ABSTRACT

CONTENTS 12.1 Introduction ................................................................................................175 12.2 Early Development of Synthetic Vascular Grafts.................................176 12.3 Evolution in the Use of Synthetic Absorbable Polymers

for Vascular Grafts and Patches ..............................................................176 12.4 New Approaches to the Development of Vascular Grafts

and Allied Devices ....................................................................................178 12.4.1 General ............................................................................................178 12.4.2 Absorbable Grafts .........................................................................178 12.4.3 Partially Absorbable Vascular Grafts and Wraps ....................179 12.4.4 Vascular Wraps or Patches ..........................................................183

12.5 Contemporary Vascular Applications of Absorbable Polymers ........184 12.5.1 Absorbable Femoral Sealing Devices.........................................184 12.5.2 Absorbable Stent Mantle..............................................................185 12.5.3 Absorbable Sealant/Drug Carrier for