Ultrathin Microfiber Lining for Artificial Organs

Abstract

An ultrathin nonwoven fabric has been developed for use as a lining in artificial organs. Its function is to anchor a living lining of healthy tissue which will act as a blood compatible interface to prevent traumatic blood/device interac tions. The fabric is only about 0.001 in. (25 microns) thick and consists of polypropylene microfibers only about 1 micron in diameter. The fiber network is bonded, reinforced, and rendered suitable for attachment of tissue cells by a vapor deposited conformal coating of Parytene C. 'I'he microfibers are formed by coextrusion of polypropylene with an incompatible ethylene copolymer salt in the form of an oriented thin film. Extraction of the second component, followed by transverse drafting, yields the nonwoven fabric. Special techniques have been developed for modifying the porosity of the mie rofiber network.