System for manufacturing a polymer endoprosthesis by injection molding and blow molding

Abstract

A polymer endoprosthesis is fabricated by a combination of injection molding and blow molding which form a tubular substrate of polymer material, followed by laser cutting, crimping and sterilization. After the injection and blow molding processes, a subtractive process is performed on the tubular substrate to transform it into a stent having a network of stent struts. The tubular substrate can be made in an injection mold and blow mold which are attached to each other. The transition from injection molding and blow molding can be performed while the injection molded substrate remains at a temperature at or above Tg of the polymer material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for forming a polymer endoprosthesis, the system comprising:
 an injection mold having an injection mold cavity;   a blow mold having a blow mold cavity; and   a door movable from an first position to a second position, the injection mold cavity and the blow mold cavity being separated from each other by the door when at the first position, the injection mold cavity and the blow mold cavity being exposed to each other with when the door is at the second position.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a cutter configured to make perforations through the precursor tube. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the injection mold cavity is annular in shape and is configured to form a cylindrical tube when polymer material is injected into the injection mold. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the blow mold cavity has a diameter greater than that of the injection mold cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the injection mold includes an ejector configured to push contents of the injection mold cavity into the blow mold cavity.