Green fluoropolymer tube and endovascular prosthesis formed using same
AssigneeBoston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
InventorsDavid J. Sogard, Jason P. Hill, Timothy S. Girton, Christopher B. Brodeur
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to a green fluoropolymer tube which has a wall thickness of about 250 microns or less, preferably about 200 microns or less, and more preferably about 125 microns or less. With such thinness, the green tube may be formed into a tube of expanded fluoropolymer having a wall thickness of about 250 microns or less, preferably about 200 μm or less and more preferably about 125 microns or less. Such an expanded fluoropolymer tube is particularly well-suited for use as an endovascular prosthesis, such as a graft, or in a stent-graft, because of its flexibility and strength.
Claims28
A process for forming an implantable prosthesis, comprising the steps of:
- extruding an extrudate consisting on a lubricant and PTFE to form a tubular member having a wall with an inner surface and an outer surface, a thickness being defined between said inner and outer surfaces in the range of about 250 μm or less at the exit of an extruder die used in the extruding, wherein said inner surface has a smooth inner surface having a single constant diameter;
- wherein a pressurized stable medium is injected into a lumen of said tubular member during extrusion to provide support thereof;
- and
- disposing a distensible member concentrically relative to said tubular member.
A method of forming a stent-graft device comprising the steps of:
- forming an expandable fluoropolymeric tube from an extruded green fluoropolymer tube having a wall thickness of about 250 μm or less, said green fluoropolymer tube having an inner surface, said inner surface having a smooth inner surface having a single constant diameter;
- wherein a pressurized stable medium is injected into a lumen of said green fluoropolymer tube during extrusion of said green fluoropolymer tube to provide support thereof;
- and
- dispensing a distensible member concentrically thereabout.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.