Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
318 words
A tubular stented graft which is alternately deployable in a radially compact configuration having a first diameter and a radially expanded configuration having a second diameter, said stented graft comprising: a) a stent comprising: i) at least one member formed in a generally cylindrical shape having an outer surface and a hollow bore which extends longitudinally therethrough to define an inner surface; ii) said stent being initially radially collapsible to a diameter which is substantially equal to said first diameter of the stented graft, and subsequently radially expandable to a diameter which is substantially equal to said second diameter of the stented graft; and, iii) a plurality of lateral openings existing in said stent when said stent is at its radially expanded second diameter; b) a continuous, tubular PTFE covering formed on said stent, said PTFE covering comprising: i) a tubular inner base graft formed of expanded, sintered PTFE, said tubular base graft having an outer surface and an inner surface, said tubular base graft being deployed coaxially within the hollow bore of said stent such that the outer surface of the tubular base graft is in contact with the inner surface of the stent, and the inner surface of said tubular base graft thereby defining a luminal passageway through the stented graft; and, ii) a tubular outer layer formed of expanded, sintered PTFE tape which has a width of less than about 1 inch, said tape having been wound about the outer surface of said stent to create said tubular outer layer thereon, such that said stent is captured between said outer layer and said tubular base graft; said tubular outer layer being attached to said tubular base graft, through said lateral openings in said stent, to thereby form an integrally stented, continuous PTFE tube which is alternately disposable in said radially compact configuration of said first diameter and said radially expanded configuration of said second diameter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
318 words
A tubular stented graft which is alternately deployable in a radially compact configuration having a first diameter and a radially expanded configuration having a second diameter, said stented graft comprising: a) a stent comprising: i) at least one member formed in a generally cylindrical shape having an outer surface and a hollow bore which extends longitudinally therethrough to define an inner surface; ii) said stent being initially radially collapsible to a diameter which is substantially equal to said first diameter of the stented graft, and subsequently radially expandable to a diameter which is substantially equal to said second diameter of the stented graft; and, iii) a plurality of lateral openings existing in said stent when said stent is at its radially expanded second diameter; b) a continuous, tubular PTFE covering formed on said stent, said PTFE covering comprising: i) a tubular inner base graft formed of expanded, sintered PTFE, said tubular base graft having an outer surface and an inner surface, said tubular base graft being deployed coaxially within the hollow bore of said stent such that the outer surface of the tubular base graft is in contact with the inner surface of the stent, and the inner surface of said tubular base graft thereby defining a luminal passageway through the stented graft; and, ii) a tubular outer layer formed of expanded, sintered PTFE tape which has a width of less than about 1 inch, said tape having been wound about the outer surface of said stent to create said tubular outer layer thereon, such that said stent is captured between said outer layer and said tubular base graft; said tubular outer layer being attached to said tubular base graft, through said lateral openings in said stent, to thereby form an integrally stented, continuous PTFE tube which is alternately disposable in said radially compact configuration of said first diameter and said radially expanded configuration of said second diameter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said PTFE tape has a thickness of less than 0.015 inch and wherein said tape has been wound about said stent in overlapping fashion, such that said tubular outer layer comprises 1 to 10 layers of said tape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said tape is helically wrapped about said stent.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The stented graft of claim 3 wherein said tape has a width of 1/2 inch, and wherein said tape is helically wrapped such that 6-8 revolutions of tape are applied per longitudinal inch of the stented graft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The stented graft of claim 4 wherein said helical wrapping of said tape is applied twice, first in one direction and then in the opposite direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The stented graft of claim 5 wherein said helical wrappings of said tape form an outer tubular layer which is made up of 8 consecutive layers of said tape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said stent is a self-expanding stent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
The stented graft of claim 7 wherein said self-expanding stent comprises a shape memory alloy which alternately exists in first and second crystalline states, and wherein the stent will assume it's radially expanded configuration when said shape memory alloy is in it's first crystalline state, and will assume it's radially compact configuration when said shape memory alloy is in it's second crystalline state.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said stent is a pressure-expandable stent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said self-expanding stent is formed of a multiplicity of wire members which are braided into said generally cylindrical shape, and wherein said lateral openings in the stent are formed by gaps which exist between adjacent wire members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The stented graft of claim 10 wherein said wire members are formed of a metal alloy wherein the alloying residue is iron and wherein the iron is alloyed with at least one other element selected from the group consisting of: a) cobalt; b) chromium; c) nickel; and, d) molybdnenium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
