Systems, methods, and devices related to hollow metallic objects are disclosed. A solid sacrificial material is formed in a desired three-dimensional shape, and a precursor is deposited about an exterior surface of the solid sacrificial material. The precursor is used to deposit a first conductor about the exterior surface of the solid sacrificial material, and the solid sacrificial material is then removed. The first conductor assumes the three-dimensional shape, and is substantially hollow after removing the solid sacrificial material. Contemplated hollow metallic objects include waveguides, heat pipes, and vapor chambers.

A method of forming a strengthened component includes forming a sacrificial material into a mold of the component having an outer surface, disposing an insert having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite and spaced from the inner surface such that the strengthening insert inner surface abuts the mold outer surface, forming the component by way of electrodisposition of a metallic layer over the exposed mold outer surface and the exposed strengthening insert outer surface, and removing the sacrificial material from the component.

A method of forming a strengthened component includes forming a sacrificial material into a mold of the component having an outer surface, disposing an insert having an inner surface and an outer surface opposite and spaced from the inner surface such that the strengthening insert inner surface abuts the mold outer surface, forming the component by way of electrodisposition of a metallic layer over the exposed mold outer surface and the exposed strengthening insert outer surface, and removing the sacrificial material from the component.

A method of forming a tubular element includes providing an attachment joint, and disposing a mandrel adjacent the attachment joint, where the mandrel can also include an outer or exposed surface. Metal can be disposed on the outer surface of the mandrel to form at least a portion of the tubular element.

A method of forming a tubular element includes providing an attachment joint, and disposing a mandrel adjacent the attachment joint, where the mandrel can also include an outer or exposed surface. Metal can be disposed on the outer surface of the mandrel to form at least a portion of the tubular element.

A deflectable, flexible device includes an elongate body, a convoluted tip portion at a distal end of the elongate body, and a lumen to receive one or more wires. The convoluted tip portion includes an electroformed pleated region which is formed by electrodepositing a metal on a mandrel having a pleated region. The convoluted tip portion may be hermetically sealed to permit repeated sterilization. The electroformed pleated region may include one or more fluid emission orifices. The convoluted tip portion extends or bends in response to fluid pressure manipulation, contact with tissue, manipulation with an internal spring or wire, or by a user pushing, pulling, or twisting the catheter directly or via an introducer sheath or the like. The convoluted tip portion may further include an RF ablation element or other energy-driven technique to create continuous linear lesions or a sensing element.

A deflectable, flexible device includes an elongate body, a convoluted tip portion at a distal end of the elongate body, and a lumen to receive one or more wires. The convoluted tip portion includes an electroformed pleated region which is formed by electrodepositing a metal on a mandrel having a pleated region. The convoluted tip portion may be hermetically sealed to permit repeated sterilization. The electroformed pleated region may include one or more fluid emission orifices. The convoluted tip portion extends or bends in response to fluid pressure manipulation, contact with tissue, manipulation with an internal spring or wire, or by a user pushing, pulling, or twisting the catheter directly or via an introducer sheath or the like. The convoluted tip portion may further include an RF ablation element or other energy-driven technique to create continuous linear lesions or a sensing element.

Disclosed is a method for producing an electrocast belt which method ensures long-term use of an electrocasting bath and which method enables provision of an electrocast belt having a required product quality even when an electrocasting bath that has been used in electrolysis with a large cumulative amount of electricity. The method includes a first step of producing an electrocast belt having a required product quality in an electrocasting bath of a specific composition until a predetermined period of time has elapsed; a second step of subsequently producing an electrocast belt in the same electrocasting bath; and a third step of polishing a surface of the electrocast belt produced from the second step so that the electrocast belt produced from the third step has a product quality equivalent to that of the electrocast belt produced from the first step.

Disclosed is a method for producing an electrocast belt which method ensures long-term use of an electrocasting bath and which method enables provision of an electrocast belt having a required product quality even when an electrocasting bath that has been used in electrolysis with a large cumulative amount of electricity. The method includes a first step of producing an electrocast belt having a required product quality in an electrocasting bath of a specific composition until a predetermined period of time has elapsed; a second step of subsequently producing an electrocast belt in the same electrocasting bath; and a third step of polishing a surface of the electrocast belt produced from the second step so that the electrocast belt produced from the third step has a product quality equivalent to that of the electrocast belt produced from the first step.

Additive-based electroforming manufacturing methods for producing turbomachine components and other metallic articles are provided, as are metallic articles manufactured utilizing such manufacturing methods. In various embodiments, the method includes providing a sacrificial tooling structure having a component-defining surface region. A metallic body layer or shell is deposited over the component-defining surface region utilizing an electroforming process. The tooling structure is removed, while the metallic body layer is left substantially intact. After tooling structure removal, the metallic body layer is further processed to complete fabrication of the metallic component.