Surface modified expanded polytetrafluoroethylene devices and methods of producing the same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A material comprising:
- a surface comprising expanded PTFE having a node and fibril microstructure;
the surface having a number of node clusters, said node dusters comprising multiple nodes interconnected by fibrils, and gnarled nodes situated between the node clusters; and
said gnarled nodes having a protruding length and being substantially devoid of fibrils along the protruding length.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Improved processes for surface treating expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is disclosed and improved surface-treated devices made from the processes. The processes employ a laser to surface-modify an expanded PTFE structure to create a macro-roughened surface that has the capability to remain microporous throughout. The unique process of the present invention creates a ridge and valley structure on the surfaces of devices that includes unique gnarled nodes along valley floors.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A material comprising:
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a surface comprising expanded PTFE having a node and fibril microstructure;
the surface having a number of node clusters, said node dusters comprising multiple nodes interconnected by fibrils, and gnarled nodes situated between the node clusters; and
said gnarled nodes having a protruding length and being substantially devoid of fibrils along the protruding length. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
at least one gnarled node has a protruding length measured from a valley surface; the gnarled node is adjacent to a ridge having a height; and
the gnarled node protruding length is greater than the height of the adjacent ridge.
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3. A material according to claim 1 wherein
the gnarled node has a longitudinal axis and a protruding length measured from the valley surface; - and
the longitudinal axis has at least two angular deflection points.
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4. A material according to claim 1 wherein
said surface comprises a textured pattern having multiple ridges; - and
the multiple ridges are substantially parallel to each other.
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5. A material according to claim 1 wherein
the material is a sheet having two opposing surfaces; - and
one opposing surface has multiple ridges and valleys.
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6. A material according to claim 1 wherein
the material is a sheet having two opposing surfaces; - and
the two opposing surfaces have multiple ridges and valleys.
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7. A material according to claim 1 wherein the material comprises an implantable medical device.
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8. A material according to claim 7 wherein the material comprises an implantable sheet.
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9. A material comprising:
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a surface comprising expand d PTFE having a node and fibril microstructure;
said surface comprising a textured pattern having multiple ridges and valley surfaces, the ridges comprised of node clusters;
said node clusters comprising multiple nodes interconnected by fibrils;
the valley surfaces having gnarled nodes protruding therefrom; and
said gnarled nodes having a protruding length and being substantially devoid of fibrils along the protruding length. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
at least one gnarled node has a protruding length measured from a valley surface; the gnarled node is adjacent to a ridge having a height; and
the gnarled node protruding length is greater than the height of the adjacent ridge.
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11. A material according to claim 9 wherein
a gnarled node has a longitudinal axis and a protruding length measured from the valley surface; - and
the longitudinal axis has at least two angular deflection points.
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12. A material according to claim 9 wherein the multiple ridges are substantial parallel to each other.
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13. A material according to claim 9 wherein
the material is a sheet having two opposing surfaces; - and
one opposing surface has mu pie ridges and valleys.
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14. A material according to claim 9 wherein
the material is a sheet having two opposing surfaces; - and
two opposing surfaces have multiple ridges and valleys.
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15. A material according to claim 9 wherein the material comprises an implantable medical device.
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16. A material according to claim 15 wherein the material comprises an implantable sheet.
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17. A material comprising:
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expanded PTFE having a node and fibril microstructure;
at least one node having a protruding length measured from a valley surface, the at least one node being substantially devoid of fibrils along its protruding length;
the at least one node being adjacent to a ridge having a height; and
the protruding length of the node being greater than the height of the adjacent ridge.- View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
the surface comprises a PTFE having a node and fibril microstructure; - and
the surface has a number of node clusters, said node clusters comprising multiple nodes interconnected by fibrils, and the at least one node having a protruding length is situated between the node clusters.
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19. A material according to claim 17 wherein
the at least one node having a protruding length node has a longitudinal axis; - and
the longitudinal axis has at least two angular deflection points.
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20. A material according to claim 17 wherein
the material includes a surface having a textured pattern having multiple ridges; - and
the multiple ridges are substantially parallel to each other.
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21. A material according to claim 17 wherein
the material is a sheet having two opposing surfaces; - and
one opposing surface has multiple ridges and valleys.
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22. A material according to claim 17 wherein
the material is a sheet having two opposing surfaces; - and
the two opposing surfaces have multiple ridges and valleys.
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23. A material according to claim 17 wherein the material comprises an implantable medical device.
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24. A material according to claim 23 wherein the material comprises an implantable sheet.
Specification