The stented graft of claim 10 wherein some of the wire members of said stent are helically wound about a longitudinal axis in a first direction, and others of said wire members are helically wound about said longitudinal axis in a second direction such that they cross on opposite sides of the wire members which had been wound in the first helical direction, thereby forming a helically braided, cylindrical, wire stent.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
43 words
The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said stent is formed of a multiplicity of plastic members which are braided into said generally cylindrical shape, and wherein said lateral openings in the stent are formed by gaps which exist between adjacent plastic members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The stented graft of claim 13 wherein said plastic members are formed of a plastic selected from the group consisting of: polytetrafluoroethylene; fluorinated ethylene propylene; polytetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer; polyvinyl chloride; polypropylene; polyethylene terephthalate; broad fluoride; and, other biocompatable plastics.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said tubular base graft comprises expanded, sintered PTFE of less than 0.10 inch thickness.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said tubular base graft comprises expanded, sintered PTFE having a density of less than 1.6 g/cc.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The stented graft of claim 1 wherein tubular base graft comprises expanded, sintered PTFE having a thickness of less than 0.10 inches and a density of less than 1.6 g/cc.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said tubular outer layer has a thickness of less than 0.1 inch.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The stented graft of claim 18 wherein said PTFE tape has a thickness of less than 0.015 inches, said tape being wrapped about said stent in overlapping fashion so as to form said tubular outer layer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said PTFE tape has a density of less than 1.6 g/cc.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said tubular outer layer has a thickness of less than 0.1 inch and the PTFE tape has a density of less than 1.6 g/cc.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said stent further comprises: iv) a polymer coating formed on said stent.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The stented graft of claim 22 wherein the polymer coating formed on said stent is of a polymer material selected from the group consisting of: polytetrafluoroethylene; fluorinated ethylene propylene; polytetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer; polyvinyl chloride; polypropylene; polyethylene terephthalate; polyvinylidene fluoride; and, other biocompatable plastics.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
The stented graft of claim 22 wherein said polymer coating was applied to said stent by the steps of: immersing the stent in a liquid polymer dispersion; removing the stent from the liquid polymer dispersion; drying that liquid polymer dispersion which has remained on the stent, thereby forming said polymer coating thereon.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The stented graft of claim 22 wherein said polymer coating was formed on the stent by electron beam deposition.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
The stented graft of claim 22 wherein said stent is formed of a plurality of elongate members, and wherein said polymer coating was formed on said elongate members by positioning a polymer tube around each elongate member.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The stented graft of claim 22 wherein said base graft and said tubular outer layer are adherent to the polymer coating which is formed on said stent.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
The stented graft of claim 1 wherein said graft further comprises: iv) polymer particles deposited between said inner base graft and said outer tubular layer and subsequently melted to promote attachment of said tubular base graft to said tubular outer layer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The stented graft of claim 28 wherein said polymer particles are PTFE.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stented graft of claim 28 wherein said polymer particles are melted by heat.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stented graft of claim 29 wherein said polymer particles are melted by solvent.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The stented graft of claim 28 wherein said polymer particles are deposited by applying a liquid polymer particle dispersion to one of said base graft and said tubular outer layer, prior to assembly thereof.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
55 words
The stented graft of claim 28 wherein said polymer particles are deposited between said tubular base graft and said tubular outer layer by applying a liquid dispersion of polymer particles to the exterior of said tubular outer layer, such that the polymer particles contained within the dispersion will migrate inwardly through the tubular outer layer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
321 words
A tubular stented graft which is alternately deployable in a radially compact configuration having a first diameter and a radially expanded configuration having a second diameter, said stented graft comprising: a) a stent comprising: i) at least one member formed in a generally cylindrical shape having an outer surface and a hollow bore which extends longitudinally therethrough to define an inner surface; ii) said stent being initially radially collapsible to a diameter which is substantially equal to said first diameter of the stented graft, and subsequently radially expandable to a diameter which is substantially equal to said second diameter of the stented graft; and, iii) a plurality of lateral openings existing in said stent when said stent is at its radially expanded second diameter; b) a continuous, tubular PTFE covering formed on said stent, said PTFE covering comprising: i) a tubular inner base graft formed of expanded, sintered PTFE, said tubular base graft having an outer surface and an inner surface, said tubular base graft being deployed coaxially within the hollow bore of said stent such that the outer surface of the tubular base graft is in contact with the inner surface of the stent, and the inner surface of said tubular base graft thereby defining a luminal passageway through the stented graft; and, ii) a tubular outer layer formed of expanded, sintered PTFE tape which has a thickness of less than 0.015 inches, said tape being wrapped about the outer surface of said stent in overlapping fashion so as to form said tubular outer layer, such that said stent is captured between said outer layer and said tubular base graft; c) said tubular outer layer being attached to said tubular base graft, through said lateral openings in said stent, to thereby form an integrally stented, continuous PTFE tube which is alternately disposable in said radially compact configuration of said first diameter and said radially expanded configuration of said second diameter.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
