Pressure lamination method for forming composite eptfe/textile and eptfe/stent/textile prostheses

Abstract

A method of forming a composite textile and ePTFE implantable device includes the steps of (a) providing an ePTFE layer having opposed surfaces comprising a microporous structure of nodes interconnected by fibrils; (b) providing a textile layer having opposed surfaces; (c) applying a coating of an elastomeric bonding agent to one of the opposed surfaces of the ePTFE layer or the textile layer; (d) providing a hollow member having an open end and an opposed closed end defining a fluid passageway therebetween and having a wall portion with at least one hole extending therethrough, the hole being in fluid communication with the fluid passageway; (e) concentrically placing the ePTFE layer and the textile layer onto the hollow member and over the at least one hole of the hollow member to provide an interior composite layer and an exterior composite layer, thereby defining a composite assembly, wherein the interior composite layer is one of the ePTFE layer or the textile layer and the exterior composite layer is the other of the ePTFE layer or the textile layer; (f) placing the hollow member with the composite assembly within a pressure chamber; (g) applying a pressure differential so that the pressure within the chamber is greater than a pressure within the fluid passageway of the hollow member; and (h) applying heat to the bonding agent to adhesively bond the textile layer and the ePTFE layer to provide a laminated composite assembly.