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.

1 . An implantable medical device comprising: 
 a support frame;    a porous membrane attached to said support frame; and 
 a dry hydrophilic substance in pores of said porous membrane,  
   whereby said porous membrane rapidly becomes translucent or transparent to ultrasonic imaging on contact with an aqueous medium.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is a cardiovascular device.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous medium comprises DI water.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the aqueous medium comprises human blood.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the porous membrane comprises an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the hydrophilic substance comprises polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the PVA is complexed with a cross-linking agent.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the hydrophilic substance comprises polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the PVA is complexed with a cross-linking agent  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is a septal defect closure device.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is a stent-graft.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is an embolic filter.  
     
     
         13 . An implantable device comprising: 
 a support frame;    a porous membrane of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene attached to the support frame; and    a dry a polyvinyl alcohol material complexed with a cross-linking agent in pores of the porous membrane,    whereby the porous membrane rapidly becomes translucent or transparent to ultrasonic imaging on contact with an aqueous medium.    
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the device is a cardiovascular device.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the device is a septal defect closure device.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the membrane contains a barrier layer.  
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the barrier layer is impervious to fluid transmission.  
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16  wherein the barrier layer allows transmission of ultrasound.