W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

Other

William Carl Bruchman

Paul Christopher Begovac

Carl W Bolton

James R Bain

Anita Jean Switzer

Stanislaw L Zukowski

Andrew B Berman

Scott N Stonebrook

Anita J Switzer

This invention is directed to improved blood contact devices such as vascular prostheses rendered substantially nonthrombogenic through addition of a preserved layer of extracellular subendothelial matrix. The preserved subendothelial matrix layer, which serves as the blood interface of the device, is analogous to the subendothelial matrix layer beneath the endothelium of native vascular surfaces. The device consists of a permanent synthetic base material, preferably porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, on which this biologic layer of subendothelial matrix is grown in situ. The biologic layer is produced using in vitro tissue culture methods whereby living cells synthesize and deposit extracellular matrix components, after which the cells are killed and/or removed and the subendothelial matrix layer preserved before implantation. A key aspect of this invention is that no living cells are present in the final configuration, so that the likelihood of recipient immunological response is minimized. This invention results in vascular prostheses that are particularly useful for arterial bypass requiring a diameter of 6 mm or less.

Blood contact surfaces using extracellular matrix synthesized in vitro

This invention relates to improved blood contact devices such as vascular prostheses rendered antithrombotic through the use of recipient endothelial cells grown on an appropriate subendothelial matrix. The subendothelial matrix layer, which serves as the substratum for growing endothelial cells, may be obtained from either natural donor vessels or from in vitro tissue culture sources. This subendothelial matrix is used in situ on the donor vessel, or is grown or applied to a synthetic component, preferably porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene. Once this subendothelial matrix is prepared, recipient endothelial cells are seeded onto this matrix substratum, which then serves as the immediate blood contact surface. The endothelial cells may be applied as an intra-operative procedure, or grown on the subendothelial matrix substratum in vitro until the cells establish a confluent monolayer. A key aspect of this invention is that living, recipient endothelial cells are grown on the appropriate subendothelial matrix substratum, thereby providing a substantially nonthrombotic blood contact surface. Furthermore, the likelihood of recipient immunological response is minimized. This invention results in vascular prostheses that are particularly useful for arterial bypass requiring a diameter of 6 mm or less.

Blood contact surfaces using endothelium on a subendothelial matrix

This invention relates to improved vascular prostheses derived from mammalian blood vessels. The prostheses are fabricated from arterial segments from which the donor endothelium has been removed. A key aspect of this invention is the preservation of the subendothelial extracellular matrix that will serve as the blood interface of the vascular prostheses. The vessel segments are treated to reduce the likelihood of calcification and fixed with a tissue preservative. This invention results in vascular prostheses that are particularly useful for small diameter applications, such as arterial replacement requiring a diameter of 6 mm or less.

Blood contact surfaces employing natural subendothelial matrix and

This invention is directed to improved blood contact devices such as vascular prostheses rendered substantially nonthrombogenic through addition of a preserved layer of extracellular subendothelial matrix. The preserved subendothelial matrix layer, which serves as the blood interface of the device, is analogous to the subendothelial matrix layer beneath the endothelium of native vascular surfaces. The device consists of a permanent synthetic base material, preferably porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, on which this biologic layer of subendothelial matrix is grown in situ. The biologic layer is produced using in vitro tissue culture methods whereby living cells synthesize and deposit extracellular matrix components, after which the cells are killed and/or removed and the subendothelial matrix layer preserved before implantation. A key aspect of this invention is that no living Cells are present in the final configuration, so that the likelihood of recipient immunological response is minimized. This invention results in vascular prostheses that are particularly useful for arterial bypass requiring a diameter of 6 mm or less.

The present invention is directed to a sheath for use with vascular prostheses derived from donor blood vessels, particularly mammalian blood vessels. A vascular prosthesis of the present invention employs an external sheath around a donor blood vessel. The sheath prevents access to the donor vessel wall by host cells originating from perigraft tissue. While resistant to host cell ingrowth, the external sheath is permeable to the flux of macromolecules across its thickness. The exclusion of host cells by the external sheath and the bi-directional flow of macromolecules through the external sheath assists in maintaining the original function of the underlying donor vascular tissue of the prosthesis.

Cell excluding sheath for vascular grafts

The inventive article is a ligament or tendon prosthesis having multiple longitudinally parallel strands of microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, the individual strands having an average porosity greater than 30% in the areas requiring tissue ingrowth. Additionally, strand dimensions and microstructure are selected so that tissue can penetrate throughout. The prosthesis is formed from multiple loops of a single continuous filament. Densified eyelets are formed in the loop for mounting to bone. The strands are twisted 180.degree. or arranged in a loose braid about the prosthesis axis for improved load distribution during bending of the prosthesis.

Prosthesis for tensile load-carrying tissue and method of manufacture

This invention provides for an improved implantable prosthetic device and in particular to a prosthetic ligament or tendon. One process provides for a means by which tensile loads may be transferred from one-load bearing member of the prosthesis to another so that damage at different sites is isolated. Another process provides a means by which the prosthesis is more abrasion resistant.

Ligament and tendon prosthesis

The inventive article is a ligament or tendon prosthesis having multiple longitudinally parallel strands of microporous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, the individual strands having an average porosity greater than 30% in the areas requiring tissue ingrowth. Additionally, strand dimensions and microstructure are selected so that tissue can penetrate throughout. The prosthesis is formed from multiple loops of a single continuous filament. Densified eyelets are formed in the loop for mounting to bone. The strands are twisted 180.degree. or arranged in a loose braid about the prothesis axis for improved load distribution during bending of the prosthesis.

Prosthesis for tensile-load-carrying tissue and method of manufacture

The present invention relates to a prosthetic ligament comprising at least one intra-osseous bearing members in a bone of a joint and an intra-articular linkage means connecting the intra-osseous member to the other bone so that multiple degrees of motion are provided between the bones.

Mechanical ligament

A percutaneous device to provide a path from the exterior of the epidermal tissue to interior body spaces and structures with a skirt of material with PTFE having an open microstructure for the ingrowth of epidermal and connective tissue.

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Flagstaff, AZ, United States of America

William Carl Bruchman