Method of placing a tubular membrane on a structural frame
US7485141B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 28, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 19, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2230/0054
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates to a medical device, and more particularly to a method of forming a tubular membrane on a radially expandable structural frame. In one aspect, a structural frame is placed over a spinning mandrel and a fiber is electro-statically spun over at least a portion of the structural frame forming a membrane. A transfer sheath may be used between the mandrel and structural frame to prevent the electrostatically spun fiber from adhering to the mandrel. In another aspect, a first membrane is spun over the mandrel before the structural frame is placed over the mandrel. In this aspect, at least a portion of the structural frame is sandwiched between the membranes. The membrane or membranes and structural frame form a fiber spun frame assembly. The fiber spun frame assembly may be coated with an elastic polymer. In addition, the membrane or membranes may go through some post processing to achieve desired characteristics or configurations.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.