POROUS IMPLANT WITH EFFECTIVE EXTENSIBILITY AND METHODS OF FORMING AN IMPLANT
First Claim
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1. A method of forming an implant, comprising the steps of:
- providing a layer of ePTFE and an inner element, the layer having a width and a length, the layer of ePTFE comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of fibrils extending between the nodes;
reducing the length of the ePTFE layer while the ePTFE layer remains a substantially flat sheet; and
attaching the layer of ePTFE to the inner element after the reducing step.
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Abstract
The implant includes an outer layer of ePTFE which exhibits extensibility normally not associated with ePTFE. The ePTFE is reduced in length by deforming the fibrils between the nodes while maintaining the nodes in a substantially flat configuration. Various implant configurations that can include the outer layer described are also disclosed.
620 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of forming an implant, comprising the steps of:
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providing a layer of ePTFE and an inner element, the layer having a width and a length, the layer of ePTFE comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of fibrils extending between the nodes; reducing the length of the ePTFE layer while the ePTFE layer remains a substantially flat sheet; and attaching the layer of ePTFE to the inner element after the reducing step. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of forming an implant, comprising the steps of:
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providing a layer of ePTFE and an inner element, the layer having a width and a length, the layer of ePTFE comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of fibrils extending between the nodes; reducing the length of the ePTFE layer at least 10% while maintaining a substantially smooth surface of the layer, the reducing step is carried out so that a distance between the nodes is decreased while maintaining the nodes in a substantially flat sheet, the fibrils between the nodes being deformed to accommodate the reduction in length; stretching the layer of ePTFE to increase the width of the ePTFE layer before the reducing step; and attaching the layer of ePTFE to the inner element after the reducing step.
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16. An implant which may be implanted into a patient, comprising:
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a layer of ePTFE having a plurality of fibrils extending between nodes; an inner element, the layer of ePTFE being attached to the inner element; wherein the layer of ePTFE has a substantially flat surface, the ePTFE having fibrils which are retained in a deformed, compressed configuration. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification