POROUS POLYURETHANE VASCULAR PROSTHESES WITH VARIABLE COMPLIANCES

A new technique for the preparation of porous vascular prostheses was investigated. Polyurethane solution (5 to 15 wt%) was injected into a mold. After freezing at low temperature (0-degrees-C - 196-degrees-C), solvents were dissolved out with water at 0-degrees-C to form porous tubes. The average pore size (several microns to 70 mum), pore occupation (10% to 51%), and compliance (3% to 35%) were easily changed by changing polyurethane concentration, freezing temperature, and freezing methods. Compliances could be decreased gradually by heat treatment. This technique can give a proper pore size (30-60 mum) for tissue ingrowth, and a suitable compliance for matching with arteries and veins. This method might give a desired compliant graft for artificial implantation with the presently valid medical polymers.