Temperature controlled crimping

Abstract

This disclosure describes a method for crimping a polymeric stent onto a catheter for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or other intraluminal interventions. The method comprises crimping the stent onto a catheter when the polymer is at a target temperature other than ambient temperature. The polymer can optionally comprise drug(s).

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of making a medical device comprising:
 providing a stent cut from a tubing made of a polymer combination comprising poly(L-lactide); 
 positioning the stent loosely over a catheter; and  
 crimping the positioned stent to secure the stent to a the catheter, wherein the crimping reduces the diameter of the stent,;  
 wherein the temperature of the stent substrate during the crimping is at a temperature between 10° C. below less than the conventionally measured glass transition temperature for poly(L-lactide) (Tg) and below greater than or equal to 10° C. less than Tg. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises annealing the stent at a second temperature after securing the stent to the catheter. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature is between 5° C. below Tg and below less than Tg and greater than or equal to 5° C. less than Tg. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature of the stent during crimping is adjusted by thermal contact with a heat source. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the crimping comprises applying radial compression pressure to the stent to reduce the diameter. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature is between 2° C. below Tg and below less than Tg and greater than or equal to 2° C. less than Tg. 
     
     
       7. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer combination is poly(L-lactide).  
     
     
       8. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer combination is selected from a group consisting of: a mixture of more than one polymer, one polymer, and a copolymerization of more than one polymer.