1. An identification medium provided with a laminated structure comprising laminated layers of:
a magnetically controllable layer in which magnetic microcapsules are dispersed; and
a color shifting layer,
the color shifting layer comprising a multilayer film formed by laminating plural cholesteric liquid crystal layers or light transparent films having different refractive indexes.
2. (canceled)
3. The identification medium according to claim 1, wherein the identification medium comprises an observing surface and a structure in which the color shifting layer and the magnetically controllable layer is laminated in turn from the observing surface, and
wherein the magnetically controllable layer has a function of a light absorption layer and a function of a light reflection layer, one of the function of the light absorption layer and the function of the light reflection layer being selected by applying a magnetic field.
4. The identification medium according to claim 1, wherein the identification medium comprises a structure in which the magnetically controllable layer and the color shifting layer is laminated in turn from the observing surface, and
wherein the magnetically controllable layer has a function of a light cut-off layer and a function of a light transmission layer, the function of the light cut-off layer and the function of the light transmission layer being selected by applying a magnetic field.
5. The identification medium according to claim 1, wherein the color shifting layer is formed with a hologram.
6. The identification medium according to claim 1, wherein the magnetically controllable layer further comprises a magnetic layer for applying a magnetic field.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed:
1. A method for forming a vascular stent having increased radiopacity, comprising the steps of:
selecting a tube of structural material;
forming at least one groove along the tube;
inserting radiopaque material into the groove;
securing said radiopaque material to the tube;
cutting the tube into a particular pattern to form spines and struts of a stent.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the tube of structural material is formed of a biocompatible material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, nickel-titanium alloys, and cobalt-based alloys.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the step of forming the groove comprises forming one continuous groove.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the radiopaque material is formed in a strip and the step of inserting the radiopaque material comprises inserting the strip into the groove.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the method of claim 1, wherein the step of securing the radiopaque material includes the step of laser binding the radiopaque material into the groove.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein:
the step of securing the strip includes press-fitting the strip into the groove.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein:
the step of securing the strip includes the step of diffusion bonding the strip into the groove.
8. The method of claim 4, wherein:
the step of forming the groove comprises forming a plurality of grooves.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein:
a plurality of strips of radiopaque material are inserted into the plurality of grooves.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the step of securing the radiopaque material into the groove includes press-fitting the material into the groove.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the step of securing the radiopaque material includes the step of diffusion bonding the material into the groove.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein:
the grooves are formed as a plurality of rings.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the cutting step is performed by a laser.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the step of forming the grooves includes forming them on the exterior of the tube.
15. The method of claim 1, further including the step of:
sputter coating a layer of metal over the exterior surface of the radiopaque material.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein:
the step of forming the grooves includes forming them on the exterior of the tube in a selected pattern.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein:
the step of cutting the tube is performed in a pattern which selectively places radiopaque material on particular struts or spines of the finished stent.
18. A stent having enhanced radiopacity, comprising:
a tubular section constructed of at least one segment of a tube;
the segment having at least one groove formed therein;
a radiopaque material disposed within the groove; and
means for securing the material within the groove.
19. The stent of claim 18, wherein:
the means for securing the radiopaque material in the groove includes sputter coating a layer of metal over the radiopaque material.
20. The stent of claim 18, wherein:
the segment includes a target area; and
the groove is formed in selective patterns in the target area.
21. The stent of claim 18, wherein:
the segment is formed with one groove along a longitudinal line and the radiopaque material is located in the groove.
22. The stent of claim 18 wherein:
the means for securing the radiopaque material within the groove includes press fitting the material into the groove.
23. The stent of claim 18, wherein:
the means for securing the radiopaque material within the groove includes diffusion bonding the material into the groove.
24. The stent of claim 18, wherein:
the segment is formed with a plurality of grooves and the radiopaque material is formed in strips which are placed within the grooves.
25. The stent of claim 18 wherein:
the means for securing the radiopaque material within the grooves includes press fitting the strips of radiopaque material into the grooves.
26. The stent of claim 18, wherein:
the means for securing the radiopaque material within the grooves includes diffusion bonding the strips of radiopaque material into the grooves.
27. The stent of claim 18, wherein:
the means for securing the radiopaque material in the grooves includes sputter coating a layer of metal over the strips of radiopaque material.