Neovascularization promoting membrane for bioimplants

• US 7,147,813 B1
• Filed: 04/04/2005
• Issued: 12/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: iSense Acquisition, LLC, Konamite Limited
• Original Assignee: Isense Corporation
• Inventors: Ward, Kenneth, Boogaard, Jerome J.
• Primary Examiner(s): FORTUNA, ANA M
• Application Number:
  US11/098,989
• Time in Patent Office: 617 Days
• Field of Search: 604/19, 604/26, 604/175, 604/31, 606/76, 264/154, 623/23.3, 623/23.76, 210/500.27, 210/500.36, 210/500.4, 156/510, 424/472, 424/422, 424424-426
• US Class Current: 264/154
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 29/085 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 29/14 Materials characterised by their function or physical properties , e.g. lubricating compositions
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 29/146 Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/10 Macromolecular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/14 Materials characterised by their function or physical properties , e.g. injectable or lubricating compositions, shape-memory materials, surface modified materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61L 31/146 Porous materials, e.g. foams or sponges
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/42 Plastics B23K2103/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/50 Inorganic material, e.g. metals, not provided for in B23K2103/02 – B23K2103/26
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/382 by boring

Abstract

A method of addressing a condition of a living body comprising the steps of using an energy beam to form a set of pores in a work piece biocompatible membrane. The pores should have a mean area of less than 500 μm through the biocompatible membrane, thereby producing a microporous membrane adapted to facilitate tissue in growth. This membrane is placed at least partially about an article that is adapted to be implanted in a living body, which is implanted into the living body, thereby addressing the condition.

Claims

1. A method of addressing a condition of a living body comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a work piece biocompatible membrane;

(b) using an energy beam to form a set of pores, having a mean area of less than 500 μ

m² through said biocompatible membrane, thereby producing a microporous membrane adapted to facilitate tissue in growth; and

(c) providing an article that is adapted to be implanted in a living body;

(d) at least partially placing said article in said microporous membrane

(e) implanting said at least partially covered article into said living body, thereby addressing said condition.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said energy beam is a light beam.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said light beam is a laser beam.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said laser bream is formed in part by a mask placed over said biocompatible membrane.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein said laser beam is produced by nd:

YAG laser.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said energy beam is formed by a plasma protruding through a pore defined on a mask placed over said biocompatible membrane.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said living body implant is a catheter.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said work piece biocompatible membrane is porous.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said work piece biocompatible membrane is not porous.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said microporous membrane adapted to facilitate tissue in growth has been substantially optimally engineered to facilitate tissue in growth.