Methods of making medical devices

1. A method of manufacturing an endoprosthesis, the method comprising:

providing an endoprosthesis having an outer diameter;

reducing the outer diameter of the endoprosthesis, the reduction in outer diameter of the endoprosthesis secures the endoprosthesis to a catheter; and

vibrating the endoprosthesis,

wherein the endoprosthesis is vibrated simultaneously with the reduction in outer diameter of the endoprosthesis.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the endoprosthesis is vibrated ultrasonically.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reduction in outer diameter of the endoprosthesis secures the endoprosthesis to a balloon.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the entire endoprosthesis is reduced in outer diameter.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein only a portion of the endoprosthesis is reduced in outer diameter.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the endoprosthesis is vibrated from within the endoprosthesis.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the endoprosthesis is vibrated externally of the endoprosthesis.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising heating the endoprosthesis.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising cooling the endoprosthesis.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein vibratory energy is directed to the endoprosthesis through a gaseous medium.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein vibratory energy is directed to the endoprosthesis through a liquid medium.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein vibratory energy is directed to the endoprosthesis through a plasma.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein vibratory energy is directed to the endoprosthesis through a supersaturated vapor medium.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the endoprosthesis is vibrated at harmonic or subharmonic frequencies.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the endoprosthesis is vibrated at less than about 1,000 kiloHertz.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the endoprosthesis is vibrated at multiple frequencies.

17. The method of claim 1 , wherein the endoprosthesis is vibrated at one or more frequencies that vary as a function of time.

18. The method of claim 1 , wherein the endoprosthesis comprises a stent.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the stent comprises a drug-releasing layer.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the endoprosthesis comprises a stent-graft.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing the outer diameter of endoprosthesis comprises contacting the endoprosthesis in a longitudinal direction with a member.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing the outer diameter of endoprosthesis comprises contacting the endoprosthesis in a longitudinal direction with a roller having a groove.

23. A method of manufacturing an endoprosthesis, the method comprising:

radially reducing the size of the endoprosthesis, the reduction in size of the endoprosthesis securing the endoprosthesis to a support; and

simultaneously applying vibratory energy to the endoprosthesis;

wherein radially reducing the size of the endoprosthesis secures the endoprosthesis to a balloon.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the vibratory energy is ultrasonic energy.

25. The method of claim 23 , further comprising heating the endoprosthesis.

26. The method of claim 23 , further comprising cooling the endoprosthesis.

27. The method of claim 23 , wherein the endoprosthesis comprises a stent.

28. The method of claim 23 , wherein the endoprosthesis comprises a drug-releasing layer.

29. A method, comprising:

providing an endoprosthesis including a metal body and a polymer layer;

crimping the endoprosthesis; and

applying vibratory energy to the endoprosthesis, wherein vibratory energy is applied during crimping.

30. The method of claim 29 , wherein the polymer layer is on an outside surface of the metal body.

31. The method of claim 29 , wherein the polymer layer includes a drug.

32. The method of claim 29 , wherein the polymer layer is a continuous polymer tubular member.

33. The method of claim 29 , wherein the polymer include polytetrafluoroethylene.

34. The method of claim 29 , wherein the endoprosthesis is balloon-expandable.

35. The method of claim 29 , wherein vibratory energy is applied by contacting a vibrating member to the endoprosthesis.

36. The method of claim 29 , wherein the vibratory energy has a frequency of less than about 1,000 kiloHertz.

37. A method of manufacturing an expandable medical device, the method comprising:

placing the expandable medical device into a crimping apparatus;

reducing the size of the expandable medical device;

applying vibratory energy to the expandable medical device; and

removing the expandable medical device from the crimping apparatus.

38. The method of claim 37 , wherein the expandable medical device is an endoprosthesis.

39. The method of claim 37 , wherein vibratory energy is applied to the expandable medical device simultaneously with the reduction in size of the expandable medical device.

40. The method of claim 37 , wherein vibratory energy is applied to the expandable medical device subsequent to the reduction in size of the expandable medical device.

41. The method of claim 37 , wherein the expandable medical device is radially reduced in size.

42. The method of claim 37 , wherein the expandable medical device is a stent.

43. The method of claim 37 , wherein the crimping apparatus comprises a first device capable of applying a radial inward force to the expandable medical device and a second device capable of applying energy to the expandable medical device.

44. The method of claim 43 , wherein the first device is a stent crimping device.

45. The method of claim 43 , wherein the second device is a vibrator.

46. The method of claim 43 , wherein the second device contacts the first device.

47. A method of manufacturing an expandable medical device, the method comprising, in sequence:

(a) placing the expandable medical device into a crimping apparatus;

(b) reducing the size of the expandable medical device by applying radial inward energy to the expandable medical device;

(c) applying a vibratory energy to the expandable medical device; and

(d) removing the expandable medical device from the crimping apparatus.