Implantable product with improved aqueous interface characteristics and method for making and using same

Abstract

An implantable medical device including a porous membrane that is treated with a hydrophilic substance to obtain rapid optimum visualization using technology for viewing inside of a mammalian body. These technologies include ultrasound echocardiography and video imaging such as that used during laparoscopic procedures.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for implantation comprising 
 a porous membrane supported by a support frame forming an implantable device;    the porous membrane containing a hydrophilic substance adapted to rapidly wet-out the porous membrane upon contact with an aqueous solution.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is configured for cardiovascular implantation.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein wet-out occurs within 5 seconds of immersion in an aqueous solution.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the aqueous solution comprises DI water.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the aqueous solution comprises human blood.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the porous membrane comprises an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the hydrophilic substance comprises polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the PVA is cross-linked in place.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7  wherein wet-out occurs within 5 seconds of immersion in an aqueous solution.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophilic substance comprises polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the PVA is cross-linked in place.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 10  wherein wet-out occurs within 5 seconds of immersion in an aqueous solution.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is configured to serve as a septal defect closure device.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is configured to serve as a stent-graft.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is configured to serve as an embolic filter.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is effectively transparent to ultrasound imaging.  
     
     
         17 . An implantable device comprising 
 a porous membrane of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene;    a dry hydrophilic treatment applied to the porous membrane comprising a polyvinyl alcohol that is cross-linked in situ;    wherein the porous membrane wets-out within 5 seconds of exposure to an aqueous solution of DI water so that the porous expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane becomes entirely translucent.    
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the membrane is attached to a frame.  
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18  wherein the device is configured for cardiovascular implantation.  
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19  wherein the device is configured to serve as a septal defect closure device.  
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 17  wherein the membrane contains a barrier layer.  
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 21  wherein the barrier layer is impervious to fluid transmission.  
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 21  wherein the barrier layer allows transmission of ultrasound.