METHODS OF MAKING A PROSTHETIC VALVE WITH A DURABLE HIGH STRENGTH POLYMER COMPOSITE LEAFLET
First Claim
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1. A method of making a prosthetic valve, comprising:
- providing a support structure defining a plurality of posts; and
coupling a leaflet to each of the plurality of posts, each leaflet movable between open and closed positions, each leaflet including at least three layers of a composite material, the composite material including a fluoropolymer layer having a plurality of pores and an elastomer present in the pores of the fluoropolymer layer, the at least three layers of composite material being coupled together with a layer of the elastomer between each of the at least three layers of composite material, a method of making the composite material comprising;
dissolving an elastomer in a solvent suitable to create a solution to fill the pores of the fluoropolymer layer;
filling the pores of the fluoropolymer layer; and
allowing the solvent to evaporate so that the elastomer remains in the pores of the fluoropolymer layer.
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Abstract
Methods are provided to make a prosthetic valve having a thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite material. In one aspect, the composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as a heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes a porous expanded fluoropolymer membrane and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer is present in the pores of the porous expanded fluoropolymer.
4 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of making a prosthetic valve, comprising:
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providing a support structure defining a plurality of posts; and coupling a leaflet to each of the plurality of posts, each leaflet movable between open and closed positions, each leaflet including at least three layers of a composite material, the composite material including a fluoropolymer layer having a plurality of pores and an elastomer present in the pores of the fluoropolymer layer, the at least three layers of composite material being coupled together with a layer of the elastomer between each of the at least three layers of composite material, a method of making the composite material comprising; dissolving an elastomer in a solvent suitable to create a solution to fill the pores of the fluoropolymer layer; filling the pores of the fluoropolymer layer; and allowing the solvent to evaporate so that the elastomer remains in the pores of the fluoropolymer layer. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method of making a prosthetic valve, comprising:
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providing a support structure defining a plurality of posts; and coupling a leaflet to each of the plurality of posts, each leaflet movable between open and closed positions, each leaflet including at least three layers of a composite material, the composite material including a fluoropolymer layer having a plurality of pores and an elastomer present in the pores of the fluoropolymer layer, the at least three layers of composite material being coupled together with a layer of the elastomer between each of the at least three layers of composite material, a method of making the composite material comprising delivering the elastomer via a dispersion to fill the pores of the fluoropolymer layer. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A method of making a prosthetic valve, comprising:
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providing a support structure defining a plurality of posts; and coupling a leaflet to each of the plurality of posts, each leaflet movable between open and closed positions, each leaflet including at least three layers of a composite material, the composite material including a fluoropolymer layer having a plurality of pores and an elastomer present in the pores of the fluoropolymer layer, the at least three layers of composite material being coupled together with a layer of the elastomer between each of the at least three layers of composite material, a method of making the composite material comprising bringing the at least one fluoropolymer layer into contact with a sheet of the elastomer under conditions of heat and/or pressure that allows the elastomer to fill the pores of the fluoropolymer layer. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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Specification