Implantable product with improved aqueous interface characteristics and methods for making and using the 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.