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Method of making an expandable fluoropolymer device

  • US 6,395,208 B1
  • Filed: 10/01/1999
  • Issued: 05/28/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/25/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of manufacturing a radially expandable device having a shaped body, the method comprising the steps of:

  • forming a tube of expanded fluoropolymer material having an initial diameter and microporous through-pores, the tube having an inlet;

    applying a radial expansion force to the tube through the inlet to expand the tube from the initial diameter to a second diameter and to alter the geometry of the microporous through-pores to thereby form the shaped body, the shaped body having a fine nodal structure conducive to radial expansion by a radial deployment force; and

    removing the expansion force, wherein the shaped body is radially expandable from a reduced diameter configuration to the second diameter upon application of the radial deployment force from a deployment mechanism within the shaped body as fluid permeates through the microporous through-pores.

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