| abstract |
A vascular patch (20) for closing an incision in a blood vessel includes a base layer (32) of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) having an outer coating of an elastomeric, biocompatible material (34) such as polyurethane to minimize suture hole bleeding. Suture guidelines (28) are formed upon the ablumenal side of the PTFE base layer prior to application of the elastomeric coating to facilitate proper and consistent placement of sutures. A colorant is added to the elastomeric coating to identify the ablumenal side of vascular patch. |