Abstract: A method of making a self-expanding stent entails applying a bend stress sufficient to over-bend a portion of a wire by an amount in a range from about 85% to about 105%, where the wire comprises a Ni—Ti alloy and includes from about 40% to about 46% cold work. The bend stress is then released, thereby forming a bend having a predetermined bend angle in the wire. The application and release of the bend stress are repeated on successive portions of the wire in order to create a series of bends along a length of the wire in a predetermined bend pattern. The wire comprising the predetermined bend pattern is then positioned about a mandrel in an expanded stent geometry and heat set. Thus, a self-expanding stent is formed.

Abstract: A method of making a self-expanding stent entails applying a bend stress sufficient to over-bend a portion of a wire by an amount in a range from about 85% to about 105%, where the wire comprises a Ni—Ti alloy and includes from about 40% to about 46% cold work. The bend stress is then released, thereby forming a bend having a predetermined bend angle in the wire. The application and release of the bend stress are repeated on successive portions of the wire in order to create a series of bends along a length of the wire in a predetermined bend pattern. The wire comprising the predetermined bend pattern is then positioned about a mandrel in an expanded stent geometry and heat set. Thus, a self-expanding stent is formed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin-film thermoelectric generator comprises the steps of: coating of a carrier film with a first semiconductor of a first conductor type, structuring of the first semiconductor, coating of the carrier film with a second semiconductor of a second conductor type and structuring of the second semiconductor. The carrier film is provided for the coating and structuring operations as a film roll.

Abstract: An introducer for an expandable endovascular prosthesis having a self a self-expanding stent includes a proximal prosthesis positioning mechanism that has a retention device to retain the self-expanding stent and a control member to selectively release the retention device from the prosthesis. The retention device includes an opening forming a tapered cavity. The control member includes a plurality of loops coupled to the prosthesis and a trigger wire. The trigger wire passes through a first aperture of the retention device, through the plurality of loops, and through and a second aperture of the retention device to retain the loops.