Modified porous polyolefin film and method of making

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a porous hybrid elastomer/polyolefin film, which is a porous polyolefin film wherein at one or more isolated areas of the film pores are at least partly filled with an elastomer. This hybrid film shows improved resistance to tearing, whereas other properties like porosity, polarity, thickness, flexibility, and non-stickiness of the film are substantially retained. Other advantages include improved suture retention. The invention also provides a method to increase tear resistance of a porous polyolefin film comprising steps of providing a porous polyolefin film; identifying one or more locations on the film, at which locations tearing is likely to occur during intended use of the film; applying at the identified locations of the film an amount of a solution of an elastomer in solvent; and substantially removing the solvent; to result in a hybrid elastomer/polyolefin film having one or more isolated areas where pores in the film are at least partly filled with the elastomer. Further aspects concern uses of these hybrid films as a component of a medical implant or device, especially for use in contact with body tissue or fluids, such as in vascular applications like a vascular graft, a stent cover or a catheter balloon; and medical devices or implants comprising said porous hybrid films.