| abstract |
A method of manufacturing a stent formed from a metal or metal alloy includes the steps of applying a powder of a material having a higher radiopacity than that of the material from which the stent is formed to a region of the surface of the stent, and applying laser light to the surface having the radiopaque powder placed thereon so that the powder is incorporated into the surface of the stent. The method may also include forming said stent from stainless steel. In addition, the powder may be selected from the group including gold, platinum, tantalum, niobium, titanium, or tungsten or a combination thereof and the laser light may be generated by a YAG laser, a CO2 laser, a Diode laser or a Femto laser. Alternatively, a stent may be provided formed from a metal or metal alloy with the stent having the powder impregnated in the surface thereof. |