Partial encapsulation of stents
First Claim
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1. An implantable medical device, comprising:
- a first and second extruded ePTFE tube, wherein said first ePTFE tube comprises a plurality of slits formed therein; and
a radially expandable support layer comprising at least one stent, wherein said support layer is positioned between said first and second ePTFE tubes and is at least partially encapsulated therebetween.
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Abstract
An implantable medical device having a first and second ePTFE tube with a support layer positioned therebetween. The support layer may include a plurality of ring stents or may be a single stent structure. Slits may be cut into the first and/or second ePTFE tube to provide flexibility to the implantable medical device. These slits may be cut in any direction (longitudinally, circumferentially, diagonally, etc.) and may be oriented with respect to the support layer such that a desired degree of flexibility may be attained. The first and second ePTFE tubes may be bonded together through openings in the support layer to produce a partially encapsulated stent device.
131 Citations
24 Claims
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1. An implantable medical device, comprising:
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a first and second extruded ePTFE tube, wherein said first ePTFE tube comprises a plurality of slits formed therein; and
a radially expandable support layer comprising at least one stent, wherein said support layer is positioned between said first and second ePTFE tubes and is at least partially encapsulated therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An implantable medical device, comprising:
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a first and second extruded ePTFE tube, wherein said first ePTFE tube comprises a plurality of slits formed therein, wherein said plurality of slits are oriented longitudinally on said first ePTFE tube; and
a radially expandable support layer comprising at least one stent, wherein said support layer is positioned between said first and second ePTFE tubes and is at least partially encapsulated therebetween.
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18. An implantable medical device, comprising:
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a first and second extruded ePTFE tube, wherein said first ePTFE tube comprises a plurality of slits formed therein, wherein said plurality of slits are oriented circumferentially on said first ePTFE tube; and
a radially expandable support layer comprising at least one stent, wherein said support layer is positioned between said first and second ePTFE tubes and is at least partially encapsulated therebetween.
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19. An implantable medical device, comprising:
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a first and second extruded ePTFE tube, wherein said first ePTFE tube comprises a plurality of slits formed therein; and
a radially expandable support layer comprising a plurality of ring stents formed in a zigzag pattern of alternating peaks and valleys, wherein said support layer is positioned between said first and second ePTFE tubes and is at least partially encapsulated therebetween.
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20. A method for making an implantable medical device, comprising the steps of:
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providing a first and second extruded ePTFE tube;
cutting a plurality of slits in said first ePTFE tube;
positioning a radially expandable support layer, comprising at least one stent, between said first and second ePTFE tubes; and
subjecting the device to heat and pressure such that said first and second ePTFE tubes bond together through openings in said support layer. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification