Abstract: The present invention provides a soft-tissue prosthesis which is formed from a tubular textile substrate and a liner. The liner is affixed to the intraluminal surface of the tubular textile portion of the soft-tissue prosthesis to form a fluid-tight barrier on the intraluminal surface of the prosthesis. The liner is preferably formed from a polymer. Thus, the soft-tissue prosthesis formed in accordance with the present invention provides the advantages of both a textile prosthesis and a polymer prosthesis.

Abstract: An implantable microporous ePTFE tubular vascular graft exhibits long term patency, superior radial tensile strength and suture hole elongation resistance. The graft includes a first ePTFE tube and a second ePTFE tube circumferentially disposed over the first tube. The first ePTFE tube exhibits a porosity sufficient to promote cell endothelization tissue ingrowth and healing. The second ePTFE tube exhibits enhanced radial strength in excess of the radial tensile strength of the first tube.

Abstract: Continuously flat-woven implantable tubular prostheses have seamless woven sections which gradually change the number of warp yarns to smoothly transition, i.e., taper, from one diameter to another. Multi-diameter endoluminal grafts having a variety of shapes and configurations are made using a seamless weaving process without unacceptable voids or gaps in the tubular wall.

Abstract: An implantable medical device such as an intraluminal prosthetic device is formed by an improved manufacturing process. A generally cylindrical mandrel is provided. A reverse image of the prosthesis is engraved into a portion of the mandrel. The reverse image of the prosthesis defines voids and raised surface areas in the mandrel portion. A prosthesis-forming metallic medium is electrochemically deposited into the reverse image of the mandrel. The metallic medium may be a metal, metal alloy or a metal compound. The mandrel including the prosthesis-forming medium thereon is further processed to separate the prosthesis formed by the prosthesis-forming medium from the mandrel by dissolving the mandrel. The process provides greater design freedom in the formation of flexible expandable stents.

Abstract: A medical instrument with a hydrophilic, low-friction coating is provided. The guidewire includes a metallic core which includes a first layer of a water-insoluble polymer deposited from an aqueous polymer emulsion, such as an acrylic or polyether block amide latex and a second external layer of a water soluble hydrophilic polymer. The guide wire may also include on the metal core a polymer tube which is heat sealed to the exterior surface of the core. The first and second coatings are then formed on the polymer tube. After the two layers are applied, both layers are cured by heating the coated instrument to a temperature above 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A bio-active coating composition is described which is the reaction product of two different reactions. The first reaction includes reacting a bio-compatible polymer backbone having .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carbonyl functionality with a hydrophilic spacer having at least one reactive functional group at its first and second ends. In this reaction, one of the reactive functional groups of the spacer reacts with a .beta.-carbon of the carbonyl functionality to bond the spacer to the polymer backbone. The second reaction includes reacting a bio-active agent with a remaining unreacted reactive functional group of the spacer in the presence of an optional catalyst to covalently bind the bio-active agent to the spacer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a soft tissue prosthesis which is formed from a three-dimensional braided structure. The three-dimensional braided structure preferably may be made in the form of a solid three-dimensional braid, a three-dimensional braid having at least one interlocking yarn coupling contiguous layers or in the form of a plurality of two-dimensional braided layers adhesively laminated, separately sewn or otherwise connected together to form the three-dimensional braided prosthesis.

Abstract: A medical device having a bio-active coating is prepared by providing a polymeric substrate having hydroxyl and/or amine functionality on a surface thereof and applying the bio-active coating to the surface. The bio-active coating is the reaction product of two different reactions. The first reaction includes reacting the polymeric substrate with a hydrophilic, isocyanate-terminated spacer having at least one isocyanate group at its first and second ends. The second reaction includes reacting a remaining, unreacted isocyanate-terminated end of the spacer with a bio-active agent to bond the bio-active agent to the spacer.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis comprising an expanded polytetraethylene member having pores present in its wall structure wherein said pores contain a solid insoluble biocompatible, biodegradable material of natural origin. A process of preparing said prostheses is also disclosed.

