POROUS IMPLANT WITH EFFECTIVE EXTENSIBILITY AND METHODS OF FORMING AN IMPLANT

摘要

The implant includes an outer layer of ePTFE which exhibits extensibility normally not associated with ePTFE. The ePTFE is reduced in length by deforming the fibrils between the nodes while maintaining the nodes in a substantially flat configuration. Various implant configurations that can include the outer layer described are also disclosed.

主权项

1. A method of forming an implant, comprising the steps of:
providing a layer of ePTFE and an inner element, the layer having a width and a length, the layer of ePTFE comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of fibrils extending between the nodes; reducing the length of the ePTFE layer while the ePTFE layer remains a substantially flat sheet; and attaching the layer of ePTFE to the inner element after the reducing step.