Armored graft material structure and method

Abstract

The techniques of this disclosure generally relate to applying an armor coating to a graft material. The armor coating is armor, impermeable to fluid, and elastic. The armor coating seals openings within the graft material eliminating passage of fluid through the graft material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A prosthesis comprising:
 a graft material having a variable permeability; and   an armor coating on the graft material, the armor coating being impermeable to fluid.   
     
     
         2 . The prosthesis of  claim 1  wherein the graft material comprises filaments, wherein openings exist between the filaments, the armor coating sealing the openings. 
     
     
         3 . The prosthesis of  claim 2  wherein the armor coating comprises a filling coating within the openings. 
     
     
         4 . The prosthesis of  claim 1  wherein the graft material comprises an outer surface, the armor coating comprising an outer coating on the outer surface. 
     
     
         5 . The prosthesis of  claim 4  wherein the graft material further comprises an inner surface, the armor coating comprising an inner coating on the inner surface. 
     
     
         6 . The prosthesis of  claim 1  wherein the graft material comprises an inner surface, the armor coating comprising an inner coating on the inner surface. 
     
     
         7 . The prosthesis of  claim 1  wherein the graft material comprises:
 a proximal zone; 
 a transition zone; and 
 a leg zone, the transition zone having a greater porosity than the proximal zone and the leg zone, the armor coating being on the transition zone. 
 
     
     
         8 . The prosthesis of  claim 1  wherein the graft material comprises polyester terephthalate and the armor coating comprises poly(glycerol sebacate). 
     
     
         9 . The prosthesis of  claim 1  wherein the armor coating comprises a non-degrading elastomeric material. 
     
     
         10 . A prosthesis comprising:
 a graft material comprising a suture opening;   stitching extending through the suture opening; and   an armor coating sealing the suture opening.   
     
     
         11 . The prosthesis of  claim 10  wherein a diameter of the suture opening is greater than a diameter of the stitching. 
     
     
         12 . The prosthesis of  claim 10  wherein the armor coating is elastic. 
     
     
         13 . The prosthesis of  claim 12  wherein the armor coating stretches around the stitching. 
     
     
         14 . The prosthesis of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a stent-ring coupled to the graft material by the stitching. 
 
     
     
         15 . The prosthesis of  claim 14  wherein the armor coating is between the stent-ring and the graft material. 
     
     
         16 . The prosthesis of  claim 14  wherein the armor coating covers the stent-ring. 
     
     
         17 . The prosthesis of  claim 10  further comprising a stitched seam, the stitching holding the stitched seam together. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 applying an armor coating to a graft material comprising sealing openings between filaments of the graft material with the armor coating.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising:
 passing stitching through the graft material comprising forming a suture opening in the graft material, wherein the armor coating seals the suture opening. 
 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the passing stitching through the graft material comprises coupling a stent-ring to the graft material with the stitching.