Abstract: A mandrel for manufacturing a stent from a single wire includes a cylindrical member having a plurality of pins at a proximal end region, a plurality of pins at a distal end region, and a plurality of indentations between the proximal pins and the distal pins. These indentations form a helical pattern on the outer surface of the cylindrical member. The single wire is wrapped around every proximal pin and distal pin on the mandrel by following the indentations in the mandrel. The single wire is slid through the indentation under any crossing section of wire and over the next crossing section of wire in an under-over pattern.

Abstract: An open frame prosthesis is formed with looped end terminations at its proximal and distal ends. At one end of the prosthesis, the filaments or strands are welded together in pairs to form strand couplings. A plurality of loop segments are connected to the strand couplings, one loop segment for each pair of adjacent strand couplings. In one version of the prosthesis, strands at the opposite end are bent to form looped ends. In another version, loop segments are connected to pairs of strand couplings at both ends of the prosthesis. The loop segments can be connected to the couplings by welding, fusion bonds, or tubes, which are either crimped or heat shrunk.

Abstract: An open frame prosthesis is formed with looped end terminations at its proximal and distal ends. At one end of the prosthesis, the filaments or strands are welded together in pairs to form strand couplings. A plurality of loop segments are connected to the strand couplings, one loop segment for each pair of adjacent strand couplings. In one version of the prosthesis, strands at the opposite end are bent to form looped ends. In another version, loop segments are connected to pairs of strand couplings at both ends of the prosthesis. The loop segments can be connected to the couplings by welding, fusion bonds, or tubes, which are either crimped or heat shrunk.