321 words
A tubular stented graft which is alternately deployable in a radially compact configuration having a first diameter and a radially expanded configuration having a second diameter, said stented graft comprising: a) a stent comprising: i) at least one member formed in a generally cylindrical shape having an outer surface and a hollow bore which extends longitudinally therethrough to define an inner surface; ii) said stent being initially radially collapsible to a diameter which is substantially equal to said first diameter of the stented graft, and subsequently radially expandable to a diameter which is substantially equal to said second diameter of the stented graft; and, iii) a plurality of lateral openings existing in said stent when said stent is at its radially expanded second diameter; b) a continuous, tubular PTFE covering formed on said stent, said PTFE covering comprising: i) a tubular inner base graft formed of expanded, sintered PTFE, said tubular base graft having an outer surface and an inner surface, said tubular base graft being deployed coaxially within the hollow bore of said stent such that the outer surface of the tubular base graft is in contact with the inner surface of the stent, and the inner surface of said tubular base graft thereby defining a luminal passageway through the stented graft; and, ii) a tubular outer layer formed of expanded, sintered PTFE tape which has a thickness of less than 0.015 inches, said tape being wrapped about the outer surface of said stent in overlapping fashion so as to form said tubular outer layer, such that said stent is captured between said outer layer and said tubular base graft; c) said tubular outer layer being attached to said tubular base graft, through said lateral openings in said stent, to thereby form an integrally stented, continuous PTFE tube which is alternately disposable in said radially compact configuration of said first diameter and said radially expanded configuration of said second diameter.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
331 words
A tubular stented graft which is alternately deployable in a radially compact configuration having a first diameter and a radially expanded configuration having a second diameter, said stented graft comprising: a) a stent comprising: i) at least one member formed in a generally cylindrical shape having an outer surface and a hollow bore which extends longitudinally therethrough to define an inner surface; ii) said stent being initially radially collapsible to a diameter which is substantially equal to said first diameter of the stented graft, and subsequently radially expandable to a diameter which is substantially equal to said second diameter of the stented graft; and, iii) a plurality of lateral openings existing in said stent when said stent is at its radially expanded second diameter; b) a continuous, tubular PTFE covering formed on said stent, said PTFE covering comprising: i) a tubular inner base graft formed of expanded, sintered PTFE, said tubular base graft having an outer surface and an inner surface, said tubular base graft being deployed coaxially within the hollow bore of said stent such that the outer surface of the tubular base graft is in contact with the inner surface of the stent, and the inner surface of said tubular base graft thereby defining a luminal passageway through the stented graft; and, ii) a tubular outer layer formed of expanded, sintered PTFE, said outer layer being disposed about the outer surface of said stent such that said stent is captured between said outer layer and said tubular base graft; and, c) polymer particles deposited between said inner base graft and said outer tubular later and subsequently melted to promote attachment of said tubular base graft to said tubular outer layer; said tubular outer layer being attached to said tubular base graft, through said lateral openings in said stent, to thereby form an integrally stented, continuous PTFE tube which is alternately disposable in said radially compact configuration of said first diameter and said radially expanded configuration of said second diameter.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
331 words
A tubular stented graft which is alternately deployable in a radially compact configuration having a first diameter and a radially expanded configuration having a second diameter, said stented graft comprising: a) a stent comprising: i) at least one member formed in a generally cylindrical shape having an outer surface and a hollow bore which extends longitudinally therethrough to define an inner surface; ii) said stent being initially radially collapsible to a diameter which is substantially equal to said first diameter of the stented graft, and subsequently radially expandable to a diameter which is substantially equal to said second diameter of the stented graft; and, iii) a plurality of lateral openings existing in said stent when said stent is at its radially expanded second diameter; b) a continuous, tubular PTFE covering formed on said stent, said PTFE covering comprising: i) a tubular inner base graft formed of expanded, sintered PTFE, said tubular base graft having an outer surface and an inner surface, said tubular base graft being deployed coaxially within the hollow bore of said stent such that the outer surface of the tubular base graft is in contact with the inner surface of the stent, and the inner surface of said tubular base graft thereby defining a luminal passageway through the stented graft; and, ii) a tubular outer layer formed of expanded, sintered PTFE, said outer layer being disposed about the outer surface of said stent such that said stent is captured between said outer layer and said tubular base graft; and, c) polymer particles deposited between said inner base graft and said outer tubular later and subsequently melted to promote attachment of said tubular base graft to said tubular outer layer; said tubular outer layer being attached to said tubular base graft, through said lateral openings in said stent, to thereby form an integrally stented, continuous PTFE tube which is alternately disposable in said radially compact configuration of said first diameter and said radially expanded configuration of said second diameter.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The stented graft of claim 35 wherein said polymer particles are PTFE.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stented graft of claim 35 wherein said polymer particles are melted by heat.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stented graft of claim 35 wherein said polymer particles are melted by solvent.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
