Autonomously growing implantable device

Abstract

An implantable, autonomously growing medical device is disclosed. The device may have an outer, braided outer element that holds an inner core. Degradation and/or softening of the inner core permits the outer element to elongate, allowing the device to grow with surrounding tissue. The growth profile of the medical device can be controlled by altering the shape/material/cure conditions of the inner core, as well as the geometry of the out element.

1 - 33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . An implantable device, comprising:
 an outer sleeve having a length, the outer sleeve being configured to be coupled to tissue located at an implantation site; and   an inner core disposed within the outer sleeve,   wherein the inner core is degradable, and wherein presence of the inner core limits the length of the outer sleeve.   
     
     
         35 . The implantable device of  claim 34 , wherein the inner core comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         36 . The implantable device of  claim 34 , wherein the outer sleeve is water permeable. 
     
     
         37 . The implantable device of  claim 34 , wherein the outer sleeve comprises a braided element. 
     
     
         38 . The implantable device of  claim 37 , wherein the outer sleeve comprises a biaxially braided element. 
     
     
         39 . The implantable device of  claim 37 , wherein the outer sleeve comprises a triaxially braided element. 
     
     
         40 . The implantable device of  claim 37 , wherein the braided element comprises a plurality of individual strands, and wherein each of the plurality of individual strands are braided. 
     
     
         41 . The implantable device of  claim 37 , wherein the outer sleeve has a pitch of 20 to 70 picks per inch. 
     
     
         42 . The implantable device of  claim 34 , wherein the outer sleeve is configured to be coupled to the implantation site through use of at least one of sutures, mechanical fasteners, and adhesive. 
     
     
         43 . The implantable device of  claim 34 , wherein the inner core is formed as a single piece. 
     
     
         44 . The implantable device of  claim 34 , wherein the inner core comprises a plurality of separate pieces. 
     
     
         45 . The implantable device of  claim 34 , wherein the outer sleeve comprises a tubular sleeve. 
     
     
         46 . The implantable device of  claim 34 , wherein the inner core comprises a polymer comprising:
 a Young's Modulus of greater than 5 MPa; and   a crosslinking density of 600 to 12,000 mols per cubic meter,   wherein the polymer is formed from curing a poly(glycerol sebacate) pre-polymer in vacuum at a temperature of 140° C. to 160° C. for 40 to 100 hours.   
     
     
         47 . An implantable device, comprising:
 an outer sleeve configured to be coupled to tissue located at an implantation site; and   an inner core disposed within the outer sleeve,   wherein the inner core is degradable, and wherein presence of the inner core sets the diameter of the outer sleeve.   
     
     
         48 . The implantable device of  claim 47 , wherein the inner core comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         49 . The implantable device of  claim 47 , wherein the outer sleeve is water permeable. 
     
     
         50 . The implantable device of  claim 47 , wherein the outer sleeve comprises a braided element. 
     
     
         51 . The implantable device of  claim 50 , wherein the outer sleeve comprises a biaxially braided element. 
     
     
         52 . The implantable device of  claim 50 , wherein the outer sleeve comprises a triaxially braided element. 
     
     
         53 . A method of using an implantable device, comprising:
 providing an outer sleeve and an inner core disposed within the outer sleeve, the outer sleeve having a length; and   coupling the outer sleeve to tissue located at an implantation site,   wherein the inner core is degradable, and wherein presence of the inner core limits the length of the outer sleeve.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein the step of coupling the outer sleeve to the tissue comprises passing sutures through the outer sleeve and the tissue.