical support device according to  claim 77 , wherein at least one of said wires is generally shaped as a straight line.  
     
     
         82 . The medical support device according to  claim 77 , wherein at least one of said wires is generally shaped as a curved line.  
     
     
         83 . The medical support device according to  claim 77 , wherein said mesh defines a crosswise structure.