TITLE: Cardiovascular graft and method forming same.
European Patent Application EP0159034 A2

ABSTRACT:
The method for forming a biocompatible polymer graft particularly
adapted for cardiovascular use comprises the steps of: choosing a
suitable, non-sovent, two component, hydrophilic of hydrophobic
biocompatible polymer system from which the graft may be formed;
choosing a suitable water soluble inorganic salt to be compounded with
the biocompatible polymer system; grinding the salt crystals and
passing same through a sieve having a pre-determined mesh size; drying
the salt crystals; compounding the salt crystals with the biocompatible
polymer system; forming a tube from said compounded salt and polymer
system by reaction injection or cast molding; and leaching the salt
crystals from the formed tube with water, said leaching of said salt
crystals providing a tube with a network of interconnecting cells
formed in the area from whch the salt crystals have been leached.
sFurther, according to the present invention, there is also provided a
graft particularly adapted for cardiovascular use, said graft
comprising a tube which has been reaction injection molded, cast
molded, or extruded from a non-solvent, two component hydrophilic or
hydrophobic biocompatible polymer system and which has a honeycomb of
interconnecting cells throughout the thickness of its wall formed by
the leaching of a compounded inorganic salt therefrom.

INVENTORS:
Pinchuk, Leonard

APPLICATION NUMBER: EP19850104677
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/23/1985
FILING DATE: 04/17/1985

ASSIGNEE: CORDIS CORP (US)
INTERNATIONAL CLASSES: A61F2/06; A61L27/14; A61L27/18; A61L27/56; C08J9/24; C08J9/26;
(IPC1-7): A61L27/00; C08J9/26
EUROPEAN CLASSES: A61F2/06; A61L27/14; A61L27/18; A61L27/56; C08J9/24; C08J9/26

DOMESTIC PATENT REFERENCES:
EP0051955 Porous body-implantable polytetrafluoroethylene composites.

FOREIGN REFERENCES:
GB1552388A
3556161 STRUCTURES OF POLYTETRAFLUOROETHYLENE RESINS AND THEIR
  MANUFACTURE
GB2102821A
DE1216541B