POLYMER PROSTHESIS

• US 20100319836A1
• Filed: 08/21/2006
• Published: 12/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Original Assignee: C.R. Bard, Inc. (Becton, Dickinson & Co)
• Inventors: Blank, Thiemo, Wille, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,672,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/144
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2/89 the wire-like elements comprising two or more adjacent rings flexibly connected by separate members
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/072 Encapsulated stents, e.g. wire or whole stent embedded in lining
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/825 having longitudinal struts
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2002/828 Means for connecting a plurality of stents allowing flexibility of the whole structure
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/005 using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2220/0058 soldered or brazed or welded
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2250/0018 differing in elasticity, stiffness or compressibility

Abstract

A polymer prosthesis with lumen and an axial length and having in a pre-delivery condition a plurality of relatively stiff stenting segments spaced from each other along the length of the prosthesis, the spaces between the relatively stiff stenting segments of a first polymer being bridged by relatively flexible linking segments of a second polymer, different from the first, the relatively stiff stenting segments and the relatively flexible linking segments being alternately arranged along the length of the prosthesis.

Claims

1-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A polymer prosthesis, comprising:

a single generally tubular porous polymer member; and

a plurality of relatively stiff stenting segments spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the porous polymer member, the stenting segments formed of a polymer different from the polymer of the porous polymer member, each stenting segment disposed at least partially within interstices of the porous polymer member.

21. The prosthesis according to claim 20, wherein the stenting segments are positioned completely within the interstices of the porous polymer member.

22. The prosthesis according to claim 20, wherein a portion of each of the stenting segments is positioned radially outward from an outer surface of the porous polymer member.

23. The prosthesis according to claim 20, wherein a portion of each of the stenting segments is positioned radially inward from an inner surface of the porous polymer member.

24. The prosthesis according to claim 20, wherein the stenting segments are positioned both radially outward from an outer surface of the porous polymer member and radially inward from an inner surface of the porous polymer member.

25. The prosthesis according to claim 20, wherein each stenting segment includes an inner portion positioned radially inward from an inner surface of the porous polymer member and an outer portion positioned radially outward from an outer surface of the porous polymer member, the portion of the stenting segment between the inner portion and outer portion disposed within the interstices of the porous polymer member.

26. The prosthesis according to claim 20, wherein the polymer of the stenting segments is atomically different from the porous polymer member.

27. The prosthesis according to claim 20, wherein the polymer of the stenting segments has a glass transition temperature that is greater than 37°

C.

28. The prosthesis according to claim 20, wherein the porous polymer member comprises expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.

29. The prosthesis according to claim 20, wherein the stenting segments comprise a shape memory polymer.

30. The prosthesis according to claim 20, wherein the stenting segments are windings of a continuous helical member.

31. The prosthesis according to claim 20, wherein the stenting segments are discrete rings.

32. A method of making a polymer prosthesis, comprising:

providing a single generally tubular porous polymer member;

disposing a plurality of stenting segments along a surface of the porous polymer member at spaced apart intervals, the stenting segments formed of a polymer different from the polymer of the porous polymer member and relatively stiff in relation thereto; and

moving at least a portion of the stenting segments into interstices of the single porous polymer member.

33. The method according to claim 32, further comprising positioning the porous polymer member over a mandrel, wherein the moving step includes pressing the stenting segments through an outer surface of the porous polymer member into the interstices thereof.

34. The method according to claim 32, further comprising positioning the porous polymer member in a holding device such that an outer surface of the porous polymer member is engaged with one or more clamps, wherein the moving step includes pressing the stenting segments through an inner surface of the porous polymer member into the interstices thereof.

35. The method according to claim 32, further comprising the step of heating the stenting segments.

36. The method according to claim 32, further comprising the step of cooling the stenting segments.

37. The method according to claim 32, wherein the disposing step includes applying a continuous spiral of polymer along the surface, the stenting segments comprising windings of the spiral.

38. The method according to claim 32, wherein the disposing step includes applying discrete rings of polymer spaced apart along the surface.

39. A method of making a polymer prosthesis, comprising:

providing a porous polymer member; and

impregnating the porous polymer member with a plurality of stenting segments spaced apart along a longitudinal axis, the stenting segments formed of a polymer different from the polymer of the porous polymer member and relatively stiff in relation thereto.