Prosthetic vascular graft
DC CAFCFirst Claim
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1. A prosthetic vascular structure of expanded polytetrafluorethylene having:
- (i) a macroscopically tubular configuration with proximal and distal ends, and (ii) a microscopic superstructure of irregularly spaced nodes of various sizes and shapes interconnected by fibrils;
said vascular structure further comprising;
a. an average wall thickness in the range between 0.2 and 0.8 millimeters;
b. a substantially uniform distribution of nodes throughout said tubular configuration;
c. an average density in the range between 0.2 and 0.5 grams per milliliter; and
d. an average distance between said nodes small enough to prevent transmural blood flow and thrombosis but no less than the maximum dimension of an average red cell;
whereby said structure may provide for the smooth flow of blood between at least two points in a living organism while controlling cellular ingrowth through the wall of the tubular configuration to promote and nourish a thin, viable neointima over the inner surface thereof and to firmly attach said prosthetic vascular structure to adjacent tissue of said living organism.
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Abstract
A prosthetic vascular graft with walls less than O.8B millimeters in thickness and formed of highly expanded polytetrafluoroethylene with a microscopic superstructure of nodes and interconnecting fibrils, which nodes are substantially uniformly separated by an average distance greater than a typical red cell. The superstructure of the graft controls transmural cellular ingrowth and assures the establishment and maintenance of a thin,viable neointima.
233 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A prosthetic vascular structure of expanded polytetrafluorethylene having:
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(i) a macroscopically tubular configuration with proximal and distal ends, and (ii) a microscopic superstructure of irregularly spaced nodes of various sizes and shapes interconnected by fibrils;
said vascular structure further comprising;
a. an average wall thickness in the range between 0.2 and 0.8 millimeters;
b. a substantially uniform distribution of nodes throughout said tubular configuration;
c. an average density in the range between 0.2 and 0.5 grams per milliliter; and
d. an average distance between said nodes small enough to prevent transmural blood flow and thrombosis but no less than the maximum dimension of an average red cell;
whereby said structure may provide for the smooth flow of blood between at least two points in a living organism while controlling cellular ingrowth through the wall of the tubular configuration to promote and nourish a thin, viable neointima over the inner surface thereof and to firmly attach said prosthetic vascular structure to adjacent tissue of said living organism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A prosthetic vascular structure of expanded polytetrafluorethylene having:
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(i) a macroscopically tubular configuration with proximal and distal ends, and (ii) a microscopic superstructure of irregularly spaced nodes of various sizes and shapes interconnected by fibrils;
said vascular structure including;
a. an average inside diameter in the range between 2 and 6 millimeters;
b. an average wall thickness in the range between 0.2 and 0.8 millimeters;
c. a substantially uniform distribution of generally ellipsoidal nodes having major axes disposed in a generally radial orientation with respect to the tubular configuration and an average minor axis dimension less than 18 microns;
d. an average density in the range between 0.2 and 0.8 grams per milliliter; and
e. a tensile strength in the range of between 2500 and 6500 pounds per square inch;
whereby said structure may provide for the smooth flow of blood between at least two points in a living organism while controlling cellular ingrowth through the wall of the tubular configuration to promote and nourish a thin, viable neointima over the inner surface thereof and to firmly attach said prosthetic vascular structure to adjacent tissue of said living organism.- View Dependent Claims (13)
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14. A prosthetic vascular graft of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene having a microscopic structure of nodes interconnected by fibrils comprising:
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a wall thickness within the range between 0.2 and 0.8 millimeters;
a substantially uniform distribution of nodes;
an average density in the range between 0.2 and 0.5 grams per milliliter; and
an average distance between nodes in the range of between about 6 to 80 microns. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A prosthetic vascular structure of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene having:
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(i) a macroscopically tubular configuration with proximal and distal ends, and (ii) a microscopic superstructure of irregularly spaced nodes of various sizes and shapes interconnected by fibrils;
said vascular structure including;
a. an average inside diameter in the range between 2 and 6 millimeters;
b. an average wall thickness in the range between 0.2 and 0.8 millimeters;
c. a substantially uniform distribution of generally ellipsoidal nodes having minor axes disposed in a generally transverse orientation with respect to the radial direction of the tubular configuration and an average minor axis dimension less than 18 microns;
d. an average density in the range between 0.2 and 0.5 grams per milliliter; and
e. an average distance between said nodes small enough to prevent transmural blood flow and thrombosis but no less than the maximum dimension of an average red cell;
whereby said structure may provide for the smooth flow of blood between at least two points in a living organism while controlling cellular ingrowth through the wall of the tubular configuration to promote and nourish a thin, viable neointima over the inner surface thereof and to firmly attach said prosthetic vascular structure to adjacent tissue of said living organism. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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- 20. An artificial vascular prosthesis comprising expanded, porous, polytetrafluorocthylene having a microstructure consisting of nodes interconnected by fibrils which permits tissue ingrowth, wherein an average distance between nodes is not less than about 6 microns and is small enough to prevent transrmural blood flow.
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25. A prosthetic vascular graft of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene having a microscopic structure of nodes interconnected by fibrils, said graft comprising:
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a wall thickness greater than about 0.2 millimeters and less than about 0.8 millimeters; and
an average distance between nodes in the range of between about 6 to 80 microns.
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26. A prosthetic vascular graft of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene having a microscopic structure of nodes interconnected by fibrils, said graft comprising:
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a wall thickness greater than about 0.2 millimeters and less than about 0.8 millimeters;
an average density in the range of between about 0.2 and 0.5 grams per milliliter; and
an average distance between nodes in the range of between about 6 to 80 microns.
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27. An artificial vascular prosthesis comprising expanded, porous, polytetrafluoroetylene having a microstructure consisting of nodes interconnected by fibrils which permits tissue ingrowth, wherein an average distance between nodes is not less than about 6 microns and is not greater than about 80 microns.
Specification