Low profile vascular graft

A low profile vascular graft comprising:

• a tube structure having outer and inner surfaces;
• and
• a support structure comprising a chamber structure secured to said outer or inner surface,
• said support structure further comprising a core structure contained within said chamber structure wherein said core structure comprises a plurality of core elements, said core elements being transformable from a conformance condition to a reinforcement condition, said core elements providing insubstantial resistance to deformation of said tube structure when said core elements are in said conformance condition, said core elements providing substantial resistance to deformation of said tube structure when said core elements are in said reinforcement condition.

A low profile vascular graft comprising:

• a tube structure having outer and inner surfaces;
• and
• a support structure comprising a chamber structure secured to said outer or inner surface,
• said support structure further comprising a core structure contained within said chamber structure wherein said core structure is substantially impermeable, said core structure being transformable from a conformance condition to a reinforcement condition, said core structure providing insubstantial resistance to deformation of said tube structure when said core structure is in said conformance condition, said core structure providing substantial resistance to deformation of said tube structure when said core structure is in said reinforcement condition.

A method for making a low profile vascular graft comprising:

• providing a chamber structure of a support structure;
• providing a core structure of the support structure;
• inserting the core structure into the chamber structure;
• providing a tube structure having outer and inner surfaces;
• and
• securing the chamber structure to the outer or inner surface.

A method for making a low profile vascular graft comprising:

• providing a first tube structure having outer and inner surfaces;
• providing a chamber structure of a support structure;
• securing the chamber structure to the outer or inner surface;
• providing a core structure of the support structure;
• inserting the core structure into the chamber structure;
• providing a second tube structure;
• positioning the first tube structure in coaxial relation to the second tube structure such that the support structure is between the first and second tube structures;
• and
• bonding the first and second tube structures to one another.

A method for making a low profile vascular graft comprising:

• providing an outer tube structure;
• providing an inner tube structure;
• positioning the inner tube structure within and in coaxial relation to the outer tube structure to provide a radial clearance between the outer and inner tube structures;
• bonding the inner and outer tube structures to one another such that the radial clearance defines a chamber structure;
• providing a core structure of a support structure;
• and
• inserting the core structure into the chamber structure.

A low profile vascular graft comprising:

• a tube structure having outer and inner surfaces;
• and
• a support structure comprising a chamber structure secured to said outer or inner surface, said chamber structure having an inner surface which bounds an interior cavity within said chamber structure, said chamber structure comprising a semi-permeable membrane,
• said support structure further comprising a material contained within said chamber structure which, when said chamber structure is inserted into the body of a patient, will cause fluid flow through said semi-permeable membrane into said interior cavity to provide substantial resistance to deformation of said tube structure.