34 words
The stented graft of claim 35 wherein said polymer particles are deposited by applying a liquid polymer particle dispersion to one of said base graft and said tubular outer layer, prior to assembly thereof.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
55 words
The stented graft of claim 35 wherein said polymer particles are deposited between said tubular base graft and said tubular outer layer by applying a liquid dispersion of polymer particles to the exterior of said tubular outer layer, such that the polymer particles contained within the dispersion will migrate inwardly through the tubular outer layer.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
315 words
A tubular stented graft which is alternately deployable in a radially compact configuration having a first diameter and a radially expanded configuration having a second diameter, said stented graft comprising: a) a stent formed in a generally cylindrical shape having an outer surface and a hollow bore which extends longitudinally therethrough to define an inner surface, the stent having an initially radially collapsed state with a diameter which is substantially equal to said first diameter, and a radially expanded state with a diameter which is substantially equal to said second diameter, and wherein a plurality of lateral openings are formed in said stent in its radially expanded state; b) a continuous, tubular PTFE covering formed on said stent, said PTFE covering comprising: i) a tubular inner base graft formed of expanded, sintered PTFE, said tubular base graft having an outer surface and an inner surface, said tubular base graft being deployed coaxially within the hollow bore of said stent such that the outer surface of the tubular base graft is in contact with the inner surface of the stent, and the inner surface of said tubular base graft thereby defining a luminal passageway through the stented graft; and, ii) a tubular outer layer formed of expanded, sintered PTFE, said outer layer being disposed about the outer surface of said stent such that said stent is captured between said outer layer and said tubular base graft; and, c) PTFE particles deposited between said inner base graft and said outer tubular later and subsequently melted to promote attachment of said tubular base graft to said tubular outer layer; said tubular outer layer being attached to said tubular base graft, through said lateral openings in said stent, to thereby form an integrally stented, continuous PTFE tube which is alternately disposable in said radially compact configuration of said first diameter and said radially expanded configuration of said second diameter.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
315 words
A tubular stented graft which is alternately deployable in a radially compact configuration having a first diameter and a radially expanded configuration having a second diameter, said stented graft comprising: a) a stent formed in a generally cylindrical shape having an outer surface and a hollow bore which extends longitudinally therethrough to define an inner surface, the stent having an initially radially collapsed state with a diameter which is substantially equal to said first diameter, and a radially expanded state with a diameter which is substantially equal to said second diameter, and wherein a plurality of lateral openings are formed in said stent in its radially expanded state; b) a continuous, tubular PTFE covering formed on said stent, said PTFE covering comprising: i) a tubular inner base graft formed of expanded, sintered PTFE, said tubular base graft having an outer surface and an inner surface, said tubular base graft being deployed coaxially within the hollow bore of said stent such that the outer surface of the tubular base graft is in contact with the inner surface of the stent, and the inner surface of said tubular base graft thereby defining a luminal passageway through the stented graft; and, ii) a tubular outer layer formed of expanded, sintered PTFE, said outer layer being disposed about the outer surface of said stent such that said stent is captured between said outer layer and said tubular base graft; and, c) PTFE particles deposited between said inner base graft and said outer tubular later and subsequently melted to promote attachment of said tubular base graft to said tubular outer layer; said tubular outer layer being attached to said tubular base graft, through said lateral openings in said stent, to thereby form an integrally stented, continuous PTFE tube which is alternately disposable in said radially compact configuration of said first diameter and said radially expanded configuration of said second diameter.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stented graft of claim 41 wherein said PTFE particles are melted by heat.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The stented graft of claim 41 wherein said PTFE particles are melted by solvent.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
34 words
The stented graft of claim 41 wherein said PTFE particles are deposited by applying a liquid polymer particle dispersion to one of said base graft and said tubular outer layer, prior to assembly thereof.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
55 words
The stented graft of claim 41 wherein said PTFE particles are deposited between said tubular base graft and said tubular outer layer by applying a liquid dispersion of polymer particles to the exterior of said tubular outer layer, such that the polymer particles contained within the dispersion will migrate inwardly through the tubular outer layer.