Severable support for a stent

Abstract

A stent with at least one severable supporting device and methods of coating using the same are disclosed. The severable supporting device can be an end tube or a tab attached to some portion of the stent by at least one “gate” or attachment. The end tube or tab may be part of the design of the stent when it is originally manufactured, or it may be attached to the stent in a secondary process by a biocompatible glue or solder. The end tube or tab can be used to support a stent during a coating process eliminating the need for a mandrel which would otherwise contact the stent during the coating process.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A medical device, comprising:
 a body; and   a severable support element connected to the body.   
     
     
         2 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the element is configured to sever between the element and the body. 
     
     
         3 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the element includes a portion configured to couple to a component of a coating device. 
     
     
         4 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the element includes:
 a bar, wherein the bar is connected to the body at one end of the bar, and wherein the bar is adapted to sever from the body or is adapted to break along a segment of the bar; and   a tab or a tube disposed at an opposing end of the bar, wherein the tab or tube is adapted to couple to a component of a coating device.   
     
     
         5 . The medical device of  claim 4 , wherein the component rotates the device. 
     
     
         6 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the severable support element includes a bar having perforations for facilitating the severance of the bar along the perforations. 
     
     
         7 . The medical device of  claim 6 , wherein the perforations are aligned across an area where the bar meets the body such that upon severance of the bar from the body no or minimum portions of the bar remain on the body. 
     
     
         8 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is a stent. 
     
     
         9 . The medical device of  claim 8 , wherein the element includes a bar connected to an end ring of the stent. 
     
     
         10 . The medical device of  claim 9 , wherein the bar is connected to a side wall of the end ring of the stent. 
     
     
         11 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the element includes a bar adapted to break off of the body or to break along a segment of the bar. 
     
     
         12 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the element connects to the body by a solder or an adhesive joint. 
     
     
         13 . The medical device of  claim 12 , wherein the element is adapted to break at the joint. 
     
     
         14 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein connected means that the body and the element are made from the same piece of material during the shaping of the stent. 
     
     
         15 . The medical device of  claim 1 , wherein the element supports the body during coating at least a portion of the device such that the severable support element can be severed after coating.