W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Gore Enterprise Holdings, Inc.

Gore Hybrid Technologies, Inc.

Other

Daniel F Davidson

Michael J Vonesh

David J Myers

Robert L Cleek

Stanley L Mish

Mark D Butler

William R Hardwick

Jeanne B Ambruster

Todd V Scantlebury

Stephen E Campbell

Jerry L Johnson

James W Moore, Iii

Suzanne Motsinger

Larry J Kovach

James H Brauker

Mark Joseph Ulm

Vincent L Perko

Leslie C Butters

Ace M Baty

Joshua D Williams

Melissa J Matzen

An ePTFE vascular graft having a smooth PTFE luminal surface which is substantially non-adhesive to occlusive blood components. Preferably the graft is a longitudinally extruded and expanded ePTFE tube of about 10-30 microns mean fibril length and is provided with a luminal surface covering of an ePTFE film of small mean fibril length (5 microns of less) which provides the smooth luminal PTFE surface. The graft is anticipated to be particularly effective as a small diameter graft (6 mm or smaller). It is anticipated to have utility as a conventional vascular graft, as a cardiovascular patch and as an intraluminal vascular graft and as a covering for stents.

Vascular graft with improved flow surfaces

This invention relates generally to an implantable containment apparatus made of selectively permeable material. In particular, the implantable containment apparatus is used to contain a therapeutical device, a cell encapsulation device, or a gene therapy device. A therapeutical device can be easily placed and replaced in an apparatus of the present invention without damaging tissues associated with the selectively permeable material of the apparatus.

Implantable containment apparatus for a therapeutical device

This invention relates generally to an implantable containment apparatus made of selectively permeable material. In particular, the implantable containment apparatus is used to contain a therapeutical device, such as a drug delivery device, a cell encapsulation device, or a gene therapy device. A therapeutical device can be easily placed and replaced in an apparatus of the present invention without damaging tissues associated with the selectively permeable material of the apparatus.

Method of making an implantable containment apparatus for a

Implantable containment apparatus for a therapeutical device and method

A method of making a mechanical cable having a steel wire core, a layer of fluoropolymer adhesive covering the steel wire core, and an outer layer of porous PTFE covering the layer of fluoropolymer adhesive. The mechanical cable may be a component of a mechanical cable system wherein the mechanical cable slides axially or rotates within a surrounding support tube. The support tube preferably has an inner surface comprised of non-porous PTFE. The support tube may optionally incorporate a contamination seal at the ends of the support tube to reduce the entrance of contaminating dirt and water into the system. The layer of porous PTFE covering the steel wire core may optionally be filled with a lubricating and abrasion resistant filler such as graphite.

Method of making a mechanical cable

An improved mechanical control cable system of the push-pull type. Conventional push-pull cable systems typically include straight portions and curved portions. These conventional systems incorporate a push-pull cable having a metal wire housing enclosing at least the curved portion of the system and frequently both the curved and straight portions. These metal wire housings frequently incorporate a tubular polymeric liner only within the metal wire housing. The improved system has a continuous tubular polymeric liner enclosing both the curved and straight system portions while only the curved system portions are further enclosed by a metal wire housing.

Mechanical control cable system

A catheter guidewire having a covering of a fluoropolymer tape. The tape may be applied either helically or longitudinally to the outer surface of the guidewire or to the surface of the wire from which the guidewire is made. Such a covering is inert, lubricious, flexible, will not flake, and can be applied as an extremely thin coating. Additionally, such a covering allows the guidewire to tolerate the application of greater force before uncoiling and wire breakage occurs. Other catheter guidewire devices having fluoropolymer tape coverings are also described.

Catheter guidewire device having a covering of fluoropolymer tape

A method for treatment of periodontal disease is disclosed. The gingival tissue is separated from the tooth surface in an area where periodontal disease is present. A biocompatible, porous material such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene capable of supporting ingrowth of gingival connective tissue and preventing apical migration of gingival epithelium is placed in a laminar relationship to a portion of the perimenter of the tooth surface. The gingival tissue is repositioned around the tooth and in contact with the porous material, with the porous material positioned between the gingival tissue and the tooth. Articles for the treatment of periodontal disease are also disclosed. One article comprises a first portion which is capable of supporting ingrowth of gingival connective tissue and preventing apical migration of gingival epithelium and a second portion which is impermeable to oral tissues and bacteria. Articles and methods for the treatment of bone defects are also disclosed. The articles have a first portion with a surface capable of supporting connective tissue ingrowth configured to contact the bone surrounding the defect and a second portion with a surface substantially impermeable to tissue ingrowth and bacteria invasion extending from the first portion to cover the defect.

Methods and articles for treating periodontal disease and bone defects

A method for treatment of periodontal disease is disclosed. The gingival tissue is separated from the tooth surface in an area where periodontal disease is present. A biocompatible, porous material such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene capable of supporting ingrowth of gingival connective tissue and preventing apical migration of gingival epithelium is placed in a laminar relationship to a portion of the perimeter of the tooth surface. The gingival tissue is repositioned around the tooth and in contact with the porous material, with the porous material positioned between the gingival tissue and the tooth. Articles for the treatment of periodontal disease are also disclosed. One article comprises a first portion which is capable of supporting ingrowth of gingival connective tissue and preventing apical migration of gingival epithelium and a second portion which is impermeable to oral tissues and bacteria.

Growing community of inventors

Flagstaff, AZ, United States of America

Daniel F Davidson