US5584876A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cell excluding sheath for vascular grafts
Assignee: W.L. Gore and Associates Inc
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Filing: 1994-04-29
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Granted: 1996-12-17
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Expires: 2014-04-29
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to a sheath for use with vascular prostheses derived from donor blood vessels, particularly mammalian blood vessels. A vascular prosthesis of the present invention employs an external sheath around a donor blood vessel. The sheath prevents access to the donor vessel wall by host cells originating from perigraft tissue. While resistant to host cell ingrowth, the external sheath is permeable to the flux of macromolecules across its thickness. The exclusion of host cells by the external sheath and the bi-directional flow of macromolecules through the external sheath assists in maintaining the original function of the underlying donor vascular tissue of the prosthesis.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Bruchman
- 👤 Anita J. Switzer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 06:40
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L27/00; A61L27/14; A61L27/16; A61L27/28; A61L27/34; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/04; A61F2/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
51 words
A vascular graft in the form of a covered blood vessel which comprises: a sheath surrounding a blood vessel derived from a donor; wherein the sheath comprises a microporous material; and wherein the sheath serves as a barrier to external cellular ingrowth into the blood vessel, while being permeable to macromolecules.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
51 words
A vascular graft in the form of a covered blood vessel which comprises: a sheath surrounding a blood vessel derived from a donor; wherein the sheath comprises a microporous material; and wherein the sheath serves as a barrier to external cellular ingrowth into the blood vessel, while being permeable to macromolecules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The covered blood vessel of claim 1 wherein the sheath permits the flow of macromolecules therethrough up to a molecular weight of approximately 2,000,000 MW.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The covered blood vessel of claim 1 wherein the microporous polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of at least one of polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene terepthalate, fluorinated ethylene propylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, and siloxane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The covered blood vessel of claim 1 wherein the sheath comprises an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A vascular graft in the form of a covered blood vessel which comprises: a blood vessel derived from a donor; a sheath of microporous polymeric material, the microporous polymeric material excludes cell ingrowth and cell passage therethrough; wherein the sheath contains the donar blood vessel to reinforce the blood vessel and to protect the blood vessel along its length from ingrowth of host cells, while allowing the passage of water and macromolecules through the sheath.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
A vascular graft in the form of a covered blood vessel which comprises: a blood vessel derived from a donor; a sheath of microporous polymeric material, the microporous polymeric material excludes cell ingrowth and cell passage therethrough; wherein the sheath contains the donar blood vessel to reinforce the blood vessel and to protect the blood vessel along its length from ingrowth of host cells, while allowing the passage of water and macromolecules through the sheath.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for producing a vascular graft which comprises: providing a blood vessel derived from a donor, providing a sheath comprising a microporous polymeric material comprised of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene that excludes cell passage therethrough, while allowing the flow of water and macromolecules through the sheath; covering the blood vessel with the sheath so as to reinforce the blood vessel and to protect the blood vessel along its length from ingrowth of host cells, while allowing the flow of water and macromolecules through the sheath.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for producing a vascular graft which comprises: providing a blood vessel derived from a donor, providing a sheath comprising a microporous polymeric material comprised of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene that excludes cell passage therethrough, while allowing the flow of water and macromolecules through the sheath; covering the blood vessel with the sheath so as to reinforce the blood vessel and to protect the blood vessel along its length from ingrowth of host cells, while allowing the flow of water and macromolecules through the sheath.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-17 | 2000-06-17 | 2000-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-17 | 2004-06-17 | 2004-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-17 | 2008-06-17 | 2008-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |