Inflation media for implants

Abstract

An inflatable implant is disclosed. The inflatable implant comprises at least one inflation channel for forming an inflatable structure of the inflatable implant; and an inflation media disposed within the at least one inflation channel, wherein the inflation media comprises a mixture of an epoxy resin and a hardener, the mixture is configured to gel at about 37° C. in less than about 2.5 hours after mixing to form a gelled mixture.

1 . A inflatable implant comprising
 at least one inflation channel for forming an inflatable structure of the inflatable implant; and   an inflation media disposed within the at least one inflation channel, wherein the inflation media comprises a mixture of an epoxy resin and a hardener, the mixture is configured to have an average viscosity of less than about 100 cps at about 37° C. over the first 10 minutes after mixing, and gel at about 37° C. in less than about 2.5 hours after mixing to form a gelled mixture.   
     
     
         2 . The inflatable implant of  claim 1 , wherein the gelled mixture has a tensile strength of greater than about 20 MPa when fully hydrated. 
     
     
         3 . The inflatable implant of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture reaches at least about 70% cure in less than 20 hours. 
     
     
         4 . The inflatable implant of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture exhibits less than about 10% creep when it is substantially completely cured. 
     
     
         5 . The inflatable implant of  claim 1 , wherein the mixture has a fatigue life longer than about 600 million cycles when loaded at 1.5 MPa. 
     
     
         6 . The inflatable implant of  claim 1 , wherein the surface of the inflatable implant is maintained at a temperature below 42° C. 
     
     
         7 . The inflatable implant of  claim 1 , wherein
 the epoxy resin comprising a first compound having at least one N,N-bis(oxiran-2-ylmethyl)aniline segment and a second compound having at least two oxirane groups on a backbone of no more than five carbons; and   the hardener comprising at least one cycloaliphatic amine.   
     
     
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         24 . A prosthetic valve implant delivery system comprising:
 a deployment catheter comprising an inflation tube and a prosthetic valve comprising an inflatable structure in communication with the inflation tube; and   an inflation media of any one of  claim 1  for inflating the inflatable structure through the inflation tube.   
     
     
         25 . The prosthetic valve implant delivery system of  claim 24 , wherein the deployment catheter has an inner diameter of 18 French. 
     
     
         26 . A method of implanting a prosthetic valve within the heart, the method comprising:
 translumenally advancing a prosthetic valve comprising an inflatable structure to a position proximate a native valve of the heart;   mixing the epoxy resin and the hardener in the inflation media of any one of  claim 1  to form an epoxy mixture; and   inflating the inflatable structure with the epoxy mixture.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the epoxy mixture is formed ex-vivo and delivered to the inflatable structure. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the epoxy mixture has an initial viscosity of less than about 50 cps after mixing, and is soluble in an aqueous environment. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the epoxy mixture has a tensile strength of greater than about 40 MPa after becoming fully hydrated. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the epoxy mixture cures to a semi-solid gel in less than about 4 hours at about 37° C. 
     
     
         31 . A method of treating a patient, comprising:
 advancing a deployment catheter to a position proximate a native valve of the heart, the deployment catheter comprising an inflation tube and a prosthetic valve comprising an inflatable structure in communication with the inflation tube;   deploying the prosthetic valve at the cardiovascular site;   inflating the inflatable structure with an epoxy mixture comprising the inflation media of any one of  claim 1  through the inflation tube; and   detaching the deployment catheter from the prosthetic valve and removing the deployment catheter from the patient.