US5861033A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of making controlled porosity expanded polytetrafluoroethylene products and fabrication
Assignee: Atrium Medical Corp
•
Filing: 1997-01-30
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Granted: 1999-01-19
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Expires: 2017-01-30
Abstract
Abstract A method of forming porous articles with a varying pore distribution by extrusion from a billet with a varying lubricant distribution. A single-polymer polytetrafluoroethylene is extruded and then stretched and sintered to provide a differential porous PTFE structure composed of fibers and nodes connected to one another by these fibers. The microfibrous structure has a portion within the cross-section that possesses a different pore size, accompanied by a different node and fiber geometry, than adjacent areas within that cross section. In a vascular graft, the pores taper inwardly, providing a fluid-tight lumen wall structure that prevents leakage, yet promotes cellular ingrowth and natural tissue regeneration. A node structure of radially-oriented plates provides flexibility, suture strength, and enhanced protection against collapse.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Martakos
- 👤 Theodore Karwoski
- 👤 Steve A. Herweck
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 20:21
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D23/00; B29D23/001; A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/04; A61F2/06; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/14; A61L27/16; A61L27/50; A61L27/56; B01; B01D; B01D67/00; B01D67/0002; B01D67/0023; B01D67/0025; B01D67/0027; B01D69/00; B01D69/02; B01D69/12; B01D69/1212; B01D71/00; B01D71/06; B01D71/30; B01D71/32; B01D71/36; B29C; B29C48/00; B29C48/022; B29C48/03; B29C48/07; B29C48/08; B29C55/00; B29C55/005; B01D2325/00; B01D2325/02; B01D2325/0283; B29C48/001; B29C48/0012; B29C48/0018; B29C48/09; B29C48/10; B29C48/16; B29C48/18; B29C48/19; B29C48/21; B29K; B29K2027/00; B29K2027/12; B29K2027/18; B29K2105/00; B29K2105/04; B29L; B29L2023/00; B29L2023/005; B29L2023/007; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/13; Y10T428/1352; Y10T428/139; Y10T428/1397; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24273; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249986; Y10T428/249987; Y10T428/24999; Y10T428/249991; Y10T428/249992; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/3154; Y10T428/31544
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
An implantable prosthesis comprising a tube of porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) including a tube wall with a porous microstructure of nodes and fibrils, wherein channels are defined by spaces between adjacent nodes and said channels are tapered and extend substantially through the wall of the tube, and wherein said wall is uniformly sintered throughout.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
An implantable prosthesis comprising a tube of porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) including a tube wall with a porous microstructure of nodes and fibrils, wherein channels are defined by spaces between adjacent nodes and said channels are tapered and extend substantially through the wall of the tube, and wherein said wall is uniformly sintered throughout.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
An implantable prosthesis comprising a wall of porous extruded polytetrafluoroethylene comprised of a single resin and having a porous microstructure consisting of nodes interconnected by fibrils, wherein interstitial spaces are defined by adjacent nodes, the interstitial spaces between said nodes being tapered and extending substantially through said wall, and wherein said wall is uniformly sintered throughout.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
An implantable prosthesis comprising a wall of porous extruded polytetrafluoroethylene comprised of a single resin and having a porous microstructure consisting of nodes interconnected by fibrils, wherein interstitial spaces are defined by adjacent nodes, the interstitial spaces between said nodes being tapered and extending substantially through said wall, and wherein said wall is uniformly sintered throughout.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
An implantable prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein said wall is a cylindrical wall and said prosthesis is a vascular graft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An implantable prosthesis according to claim 2 wherein said interstitial spaces taper such that porosity on one side of said wall is less than porosity on an opposite side of said wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An implantable prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein said interstitial spaces taper such that porosity part way through the wall is less than porosity at surfaces of the wall.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An implantable prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein said interstitial spaces have a dimension effective for capillaries to grow therein when the prosthesis is implanted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
An implantable prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein said polytetrafluoroethylene is a high molecular weight polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
An implantable prosthesis according to claim 2, wherein said wall is a sintered wall formed of a single resin and having an inside and an outside, and wherein said fibrils substantially impede fluid leakage through the interstitial spaces while allowing cellular growth therein.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-18 | 2002-07-20 | 2003-01-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-18 | 2006-07-20 | 2007-01-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-18 | 2010-07-20 | 2011-01-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |