Abstract
A fabric vascular prosthesis was developed that had a special structure impregnated with ultrafine polyester fiber. As a basic matrix for the prosthesis, a fabric tube made of normal-sized polyester fibers was prepared. A stainless steel rod was inserted into the fabric tube, which was then covered with a non-woven fabric sheet made of ultrafine polyester fibers. This combination was subjected to a high pressure water jet in order to force the ultrafine fibers to enmesh into the interstices of the normal polyester fibers of the basic fabric tube. Finally, the prosthesis was thermally set to give itself a crimped structure for kink resistance. During the process, it was possible to control the water permeability by changing the amount of ultrafine fiber covering the basic fabric tube. The prepared prosthesis was soft and pliable. The morphological structure of the prosthesis was checked by scanning electron microscopy. The wall of the basic fabric tube was completely impregnated with the ultrafine fibers, which were completely entangled with the normal polyester fibers. With this water-jet preparation, the original fabric tube acquired a veneer of ultrafine fibers not only on both the luminal and external surfaces, but also inside the prosthesis wall itself. Because the ultrafine fibers were so entangled, that the cut edge of the prosthesis had excellent fray resistance. Thus the prosthesis was unique as a vascular prosthesis with high resistance to fraying at the cut edge.
