US4605406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for fabricating prosthesis material
Assignee: Medtronic Inc
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Filing: 1984-08-03
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Granted: 1986-08-12
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Expires: 2004-08-03
Abstract
Abstract A method of fabricating prosthesis material having a conduit configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick T. Cahalan
- 👤 Carolann M. Holmblad
- 👤 Robert W. Pike, Jr.
- 👤 Eileen L. Schultz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/50; A61L27/56; A61L27/14; A61L27/18; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S623/00; Y10S623/92; Y10S623/921
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of fabricating a prosthesis material for use with a living body, the prosthesis material having a surface of improved smoothness, the method comprising the steps of: (a) coating the interior surface of a tube with a solution comprised of a synthetic polymer, having suitable compatibility characteristics, dissolved in a solvent, and (b) precipitating the polymer as a coating on the interior surface of the tube by contacting the polymer solution with a precipating solution comprised of a fluid which is miscible with the solvent but operable as a precipitating nonsolvent with respect to the polymer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of fabricating a prosthesis material for use with a living body, the prosthesis material having a surface of improved smoothness, the method comprising the steps of: (a) coating the interior surface of a tube with a solution comprised of a synthetic polymer, having suitable compatibility characteristics, dissolved in a solvent, and (b) precipitating the polymer as a coating on the interior surface of the tube by contacting the polymer solution with a precipating solution comprised of a fluid which is miscible with the solvent but operable as a precipitating nonsolvent with respect to the polymer.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of fabricating a vascular prosthesis for use in a living body, the prosthesis having a lumen surface of improved smoothness, the method comprising the steps of: (a) filling a length of tubing with a solution comprised of a synthetic polymer, having suitable compatability characteristics, dissolved in a solvent, (b) forming a space in the solution at an end of the tube whereby the wall of the tube around the space is covered with a remaining amount of the solution, (c) causing the space to move along the length of the tube, and (d) introducing a quantity of a precipitating solution into the tube behind the moving space to fill the void formed in the tube by the moving space and to contact the polymer solution coating the interior surface of the tube, the precipitating solution being comprised of a fluid which is miscible with the solvent but operable as a precipitating nonsolvent with respect to the polymer, and (e) whereby the polymer is caused to form a continuous solid coating within the tube.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of fabricating a vascular prosthesis for use in a living body, the prosthesis having a lumen surface of improved smoothness, the method comprising the steps of: (a) filling a length of tubing with a solution comprised of a synthetic polymer, having suitable compatability characteristics, dissolved in a solvent, (b) forming a space in the solution at an end of the tube whereby the wall of the tube around the space is covered with a remaining amount of the solution, (c) causing the space to move along the length of the tube, and (d) introducing a quantity of a precipitating solution into the tube behind the moving space to fill the void formed in the tube by the moving space and to contact the polymer solution coating the interior surface of the tube, the precipitating solution being comprised of a fluid which is miscible with the solvent but operable as a precipitating nonsolvent with respect to the polymer, and (e) whereby the polymer is caused to form a continuous solid coating within the tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 2 including the additional step of removing the coating from the tube as a length of vessel.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of fabricating a vascular prosthesis for use in a living body, the prosthesis having a lumen surface of improved smoothness, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a liquid layer on the interior surface of a tube, the layer comprising a solution of a polymer dissolved in a solvent, the polymer having suitable compatability characteristics as a prosthesis; and (b) contacting the liquid layer with a precipitating solution to precipitate the polymer onto the interim surface of the tube.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of fabricating a vascular prosthesis for use in a living body, the prosthesis having a lumen surface of improved smoothness, the method comprising the steps of: (a) forming a liquid layer on the interior surface of a tube, the layer comprising a solution of a polymer dissolved in a solvent, the polymer having suitable compatability characteristics as a prosthesis; and (b) contacting the liquid layer with a precipitating solution to precipitate the polymer onto the interim surface of the tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the precipitating solution is introduced into the tube by immersing the tube in a bath of the precipitating solution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the tube is filled with the precipitating solution.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
17 words
The method of either claims 1, 2 or 4 wherein the synthetic polymer is a block copolymer.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
16 words
The method of either claims 1, 2 or 4 wherein the synthetic polymer is a polyurethane.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
16 words
The method of either claims 1, 2 or 4 wherein the synthetic polymer is a copolymer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the copolymer is a copolymer-urethane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the copolymer is a copolymer-urethane urea.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
24 words
The method of either claims 1, 2 or 4 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of sulfoxide solvents and amide solvents.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 12 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of dimethyl foramide and dimethyl acetamide.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
15 words
The method of either claims 1, 2 or 4 wherein the precipitating nonsolvent is water.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
A blood and tissue compatible synthetic prosthesis prepared in accordance with the method defined in either claims 1, 2 or 4 wherein the material has mechanical properties of compliance and elasticity approximating those of organic tissue.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
A prosthesis duct formed in accordance with either claims 1, 2 or 4.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A vascular graft formed in accordance with the method defined in either claims 1, 2 or 4.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
28 words
The method of either claims 1, 2 or 4 wherein an additive is included in the polymer solution to aid in control over the porosity of the material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the additive is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyvinylpyrollidone, sodium citrate and silica.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of fabricating a prosthesis conduit material for use with a living body, the prosthesis material having a lumen surface of improved smoothness, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a support element having a conduit therethrough; (b) providing the interior surface of the support element conduit with a quantity of a solution comprised of a synthetic polymer, having suitable compatibility characteristics, dissolved in a solvent, and (c) precipitating the polymer as a coating at the interior surface of the support element and at a liquid-liquid interface by contacting the polymer solution with a precipitating solution comprised of a fluid which is miscible with the solvent but operable as a precipitating nonsolvent with respect to the polymer whereby prosthesis conduit material is formed against the support conduit interior surface.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
131 words
A method of fabricating a prosthesis conduit material for use with a living body, the prosthesis material having a lumen surface of improved smoothness, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a support element having a conduit therethrough; (b) providing the interior surface of the support element conduit with a quantity of a solution comprised of a synthetic polymer, having suitable compatibility characteristics, dissolved in a solvent, and (c) precipitating the polymer as a coating at the interior surface of the support element and at a liquid-liquid interface by contacting the polymer solution with a precipitating solution comprised of a fluid which is miscible with the solvent but operable as a precipitating nonsolvent with respect to the polymer whereby prosthesis conduit material is formed against the support conduit interior surface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 20 wherein the material is removed from the support element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-08-11 | 1990-02-10 | 1990-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-08-11 | 1994-02-10 | 1994-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-08-11 | 1998-02-10 | 1998-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |