Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Other

Charles F White

Charles J Flynn

Ted R Farnsworth

William C Bruchman

Edward H Cully

Cody L Hartman

Paul D Gassler

William D Montgomery

Jerald M Crawley

Peter J Walsh

Byron K Hayes

John M Herman

William R Hardwick

Roy Biran

Charles Flynn

Michael J Vonesh

Joseph R Armstrong

Paul D Drumheller

Robert L Cleek

Rachel Radspinner

Paul Christopher Begovac

Mark D Butler

James Todd Walter

Ann M Bauman

Robert C Thomson

Philip P Off

Alonzo D Cook

Kirk W Bauer

Daniel S Gabrys

Ulf M E Wikesjo

Ryan V Peterson

Louise Nicholson Carter

Shawana White

Paul C Begovac

Ray V Peterson

Ted Farnsworth

A leaflet for a prosthetic valve formed of at least one layer that includes a composite material containing at least one expanded fluoropolymer membrane having serpentine fibrils and an elastomer is provided. The fluoropolymer may be polytetrafluoroethylene. In at least one embodiment, the elastic properties are present in an axial direction the leaflet. The leaflets may be single layered or multi-layered. The leaflets may be coupled to a support structure and movable between open and closed configurations relative to the support structure to form a heart valve. The elasticity within the leaflets permits, among other things, the leaflets to bend with a reduced occurrence of wrinkles as the valve opens and closes. The elastic properties of the leaflet also, among other things, improve bending properties and reduce closure stresses, thereby extending the life of the leaflet.

Elastomeric leaflet for prosthetic heart valves

Thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite materials are disclosed that are suitable for use in a valve for regulating blood flow direction. In one aspect, the composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as a prosthetic heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes a porous polymer membrane and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer fills substantially all of the pores of the porous polymer membrane.

Durable high strength polymer composites suitable for implant and articles produced therefrom

In some embodiments, a method may include selectively applying a mask to a first surface of a substrate. The mask may include one or more components defining a selected pattern and having a non-uniform density. The method may further include etching the first surface of the substrate based on the mask and selectively processing the first surface of the substrate to produce a multi-dimensional artwork.

Multi-dimensional art works and methods

Bioabsorbable self-expanding medical devices formed of an integral framework with a multiplicity of fenestrations are provided. The framework is continuous, non-filamentous, non-braided, and non-interlaced. The devices includes a non-blended hydrolysable co-polymeric material comprising an amorphous component with a glass transition temperature that is below ambient body temperature and a crystallizable component that possesses a crystalline melting point in excess of ambient body temperature. The devices radially expand from a compressed first diameter to an uncompressed second diameter equal to or greater than 1.5 times the first diameter within two minutes in an aqueous medium at 37&#xb0; C. following release of a compressive force placed on the devices. Additionally, the medical device does not change axial length significantly as the radial dimensions of the devices are changed. Further, the medical devices may be constructed of different bioabsorbable polymers, polymer ratios, and/or different geometries and portions may bioabsorb at different rates.

Bioabsorbable self-expanding endolumenal devices

A thin, biocompatible, high-strength, composite material is disclosed that is suitable for use in various implanted configurations. In one aspect, the composite material maintains flexibility in high-cycle flexural applications, making it particularly applicable to high-flex implants such as heart pacing lead or heart valve leaflet. The composite material includes a porous expanded fluoropolymer membrane and an elastomer, wherein the elastomer fills substantially all of the pores of the porous expanded fluoropolymer, and the composite material comprising less than about 80% fluoropolymer by weight.

Durable high strength polymer composite suitable for implant and articles produced therefrom

Disposable panty with integrated feminine pad

The present invention is directed to implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.

Composite self-cohered web materials

The present invention is a composite medical device having a non-bioabsorbable implantable tissue repair or reconstruction component and a resilient bioabsorbable support member component that aids in deployment and placement of the implantable component at a surgical site. Following deployment, the support member component is readily bioabsorbed and removed from the implantable component. The invention is particularly useful in laproscopic, endoluminal, and other surgical procedures.

Tissue repair device with a bioabsorbable support member

The present invention is directed to a method of making implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.

Method of making porous self-cohered web materials

Highly porous self-cohered web materials

Growing community of inventors

Camp Verde, AZ, United States of America

Charles F White