Abstract: A stent incorporating flexible, preferably polymeric, connecting elements into the stent wherein these elements connect adjacent, spaced-apart stent elements. Preferably the spaced-apart adjacent stent elements are the result of forming the stent from a helically wound serpentine wire having space provided between adjacent windings. Other stent forms such as multiple, individual spaced-apart ring-shaped or interconnected stent elements may also be used. The connecting elements are typically web-shaped and result from creating slits or apertures in a covering of graft material applied to the stent and then, for example, applying heat to cause the slits or apertures to enlarge. The remaining graft material forms the interconnecting webs between the adjacent stent elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to flexible breathable polyurethane coatings and films and to the prepolymers from which they are formed. These prepolymers are isocyanate-capped poly (alkylene oxide) glycol polyurethanes with low viscosities and low freezing points. The difunctional nature of the random copolymers of ethylene oxide and prepylene oxide added to simple diols provide the low viscosity and low freezing points; high levels of ethylene oxide in the polyol provides the breathability.

Abstract: A percutaneous implant device is provided which is stable, biocompatible, substantially infection-free and provides a long-term port of entry into the body, the device having an easy-to-use, effective, contamination-resistant capping and valving system for the exchange of fluids into and out of the body. The device comprises a nonporous biocompatible conduit having an attached flange, the flange having a top and a bottom. In the preferred embodiment, at the top of the flange, where the flange and conduit connect, the conduit emerges from the flange, necks inwardly and then flares outwardly forming an hourglass configuration. Above this neck the conduit forms substantially a right-angle bend, the conduit then extending substantially parallel to the skin. The device is implanted in the body such that the flange is below the surface of the skin. The flange preferably is covered with a porous, biologically inert material which permits growth of connective tissue and vascularization.

Abstract: Reactive, 100 percent solids, segmented, phase-separating polyurethane prepolymers are provided, being the reaction products of:(i) a polyol (A) having a number average molecular weight of from about 600 to about 3500 and having a functionality of at least 2;(ii) an isocyanate (B) having a functionality of at least 2; and(iii) a low molecular weight chain extender (C) having a molecular weight in a range lower than about 500 and having a functionality of at least 2,characterized in that the above reactants are employed in such proportions as to satisfy the following equations: ##EQU1##Eq.sub.OH .gtoreq.Eq.sub.CE (b)Eq.sub.CE >O, (c)wherein Eq.sub.NCO is the equivalents of the isocyanate species employed, and Eq.sub.OH and Eq.sub.CE denote the equivalents, respectively, of the polyol and chain extender.