摘要:
A method for producing ionically cross-linked gellan gum includes dissolving the material in a first liquid solution that includes a dissolving liquid. The first liquid solution is applied to a workpiece to form a polysaccharide-based coating on the workpiece. The coating is dried to remove a substantial portion of the dissolving liquid. Subsequent to drying, the coating is exposed to a second liquid solution that includes a compound that promotes ionic cross-linking of the coating. In the preferred embodiment, the dissolving liquid comprises water and possibly a polar solvent. The ionic cross-linking compound preferably comprises a divalent cation such as calcium (Ca2+), or possibly strontium (Sr2+), magnesium (Mg2+), barium (Ba2+), or other multivalent ions. Such a method forms a uniform ionically cross-linked film and/or coating for diverse applications, including medical devices such as implantable vascular grafts, stent-grafts and/or stents.
摘要:
A stent-graft for insertion into a body lumen, such as a blood vessel, is utilized in order to repair such lumen. The stent-graft includes a substantially cylindrical hollow expandable stent comprising a plurality of interconnected struts. The stent has a distal end and a proximal end, and an interior surface and an exterior surface. At least one strut of the stent has first and second apertures extending therethrough from the interior surface to the exterior surface. The stent-graft also includes a graft member covering a predetermined portion of least one of the interior surface and the exterior surface of the stent. In addition, the stent-graft further includes a staple for attaching the graft member to the stent. The staple has a crown and two legs extending therefrom. At least one of the legs of the staple extends through the graft material and through the first aperture. Both of the legs are bent inwardly towards said crown such that they evert back and extend through the second aperture.