US 7,815,763 B2Granted

Porous membranes for medical implants and methods of manufacture

AssigneeAbbott Laboratories Vascular Enterprises Limited

InventorsJoost J. Fierens, Erhard Huesler, Arik Zucker, Eric Marcoux, Philippe Nicaise, Sebastien Dubois

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Abstract

The present invention involves porous polymer membranes, suitable for use in medical implants, having controlled pore sizes, pore densities and mechanical properties. Methods of manufacturing such porous membranes are described in which a continuous fiber of polymer is extruded through a reciprocating extrusion head and deposited onto a substrate in a predetermined pattern. When cured, the polymeric material forms a stable, porous membrane suitable for a variety of applications, including reducing emboli release during and after stent delivery, and providing a source for release of bioactive substances to a vessel or organ and surrounding tissue.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A method of making a single-layer porous membrane for use in medical implants comprising:

extruding a continuous fiber-forming biocompatible polymeric material through a reciprocating extrusion head to form an elongated fiber;
depositing the fiber with a width of 5 to 500 micrometers onto a substrate in a predetermined pattern of non-crossing traces, the traces extending adjacently from a first end to a second end of the substrate, each trace contacting its adjacent traces in an alternating manner, the traces defining a plurality of pores of predetermined sizes, the fiber having a predetermined viscous characteristic that enables adjacent traces to bond to each other;
and
thermally drying the biocompatible material on the substrate to provide a stable, single-layer porous membrane.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/313,110Filed 19 Dec 2005 · continuation in part
Priority: 28 Sep 2001
Published: US 2006/0175727 A110 Aug 2006
Granted: 19 Oct 2010
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification40 codes

D04H 3/07
Characterised by the method of forming fleeces or layers, e.g. reorientation of yarns or filaments: otherwise than in a plane, e.g. in a tubular way
A61F 2/91
Characterised by a net-like or mesh-like structure: made from perforated sheets or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes
A61F 2/915
Made from perforated sheets or tubes, e.g. perforated by laser cuts or etched holes: with bands having a meander structure, adjacent bands being…
B29C 48/151
Incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. extrusion moulding around inserts: coating hollow articles

Family

Application09/967,789Parent of this continuation · filed 28 Sep 2001
Application10/859,636Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 3 Jun 2004
US 6,755,856 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 29 Jun 2004
Application60/637,495Us provisional application · filed 20 Dec 2004
US 2006/0175727 A1Pre-grant publication · published 10 Aug 2006
Application10/859,636Parent of this continuation
US 2002/0035394 A1Published application
US 2004/0236407 A1Published application
US 7,927,364 B2Related patent
US 7,815,763 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.