ePTFE-Polyolefin Composite for Aneurysm Grafts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current biocompatible materials, such as PTFE, face challenges in processing into desired forms due to high temperatures required and susceptibility to creep, which affects mechanical strength and geometric stability, particularly in medical applications like treating aneurysms.

Innovation Solution

A multi-layered composite material is developed, comprising a fluorinated first layer, like ePTFE, and a polymer backbone second layer, which can be processed to enhance tensile strength, reduce creep, and facilitate desired shapes for medical devices like vascular grafts and aneurysm treatments, with the polymer backbone impregnating the ePTFE layer to create a strong and stable structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PTFE is used as a biocompatible material, then chemical inertness and biocompatibility are improved, but processing difficulty and creep susceptibility worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebiocompatibilityVSAvoidprocessing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material structure where a PTFE layer is laminated to a polyolefin layer. The PTFE layer provides chemical inertness and biocompatibility, while the polyolefin layer provides ease of processing and structural stability. This composite approach allows each material to contribute its advantageous properties to the final product, resolving the contradiction between biocompatibility and processing ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If PTFE is used for medical implants, then chemical inertness is improved, but mechanical strength and geometric stability worsen due to creep

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechemical inertnessVSAvoidmechanical strength

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure combines PTFE's chemical inertness with the mechanical strength and creep resistance of polyolefin. The polyolefin layer acts as a structural backbone that prevents creep deformation, while the PTFE layer maintains chemical stability. This synergistic combination resolves the contradiction between chemical inertness and mechanical strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If PTFE is processed at high temperatures, then processing capability is improved, but material stability and geometric precision worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidgeometric stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The polyolefin layer has a lower melting point and can be processed at moderate temperatures, allowing the composite to be formed without subjecting the PTFE to high temperatures that would cause geometric distortion. The polyolefin serves as a processing medium that enables shaping while maintaining PTFE's geometric stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS7790273B2Material for creating multi-layered films and methods for making the same

Publication Date: 2010.09.07 ENDOLOGIX LLC

AI summary

The present invention provides multilayered materials, such as films usable in particular in medical devices in the form of vascular grafts, biocompatible coverings, and/or inflatable bladders, prosthesis for the endoluminal treatment of aneurysms, particularly aortic aneurysms including both abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA's) and thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA's).