Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.

Scimed Life Systems, Inc.

Christopher Brian Brodeur

Jason P Hill

David John Sogard

Timothy Samuel Girton

Howard Wolek

Alice Wong

James Venditti

Scott Raymond Smith

Susan M Shoemaker

A radiopaque implantable prosthesis including a polymeric prosthesis made from ePTFE having a node and fibril structure and a radiopaque filler integral with at least a portion of the node and fibril structure of the ePTFE. A method of making the prosthesis is also provided.

Radiopaque ePTFE medical devices

The present invention is directed to a green fluoropolymer tube which has a wall thickness of about 250 microns or less, preferably about 200 microns or less, and more preferably about 125 microns or less. With such thinness, the green tube may be formed into a tube of expanded fluoropolymer having a wall thickness of about 250 microns or less, preferably about 200 &#x3bc;m or less and more preferably about 125 microns or less. Such an expanded fluoropolymer tube is particularly well-suited for use as an endovascular prosthesis, such as a graft, or in a stent-graft, because of its flexibility and strength.

Green fluoropolymer tube and endovascular prosthesis formed using same

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for manufacturing polymeric thin-walled tubular members, which are well-suited for use as vascular grafts. The apparatus of the present invention enables extrusion of a tubular member having an extremely thin wall thickness so as to facilitate passage through tortuous vascular passageways. The apparatus achieves uniform wall thickness in a tubular member by establishing and maintaining axial alignment of a ram having a concentrically disposed guide rod therein with a die supported in concentric relation to the guide rod.

Apparatus and method for extrusion of thin-walled tubes

A tubular implantable prosthesis is formed of porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. The tubular prosthesis includes a substantially continuous ePTFE tubular first body and perimetrically non-continuous second tubular body. A circumferentially deformable support structure is interposed between the inner and outer tubular bodies. The second tubular body is formed of a plurality of elongate PTFE strips. The strips are secured to the first body and arranged longitudinally in a non-overlapping relationship. The prosthesis provides for both axial and radial compliance.

Composite tubular prostheses

A composite stent/graft tubular prosthesis includes an inner PTFE tubular structure, an outer PTFE tubular structure assembled about the inner PTFE tubular structure, and a circumferentially distensible stent interposed between the inner and outer PTFE tubular structures. The outer tubular body is a non-continuous body formed of polytetrafluoroethylene components, providing axial and circumferential compliance to said prosthesis. The outer tubular body completely overlies the distensible stent.

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Andover, MN, United States of America

Christopher Brian Brodeur