Patent ID: 6790225
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: A61F,A61L,B29C,B29K,B29L,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for manufacturing an integrally stented, tubular, PTFE graft that is alternately deployable in a radially compact configuration having a first diameter and a radially expanded configuration having a second diameter, said method comprising the steps of:a) extruding a PTFE paste to form a tubular PTFE extrudate; b) longitudinally expanding the tubular PTFE extrudate to form a tubular base graft; c) positioning the tubular base graft on a generally cylindrical mandrel; d) providing a generally cylindrical stent having a longitudinal bore extending therethrough, wherein said stent is alternately radially compressible to a first diameter and radially expandable to a second diameter, said stent having a plurality of lateral openings; e) mounting said stent over the tubular base graft positioned upon said mandrel, such that the tubular base graft is coaxially disposed within the longitudinal bore of said stent in abutting contact therewith; f) extruding a PTFE paste dispersion as a film, expanding the film, sintering the film between 350Â° C.-420Â° C., and forming expanded, sintered PTFE, tape from the film; g) wrapping the expanded, sintered PTFE, tape around the exterior of said stent to form an outer tubular layer thereon in abutting contact therewith; and, h) at a first predetermined temperature and a first predetermined time, fusing by heating, said base graft, said stent and said outer tubular layer while mounted on and secured to said mandrel, whereby said outer tubular layer and said base graft become attached to one another through said lateral openings thereby forming said stented graft.