Abstract: A substrate such as a catheter or a guide wire is provided with a lubricous, hydrophilic abrasion-resistant coating by:a) coating said substrate with a first aqueous coating composition comprising an aqueous dispersion or emulsion of a polymer having organic acid functional groups and a polyfunctional crosslinking agent having functional groups capable of reacting with organic acid groups, and drying the coating to obtain a substantially water-insoluble coating layer having excess polyfunctional including functional groups being reactive with organic acid groups remaining, andb) contacting the dried coating layer obtained in a) with a second aqueous coating composition comprising an aqueous solution or dispersion of a hydrophilic polymer having organic acid functional groups, and drying the combined coating, the hydrophilic polymer thereby becoming bonded to the polymer of the first coating composition through the excess crosslinking agent.The drying can be carried out at ambient (room) temperature.

Abstract: A thinly woven textile prosthetic implant such as a vascular graft may be implanted by catheter implantation. The implant includes an elongate tubular body formed of a woven fabric having a fabric thickness no greater than about 0.16 mm. The tubular body includes a series of longitudinally spaced wave-like generally uniform crimps along the length thereof. The crimps are disposed at a fine pitch along the length of the tubular body. The amplitude of the crimps is relatively small thus reducing the formation of thrombus and plaque on the inside of the implant.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vascular prosthesis which comprises a braided tubular fabric comprising a plurality of braid layers wherein each layer includes at least one interlocking yarn which extends from that layer into another layer to form an interlock therewith. In one aspect of the invention, the plurality of braid layers may include a substantially non-absorbable first surface layer and a substantially resorbable second surface layer.

Abstract: A delivery system for transcutaneous insertion is capable of uniform gas sterilization. The delivery system includes a gas permeable elongated tubular catheter having an inner lumen and a gas permeable elongated tubular outer sheath axially surrounding the outer catheter. An implantable endoprosthesis is supported between the catheter and the outer sheath. The entire system including the catheter, sheath and endoprosthesis may be uniformly gas sterilized.

Abstract: An implantable prosthesis comprising an expanded polytetraethylene member having pores present in its wall structure wherein said pores contain a solid insoluble biocompatible, biodegradable material of natural origin. A process of preparing said prostheses is also disclosed.

Abstract: A radially expandable tubular prosthesis which allows for controlled expansion in a circumferential direction following implantation while limiting expansion in a longitudinal direction. The prosthesis is particularly suited to intraluminal implantation via a catheter and is also particularly suited for percutaneous implantation in children.

Abstract: An improved dilation balloon for securement to a catheter. The balloon includes an elastomeric skin having a constraining structure affixed thereto. The constraining structure allows radial expansion between an uninflated diameter D.sub.defL and an inflated diameter D.sub.infL. The minimum inflation pressure can be calculated based on the chosen elastomer D.sub.infL and D.sub.defL.

Abstract: An implantable microporous ePTFE tubular vascular graft exhibits long-term patency, superior radial tensile strength, reduction in tear propagation, and increases in suture retention strength and crush resistance. The graft includes an ePTFE tubular structure having a preselected microporous structure. The tubular structure is wrapped externally with a PTFE yarn in a helical fashion. The helical wrap of yarn is bonded to the exterior surface of the tubular structure by application of heat or heat in combination with force to form a composite structure which substantially maintains the porosity of the underlying tubular structure while increasing the suture retention strength, radial tensile strength, crush resistance, and tear propagation resistance.

Abstract: An intraluminally implantable stent is formed of helically wound wire. The stent has a generally elongate tubular configuration and is radially expandable after implantation in a body vessel. The wire includes successively formed waves along the length of the wire. When helically wound into a tube, the waves are longitudinally nested along the longitudinal extent of the stent so as to form a densely compacted wire configuration. After radial expansion the stent maintains high radial compressive strength and wire density to retard tissue ingrowth.

Abstract: A radially self-expanding implantable intraluminal device formed from a hollow tubular braid. The intraluminal device may be used in a variety of medical procedures which require a passageway to be maintained in an open position or which require reinforcement, support or a bypass conduit such as in blood vessels weakened by disease. The intraluminal device is longitudinally expanded or radially collapsed for ease of insertion into a lumen and upon alignment within the lumen, the intraluminal device radially self-expands to come into intimate contact with the inner surface of the lumen.

Abstract: A flexible implantable luminal device is disclosed, which is made from a porous cylindrical tube manufactured from extruded fluoropolymer. A fluoropolymer filament is wrapped helically around the external surface of the tube. The filament is fused to the tube to form a unitary composite structure by heating the wrapped tube to a temperature above the melting points of the fluoropolymers. The resulting composite is a radially reinforced flexible luminal prosthesis suitable for implantation, particularly, as a vascular graft or endoprosthesis. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing the prosthesis.