Elastomerically impregnated ePTFE to enhance stretch and recovery properties for vascular grafts and coverings

Abstract

An elastomerically recoverable PTFE material is provided including a longitudinally compressed fibrils of ePTFE material penetrated by elastomeric material within the pores defining the elastomeric matrix. The elastomeric matrix and the compressed fibris cooperatively expand and recover without plastic deformation of the ePTFE material. The material may be used for various prosthesis, such as a vascular a prosthesis like a patch, a graft and an implantable tubular stent. Further, a method of producing the elastomerically recoverable PTFE material is provided herein.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional patent application Ser. No. 10 / 179,484, filed on Jun. 25, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to an elastomerically recoverable PTFE which is made from expanded, porous polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and impregnated with elastomer to be longitudinally compliant for allowing at least a portion of the ePTFE structure to stretch and recover along the longitudinal axis thereof. BACKGROUND OF RELATED TECHNOLOGY [0003] It is well known in the art that polymers, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), are used to form a prosthesis. A tubular graft may be formed by stretching and expanding PTFE into a structure referred to as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE). Tubes formed of ePTFE exhibit certain beneficial properties as compared with textile prostheses. The expanded PTFE tube has a unique structure defi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024] The present invention provides an elastomerically recoverable PTFE material that was made of ePTFE material, defined by nodes and fibrils, and an elastomeric matrix. The fibrils were longitudinally compressed, defining a pore size that is a sufficient size to permit penetration of an elastomeric material. The elastomeric material penetrated the pores, which defined the elastomeric matrix within the pores. The compressed fibrils and elastomeric matrix cooperatively permitted longitudinal expansion and elastomeric recovery without plastic deformation of the ePTFE material.

Problems solved by technology

One disadvantage is the porosity of the ePTFE structure which permits cellular ingrowth.

The ingrowth is undesirable if one uses the ePTFE material as a temporary graft to bridge vessels and it is desired to have clear access to the ePTFE graft for replacement or removal.

Another disadvantage is the ePTFE material has a tendency to leak blood at suture holes and often propagate a tear line at the point of entry of the suture.

These processes are often complicated and require special machinery and / or materials to achieve this end.

Another problem is that ePTFE material exhibits a relatively low degree of longitudinal compliance.

It has little memory and stretching results in deformation.

In those instances when a surgeon will misjudge the length of the graft that is required to reach between the selected artery and vein, the surgeon may find that the graft is too short to reach the targeted site once the graft has been tunneled under the skin.

Similarly, in the case of the femoropopliteal bypass graft, bending the knee can place dangerous stress upon the graft.

The above-described restricted movement is due largely to the inability of the ePTFE vascular graft to stretch along its longitudinal axis when its associated anchor points are pulled apart from one another.

This incorporation is difficult because PTFE is a hydrophobic material making it difficult to wet with the hydro-based elastomers, and the elastomers are hydrophilic making them naturally attracted to other elastomeric molecules.

One disadvantage is that the coating may flake or separate from the ePTFE material, as well as add to the thickness of the ePTFE material.

One disadvantage is the added thickness of the PTFE.

Another disadvantage, as stated above with the elastomer coatings, is the layers will separate over time and can flake off the PTFE.

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