Abstract: A non-porous coated PTFE graft includes a PTFE tube having a conventional porous inner cylindrical wall and a non-porous elastomeric coating applied over at least a portion of the outer cylindrical wall of the PTFE tube to render such portion of the outer cylindrical wall non-porous. The elastomeric coating is made of polyurethane or another biocompatible non-porous elastomer and precludes tissue ingrowth into the outer cylindrical wall, minimizes suture hole bleeding, and increases suture retention strength, while reducing the incidence of serous weepage. The elastomeric coating is preferably applied by mounting the PTFE tube upon a mandrel of like diameter and either dip coating or spray coating all, or selected portions, of the PTFE tube with liquified polyurethane. After the polyurethane coating is completely dried, the non-porous vascular graft is removed form the mandrel and is ready for use.

Abstract: A vascular patch for closing an incision in a blood vessel includes a base layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) having an outer coating of an elastomeric, biocompatible material such as polyurethane to minimize suture hole bleeding. Suture guidelines are formed upon the ablumenal side of the PTFE base layer prior to application of the elastomeric coating to facilitate proper and consistent placement of sutures. A colorant is added to the elastomeric coating to identify the ablumenal side of the vascular patch. The vascular patch is made by mounting an expanded PTFE tube upon a mandrel and applying a water based PTFE ink as a helical stripe about the outer surface of the PTFE tube to form the suture guidelines. The striped PTFE tube is then dip-coated or spray-coated with the elastomeric coating to which the colorant has been added. The PTFE tube is slit to form a flat sheet from which vascular patches are cut.

Abstract: A vascular patch for closing an incision in a blood vessel includes a base layer of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) having an outer coating of an elastomeric, biocompatible material such as polyurethane to minimize suture hole bleeding. Suture guidelines are formed upon the ablumenal side of the PFTE base layer prior to application of the elastomeric coating to facilitate proper and consistent placement of sutures. A colorant is added to the elastomeric coating to identify the ablumenal side of the vascular patch. The vascular patch is made by mounting an expanded PTFE tube upon a mandrel and applying a water based PFTE ink as a helical stripe about the outer surface of the PTFE tube to form the suture guidelines. The striped PTFE tube is then dip-coated or spray-coated with the elastomeric coating to which the colorant has been added. The PTFE tube is slit to form a flat sheet from which vascular patches are cut.

Abstract: A longitudinally compliant PTFE graft is provided by compressing at least a portion of a porous PTFE tube along its longitudinal axis and coating at least the outer wall of the compressed portion of the PTFE tube with a biocompatible elastomer for allowing the compressed portion of the tube to be stretched along the longitudinal axis. The PTFE tube is compressed by pulling the tube over a cylindrical mandrel of like diameter and applying a compression force to the tube along its longitudinal axis. The compressed portion(s) is (are) secured against movement upon the mandrel, and a coating of liquified polyurethane or other biocompatible elastomer is then applied over at least the compressed portion(s) of the tube. The elastomeric coating may be applied by dip coating or spray coating techniques. After the elastomeric coating has dried, the completed graft is removed from the mandrel.