Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a tubular medical device for insertion in a body. The method includes the step cutting a plurality of cross-sectional pieces or layers from a flat sheet. The pieces are cut so as to define inner apertures. The pieces are then aligned generally along an axis such that the pieces are arranged to form an elongated structure having an interior lumen extending longitudinally therethrough. Finally, the aligned pieces of the elongated structure are connected together such that each interconnected piece forms a layer of the tubular medical device.

Abstract: An excimer laser beam is guided through a moving mask and optics configuration, positioned on computer controlled, synchronously moving stages, to ablate a polyimide substrate. The mask and workpiece move synchronously to enable the ablation of object features on large surface areas without requiring the deactivation and realignment of the laser.