Apparatus and methods for conduits and materials

摘要

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for a conduit, such as an implantable conduit for a vessel. The conduit may comprise a main member and a side-branch member. The conduit may be implanted with the side-branch member initially disposed within the main member. When positioned, the side-branch member may then be extended from within the main member and into a vessel side-branch. The materials for the conduit may include circumferentially distensible and/or low recoil materials. The materials for the conduit may be constructed by various techniques and may include materials with enhanced flexibility and kink resistance.

主权项

1. A method for making a conduit, comprising:
providing on one of a mandrel and a rod an underlayer; bonding a plurality of layers including a least one layer of a polyethylene material to form a tube while the plurality of layers are positioned over the underlayer; treating the tube at least one of thermally and physically to provide the tube with desired characteristics; removing the underlayer from under the tube; and removing the tube from the one of the mandrel or the rod; wherein the underlayer comprises a film helically wrapped about the one of the mandrel and the rod and the step of removing the underlayer from under the tube comprises pulling a free end of the underlayer from under the tube.