Fabrics for heart valve and vascular prostheses and methods of fabricating same
First Claim
1. A fabric for a cardiovascular prosthesis comprising woven multifilament polymeric yarns extending in first and second directions forming an angle therebetween, the yarns in each of said directions having crimps similarly oriented with respect to the plane of the fabric and being bloomed in their interstices to form a substantial number of open interstitial spaces in the range of 20 to 40 microns evenly distributed throughout the fabric, the stretch characteristic of the fabric having a region of easy elongation up to at least ten percent in at least one of said directions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Prostheses for inadequate or diseased heart valves and blood vessels, formed of fabrics comprising multifilament synthetic yarns. For a heart valve the fabric is supported on a three-lobed frame. During manufacture, the fabric is subjected to a plural step compressive shrinking and crimping process to impart nonisotropic elastic compliance approximating the natural mechanical properties. The resulting composite structures are free of thrombogenic complications.
73 Citations
12 Claims
- 1. A fabric for a cardiovascular prosthesis comprising woven multifilament polymeric yarns extending in first and second directions forming an angle therebetween, the yarns in each of said directions having crimps similarly oriented with respect to the plane of the fabric and being bloomed in their interstices to form a substantial number of open interstitial spaces in the range of 20 to 40 microns evenly distributed throughout the fabric, the stretch characteristic of the fabric having a region of easy elongation up to at least ten percent in at least one of said directions.
- 11. A fabric for a cardiovascular prosthesis comprising a flat braided ribbon having a selvage of uncut multifilament polymeric yarns extending in first and second directions forming an angle therebetween, the yarns in each of said directions having crimps similarly oriented with respect to the plane of the fabric and being bloomed in their interstices to form a substantial number of open interstitial spaces in the range of 20 to 40 microns evenly distributed throughout the fabric, the stretch characteristic of the fabric having a region of easy elongation up to at least ten percent in at least one of said directions.
Specification