Importance

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Abstract

The method for forming a biocompatible polymer graft particularly adapted for cardiovascular use comprises the steps of: choosing a suitable, non-solvent, two component, hydrophobic biocompatible polymer system from which the graft may be formed; choosing a suitable water soluble inorganic salt to be compounded with the biocompatible polymer system; grinding the salt crystals and passing same through a sieve having a predetermined mesh size; drying the salt crystals; compounding the salt crystals with the biocompatible polymer system; forming a tube from said compounded salt and polymer system by reaction injection or cast molding; and leaching the salt crystals from the formed tube with water, said leaching of said salt crystals providing a tube with a network of interconnecting cells formed in the area from which the salt crystals have been leached. Further, according to the present invention, there is also provided a graft particularly adapted for cardiovascular use, said graft comprising a tube which has been reaction injection molded, cast molded, or extruded from a non-solvent, two component hydrophobic biocompatible polymer system and which has a honeycomb of interconnecting cells throughout the thickness of its wall formed by the leaching of a compounded inorganic salt therefrom.

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First Claim