Skewed nodal-fibril ePTFE structure
First Claim
1. An ePTFE structure comprising an ePTFE tubular structure having opposite ends and a longitudinal axis, said ePTFE tubular structure being formed from rotating said opposite ends relative to one another in a direction of rotation about said longitudinal axis, said ePTFE tubular structure comprising a node and fibril micro-structure in which substantially all of said fibrils are oriented in said direction of rotation.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The ePTFE structure includes an ePTFE tubular structure having opposite ends and a longitudinal axis. The ePTFE tubular structure is formed from rotating the opposite ends relative to one another in a direction of rotation about the longitudinal axis. The ePTFE tubular structure has a node and fibril micro-structure in which substantially all of the fibrils are oriented in the direction of rotation.
14 Citations
20 Claims
- 1. An ePTFE structure comprising an ePTFE tubular structure having opposite ends and a longitudinal axis, said ePTFE tubular structure being formed from rotating said opposite ends relative to one another in a direction of rotation about said longitudinal axis, said ePTFE tubular structure comprising a node and fibril micro-structure in which substantially all of said fibrils are oriented in said direction of rotation.
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9. An ePTFE structure comprising an ePTFE tubular structure having opposite ends and a longitudinal axis, said ePTFE tubular structure comprising a node and fibril micro-structure in which substantially all of said fibrils have an inclined orientation relative to said longitudinal axis wherein said inclined orientation is substantially constant between said opposite ends.
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10. A method for making an ePTFE structure, said method comprising:
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providing an ePTFE tubular structure having a longitudinal axis and opposite ends, the ePTFE tubular structure having a node and fibril micro-structure, fixing one end of the ePTFE tubular structure to obstruct rotation thereof about the longitudinal axis of the ePTFE tubular structure, rotating the other end of the ePTFE tubular structure about the longitudinal axis thereof to orient the fibrils of the node and fibril micro-structure in the direction of rotation of the other end relative to the one end of the ePTFE tubular structure. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification