C. R. Bard, Inc.

Bard Peripheral Vascular, Inc.

Impra, Inc., a Subsidiary of C.r. Bard, Inc.

Debra A Bebb

Sandra M Cundy

John D McDermott

Hans Scholz

Richard E Layne

Jurgen Dorn

Richard W Layne

Robert M Carr

Robert M Carr, Jr

Jürgen Dorn

A stent device includes a first graft member, a second graft member and a stent frame defining a central axis. The frame has an abluminal surface engaged with the first graft member and a luminal surface engaged with the second graft member such that the first graft member and the second graft member encapsulates the stent frame along the length of the central axis. The stent frame includes a configuration where the stent frame is disposed on a curvature such that the abluminal surface has a radius of curvature of approximately 20 millimeters about a center of the curvature and the luminal surface defines a substantially constant effective cross-sectional area at any portion generally transverse to the central axis of the stent frame disposed about the curvature.

Flexible stretch stent-graft

A method of making an implantable medical device includes extruding a first ePTFE tube and a second ePTFE tube, cutting a plurality of slits in the first ePTFE tube, positioning a radially expandable support layer between the first and second ePTFE tubes so that the slits span portions of the support layer, and laminating the first ePTFE tube to the second ePTFE tube through openings in the support layer.

Partial encapsulation of stents

A vascular graft with trim lines is described, the trim lines providing a guide for precision shaping of the cuff. The trim lines may be printed or otherwise disposed on a surface of the cuff or included on a template designed for disposition over the cuff. The trim lines may also be disposed on a side of a pocket into which the cuff is positioned for trimming. Also described is an apparatus and method for precise trimming of a vascular graft.

Trimming apparatus

A stent device () comprises a first graft member (), a second graft member and a stent frame () defining a central axis. The frame has an abluminal surface engaged with the first graft member and a luminal surface engaged with the second graft member such that the first graft member and the second graft member encapsulates the stent frame along the length of the central axis. The stent frame includes a configuration where the stent frame is disposed on a curvature such that the abluminal surface has a radius of curvature of approximately 20 millimeters about a center of the curvature and the luminal surface defines a substantially constant effective cross-sectional area at any portion generally transverse to the central axis of the stent frame disposed about the curvature.

Flanged graft with trim lines

Partially encapsulated stents are made using gaps cut into ePTFE covering material. Ring stents are placed over an inner ePTFE tube (e.g., supported on a mandrel) and are covered by a &ldquo;lacey&rdquo; graft sleeve, which is constructed by cutting apertures into an ePTFE tube so that a series of circumferential and longitudinal strips is created. This &ldquo;lacey&rdquo; sleeve is then laminated to the inner ePTFE tube to capture the stents. By selecting the size and position of the apertures in the ePTFE covering, it is possible to leave critical parts of the stent unencapsulated to facilitate flexibility and expansion. Alternatively, the gaps can consist of slits cut into the ePTFE covering material. These slits can be cut in any direction including longitudinally, radially, or diagonally. In addition, the slits can be spaced at varying intervals around the covering material to maximize flexibility and expandability. Although a single stent can be used, these approaches lend themselves to use of a plurality of individual ring stents spaced apart along the inner ePTFE tube.

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Mesa, AZ, United States of America

Debra A Bebb