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Laminated prosthesis and method of manufacture

  • US 5,935,164 A
  • Filed: 02/25/1997
  • Issued: 08/10/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/25/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of manufacturing a self-supporting, tissue expanding item constructed of multiple layers forming a molded flexible, expandable membrane surrounding and defining an interior lumen, said method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) applying a fluid material comprised of a polymer to a mandrel, said fluid material having filaments of a stretchable material mixed therein;

    (b) draining said fluid material off the mandrel in a first flow direction whereby said polymer and said filaments are generally oriented in said first flow direction;

    (c) allowing said fluid material to harden to form a resilient, stretchable first layer on the mandrel;

    (d) applying a second layer of the same said fluid and filament material onto said first layer;

    (e) changing the orientation of the mandrel to allow the fluid material to drain off the mandrel in a second flow direction whereby said polymer and said filaments comprising said second layer are generally oriented in said second flow direction, the second flow direction being at a first angle with respect to said first flow direction;

    (f) allowing the fluid material to harden to form a resilient, stretchable second layer on said first layer; and

    (g) removing said molded multi-layered item from said mandrel whereby the cooperation of the different directional layers form a strengthened, self-supporting, multi-layered, molded item.

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